AAA reports Gas Prices Fall for Twenty Consecutive Days
January 30, 2017
Tampa, FL – Increased U.S. crude oil production and lower gasoline demand has kept downward pressure on the national average price at the pump, which has fallen for 20 consecutive days.
Today’s national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $2.22 per gallon, down eight cents versus last week, a decline of 7 cents compared to one month ago and 41 cents more per gallon year-over-year.
Seasonal demand pushes gas prices lower but refinery maintenance may cause prices to rebound
AAA says 78% of Tennesseans will Travel in 2017
January 14, 2017
Knoxville, TN – All signs are pointing to a busy year for vacationers and the travel industry. According to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse™ survey, 78 percent of Tennesseans are planning to take a vacation in 2017 – with most planning trips to warm weather destinations in the U.S. and abroad.
Almost three out of four (72%) Tennessee travelers will take one to three vacations in 2017, with the highest percentage of trips (41%) planned during the period of April-June.
AAA says Year-End Holidays to set New Travel Record
December 18, 2016
Tampa, FL – More than 103 million Americans will travel for the year-end holidays, according to AAA’s Year-End Holiday Travel Forecast. This represents a 1.5 percent increase, or 1.5 million more travelers than last year, and the highest total volume since AAA began tracking holiday travel data in 2001.
“This will be the most-traveled year-end holiday season on record, particularly for those who drive,” said Joseph J. Richardson Jr., President and CEO, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “If you are planning a road trip, now is the time to get your vehicle inspected. Look for a facility displaying the ‘AAA Approved Auto Repair’ sign to ensure a trustworthy inspection that could catch any problems before they arise.”
American Heart Association says Preterm Birth leads to Smaller Kidneys, Higher Blood Pressure in Adulthood
September 25, 2016
American Heart Association Meeting Report Abstract 134
Orlando, FL – Premature birth cuts short kidney development, resulting in smaller kidney size and higher blood pressure in adulthood, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Council on Hypertension 2016 Scientific Sessions.
“Adults born preterm may not present with the ‘classical’ risk factors for heart disease, but they are at increased risk of hypertension and insulin resistance and certainly require regular medical follow-up,” said Anne Monique Nuyt, M.D., senior author of the study and head of the division of neonatology at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital and Research Center of the University of Montreal, Canada.
Being born extremely early leads to smaller kidneys and higher blood pressure in adulthood. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association reports Sound Therapy may balance brain signals to reduce Blood Pressure, Migraines
September 22, 2016
American Heart Association Meeting Report Abstracts P310, P602
Orlando, FL – A noninvasive neurotechnology, which uses sound to balance right- and left-side brain frequencies was associated with lowered blood pressure, improved heart rate variability, and reduced symptoms of migraine headaches, according to two small studies presented at the American Heart Association’s Council on Hypertension 2016 Scientific Sessions.
The neurotechnology, called High-resolution, relational, resonance based, electroencephalic mirroring, or HIRREM® (Brain State Technologies, Scottsdale, Arizona), uses sensors placed on the scalp to measure brain electrical activity, and detect right/left imbalances, or hyperarousal, according to study author Hossam A. Shaltout, R.Ph., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Hypertension and Vascular Research Center at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Spectrograph presenting brain electrical activity before HIRREM sessions. (Dr. Charles H. Tegeler, MD, Department of Neurology, Wake Forest School of Medicine)
Lowering blood pressure’s top number could prevent 100,000-plus deaths a year
September 21, 2016
American Heart Association Meeting Report Abstract 241
Orlando, FL – More than 100,000 deaths could be prevented annually if adults with specific common risk factors for heart disease would engage in an intensive program to lower systolic blood pressure, the top number in your blood pressure reading, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Council on Hypertension 2016 Scientific Sessions.
Researchers used the findings from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). which was released in 2015.
Blood pressure cuff. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says Genetically-Modified Probiotic may one day treat Pulmonary Hypertension
September 20, 2016
American Heart Association Meeting Report Abstract 9
Orlando, FL – An oral, genetically-modified strain of the probiotic Lactobacillus was used to treat rats with high blood pressure in the lungs, which resulted in reduced blood pressure, improved heart contractility, and reduced heart wall thickness, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Council on Hypertension 2016 Scientific Sessions.
High blood pressure in the lungs is known as pulmonary hypertension. In pulmonary hypertension, the heart must work harder to pump blood from the heart through the arteries of the lungs, which puts added strain on the heart.
An oral, genetically-modified strain of the probiotic Lactobacillus was used to treat rats with high blood pressure in the lungs, which resulted in reduced blood pressure, improved heart contractility, and reduced heart wall thickness. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says Bystander CPR on Kids has increased, survival odds improve for some
November 20, 2015
American Heart Association Meeting Report
Orlando, FL – Bystander CPR on kids is increasing and is improving survival from cardiac arrest outside the hospital, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Researchers analyzed 2,176 children (infants to age 18) with cardiac arrest, drawn from a key national registry of 80 million people representing 55 communities in 23 states in the United States. The Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) registry tracks characteristics and impact of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
American Heart Association reports College Football Linemen face greater risk of Heart Problems
November 19, 2015
American Heart Association Meeting Report
Orlando, FL – College freshmen who play football linemen positions may face a greater risk of specific heart problems than other players, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Session 2015.
Researchers analyzed the effect of playing American football on the heart in 87 college athletes from pre-season to post-season.
Heart Illustration. (American Heart Association)
American Heart Association says short bursts of high-intensity exercise does more for Type 2 Diabetes
November 18, 2015
American Heart Association Meeting Report
Orlando, FL – Short bursts of high-intensity exercise improved cholesterol, blood sugar and weight among Type 2 diabetes patients more than 30 minutes of sustained, lower-intensity exercise, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2015.
Researchers found that after three months of high-intensity exercise in 10-minute bursts done three times per day, five days a week, led to an average 0.82 percent decrease in three-month blood sugar patterns compared with just 0.25 percent among those who performed more sustained, lower-intensity exercise also five times per week.
Short bursts of high-intensity exercise improved cholesterol, blood sugar and weight among Type 2 diabetes patients more than 30 minutes of sustained, lower-intensity exercise.(American Heart Association)
