Cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty explains that many heart attacks in India are silent, with nearly 50% of patients having no symptoms, especially diabetics. He emphasizes that feeling healthy doesn't guarantee a healthy heart and urges routine screenings for early detection.
A study of over 112,000 participants found that high intake of non-antioxidant preservatives was linked to a 29% higher risk of hypertension and a 16% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Eight specific preservatives were associated with increased hypertension risk.
A new issue of the American Journal of Public Health reveals how tobacco companies like Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds used strategies developed for selling cigarettes to market ultra-processed foods (UPFs), including Lunchables, to children. These strategies focused on optimizing formulations for rapid reward and creating addictive products. UPFs are linked to increased risks of dementia, cognitive decline, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.
A study of over 320,000 adults in South Korea found that living in areas with more parks and green spaces significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The protective effect was more pronounced in large cities, suggesting parks act as crucial public health infrastructure.
This opinion piece urges the EU to shift cardiovascular disease policy from late-stage treatment to earlier detection and prevention. It highlights how respiratory infection vaccinations can reduce major cardiac events by over one-third, while early screening for Type 1 diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases could transform outcomes. The author calls for the upcoming Council recommendations on health checks and immunization to include expanded EU vaccination targets and integrated screening, backed by Multiannual Financial Framework funding.
