Calls for Lower Sodium Food Grow
February 3, 2012
Consumers Union Urges FDA to Limit Sodium Levels in Food
Washington, D.C. – When it comes to sodium levels in food, consumers are asking the food industry for just a pinch. Nearly 7,000 consumers joined Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports, in a recent petition supporting regulatory efforts to set national, industry-wide targets to reduce sodium in processed and restaurant foods. [Read more]
American Heart Month reminds us what we can do to beat the No. 1 killer
February 1, 2012
Nashville, TN – Today is the start of American Heart Month and it’s a good time to look at the statistics – and how we can improve them.
Cardiovascular disease is still the No. 1 killer of men and women, killing about 800,000 Americans each year, and nearly 20,000 right here in Tennessee. That’s more than the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. [Read more]
Grief over losing loved one linked to higher heart attack risks
January 12, 2012
Dallas, TX – Your risk of heart attack may increase during the days and weeks after the death of a close loved one, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
“Caretakers, healthcare providers, and the bereaved themselves need to recognize they are in a period of heightened risk in the days and weeks after hearing of someone close dying,” said Murray Mittleman, M.D., Dr.P.H., a preventive cardiologist and epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and School of Public Health’s epidemiology department in Boston, MA. [Read more]
A Pap Test and a Vaccine May Save Your Life
January 11, 2012
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
Nashville, TN – January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and the Tennessee Department of Health is urging all women to get screened for cervical cancer in 2012. Cervical cancer is a silent killer that strikes without symptoms or pain until the disease is in the most advanced stage.
“The survival rate is almost 100 percent for women whose cervical cancer is found at an early stage. Deaths from cervical cancer could be decreased dramatically through the combination of vaccination and regular Pap testing,” Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, said. “We urge all women to get screened for cervical cancer and talk to their health care providers about ways to prevent and reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer.” [Read more]
9-1-1 dispatchers can save more lives by coaching bystanders in CPR
January 10, 2012
Dallas, TX – More people will survive sudden cardiac arrest when 9-1-1 dispatchers help bystanders assess victims and begin CPR immediately, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
In the 2010 resuscitation guidelines, the association advised 9-1-1 dispatchers to help bystanders assess anyone who may have had a cardiac arrest and then direct them to begin CPR. [Read more]
Resolve to Quit Smoking for Better Health
January 8, 2012
Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine Offers FREE Support to Residents Who Want to Quit
Nashville, TN – Start the new year by making healthy lifestyle changes such as eating better, getting more physical activity and quitting smoking. While quitting can be difficult, it can be done, especially with the help of professional support. Tennesseans have a greater chance of quitting for good and keeping their New Year’s resolution with help from the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, a free coaching service available to all adult Tennesseans who wish to stop using tobacco.
“Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health and the health of your family, and we’re eager to support any Tennessean who wants to take up this challenge,” Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, said. “Research shows smokers who use counseling as part of their quit program have a better chance of quitting. We encourage all Tennesseans ready to start a tobacco-free life to take full advantage of the free resources the QuitLine provides.” [Read more]
Starting a 2012 resolution diet? Beware of health-related scams
January 4, 2012
Nashville, TN – With the start of the new year, the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s Consumer Affairs division is kicking off “Don’t Get Scammed in 2012.” Through the campaign, the department hopes to prevent consumers from falling prey to schemes. The 2012 “Don’t Get Scammed” calendar (http://1.usa.gov/AhoK3P) and similarly themed brochure (http://1.usa.gov/u5UCUY) are filled with information on a variety of scams.
One of the scams consumers should be aware of this month are diet scams. During the New Year’s holiday, you probably saw ads that claimed you could lose 30 pounds in 30 days, block the absorption of fat and carbs by taking a pill or melt away pounds by wearing a patch. If those ads sound too good to be true, they just might be. [Read more]
Prepare Your Family for Flu Season
December 28, 2011
Washington, D.C. – Coughing, sneezing, and high fever – just the thought of all these symptoms can send you into a panic. Even though it’s cold and flu season now, there are ways you can prepare yourself and your family to avoid it as much as possible.
www.Flu.gov provides a variety of resources about the different types of flu strains, where you can get shots, and prevention and treatment options. [Read more]
“Emma” and “William” take Top Spots as Tennessee’s Most Popular Baby Names for 2011
December 28, 2011
Nashville, TN – William’s the winner for five years running, but Tennessee parents of new baby girls have put Emma back in the top slot on the list of most popular names for children born in 2011.
While the most popular names for both girls and boys born in Tennessee remain largely unchanged from the previous year, new names have made their way into the top 10 on both lists this year. [Read more]
Middle-age blood pressure changes affect lifetime heart disease, stroke risk
December 21, 2011
Dallas, TX – An increase or decrease in your blood pressure during middle age can significantly impact your lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to research in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Researchers found people who maintained or reduced their blood pressure to normal levels by age 55 had the lowest lifetime risk for CVD (between 22 percent to 41 percent risk). In contrast, those who had already developed high blood pressure by age 55 had a higher lifetime risk (between 42 percent to 69 percent risk). [Read more]
