Houston was ranked the most stressful city for workers in the U.S. Here are some ways to cope.

Working long hours bookended by long commutes, Houstonians are more stressed than average. In fact, Houston is the most stressful city in the country for workers, according to a recent study by LLC.org, which provides market research and resources for entrepreneurs. The study found that workers in Houston are on the road for nearly an [Continue Reading]

Ali Vise

Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure, and many aren’t aware of the risks. Here’s how to keep it from causing serious health problems.

High blood pressure doesn’t usually cause symptoms on its own, so many people don’t realize they have it — or they aren’t aware of the risks of ignoring it. In fact, nearly half of adults in the United States have hypertension, but only about one in four adults with hypertension have their condition under control, [Continue Reading]

Ali Vise

Should kids play contact sports? The risks of concussions and heart issues are real, but so are the benefits, physicians say.

By Jennifer Latson It’s extremely uncommon for an athlete to go into sudden cardiac arrest while playing a sport, as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin did during a football game on Jan. 2. But when it happens, parents face a grim reminder of the dangers of contact sports — and some wonder how to keep [Continue Reading]

Ali Vise

Small Incisions, Big Benefits: How treatment for heart valve disease is becoming less invasive and more accessible

By Jennifer Latson Heart valve disease affects about 2.5 percent of the population, or more than eight million Americans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, causing more than 25,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. It’s especially prevalent among older people, since the heart valves can become lined with calcium deposits [Continue Reading]

Ali Vise

Great-grandmother with atrial fibrillation receives groundbreaking procedure to remove need for blood thinners

Great-grandmother Penny Null, 75, is an avid gardener, baker and quilter. On most days, you can find her at home doing what she loves most. She cooks fresh bread from scratch, often two loaves per week. She patiently cares for her huge garden, freely giving out her canned produce, including green beans, creamed corn and [Continue Reading]

Ali Vise

Restarting a Heart: In cases of cardiac arrest, quick intervention can save a life — even if you have no medical training.

By Jennifer Latson When someone’s heart stops beating, acting quickly can mean the difference between life and death. More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals each year, according to the American Heart Association, and 90 percent of those sudden cardiac arrests prove fatal. But they don’t have to be. Immediate CPR, or cardiopulmonary [Continue Reading]

Ali Vise