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It’s not you, it’s your genes: the hidden cause of heart disease in black women

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Imagine evolving in your health and wellness journey by specializing in a heart-healthy lifestyle through dietary adjustments, increased physical activity, and drinking your favorite glasses of wine in moderation. However, despite following suggested suggestions for optimal cardiovascular health, you discover that you just are still in danger for heart disease and the root cause lies in your DNA.

For black women especially, genes, or what runs in the family, have a major impact on our heart health. Amidst the plethora of discussions about maintaining a healthy heart, one key aspect has often been ignored of the conversation: lipoprotein(a), commonly often called Lp(a).

Lp(a) is a specialized type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol in the blood and could be very different from other, more common forms.

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“This particular type is genetic and increases the risk of heart disease regardless of diet and exercise,” says Keith C. Ferdinand, M.D., a cardiology specialist and professor of medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine. “And because it is genetic, it can put you at risk of premature or sudden heart disease or stroke.”

The complexities of Lp(a) add to an already complex discussion about the risk of heart disease in black women, who, based on the American Heart Association, are 60 percent more likely than white women to have hypertension – one of the leading causes of heart disease.

Research suggests that black and South Asian women are inclined to have higher average levels of Lp(a) in comparison with other ethnic groups, and although Ferdinand says there is no such thing as a specific research to grasp why these groups are most affected , it presents a Theoretical Perspective.

“There are certain genetic tendencies that may have been protective before modern times, but are now considered a disease,” he says. “Perhaps lipoprotein(a) has some protective factors that we cannot identify. Since it increases blood clotting and humans developed in sub-Saharan Africa, it may have been beneficial to have a substance that would speed up blood clotting following injury, a fall or childbirth.”

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Nevertheless, it reminds us that this is barely a theory, as research on Lp(a) is restricted to the point that awareness amongst doctors and clinicians is comparatively recent.

“Traditionally, Lp(a) is not measured when checking cholesterol levels,” says Ferdinand. “But now that physicians are learning that it is a serious driver of heart disease, clinicians are increasingly recognizing the need to include Lp(a) testing in standard cardiovascular risk assessments.”

Because Lp(a) testing is not yet common, she underscores how essential it’s for Black women to advocate for themselves by asking to be tested during regular checkups — especially in the event that they have a family history of premature disease.

“Shared decision-making and conversations between the patient and the doctor can help identify risks and determine whether to be tested for Lp(a),” he says. “That’s why it’s important that you and your doctor know and understand your family history of heart disease.”

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While it could actually be disheartening to understand that chances are you’ll still be liable to heart disease despite doing the “right thing,” all is not lost. There are some proactive measures you may take to enhance your overall heart health, not directly impacting your Lp(a) risk.

Ferdinand advises individuals who may imagine they’re predisposed to elevated Lp(a) levels to proceed to keep up a healthy weight, avoid smoking, select healthy foods and drinks, and interact in regular physical activity.

So this February, during American Heart Health Month, tackle more proactive cardiovascular health in a special way. Find out more about your family medical history and confer with your doctor about testing your Lp(a) levels. These measures can have a major impact on your heart health journey and should even be life-saving.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Hypertension, diabetes associated with Alzheimer’s disease in Black Americans

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The recent study showed that there is a chain response for black Americans who’ve been diagnosed with diabetes and middle -aged hypertension. Scientists from the University of Georgia Study said that black Americans who’re The diagnosed each conditions have a greater risk of developing degenerative diseases comparable to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Scientists analyzed over 252 black Americans at middle -aged family and social health research living in Georgia or Iów. Participants, from whom diagnosis was diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or each attracted blood in the years 2008–2019. Almost 10 years later, scientists found that participants from each conditions had a much higher biomarker level associated with dementia over 10 years later.

“This study shows that chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, especially in combination, can begin to destroy the brain earlier than we thought, especially in the case of this group,” Rachael Weaver, Study correspondent and graduate in UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Sociology “, published in an announcement.

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Cardiovascular health may even be an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease

According to scientists, diabetes and hypertension are sometimes not the one indicators of degenerative brain diseases in the long run. Cardiovascular health also plays an infinite role. Although itself from these diagnoses doesn’t indicate a dramatic neurological effect, each results in striking results.

“The study sends a clear message: Earlier steps to control high blood pressure and diabetes can help protect African Americans from brain degeneration and reduce the risk of dementia later in life,” added Karlo Lei, a study co -author and extraordinary professor on the Sociology Department of College Franklin College.

Compared to other racial-ethnic groups, black Americans show accelerated brain aging starting in middle-aged. They also show higher indicators and an earlier starting of dementia and are ultimately more liable to Alzheimer’s disease.

Early intervention in these chronic health conditions can significantly protect brain health and reduce the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases in African Americans in later life.

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Rondell Sheridan asks for help in paying medical accounts after the hospitalization of pancreatitis

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Rondell Sheridan undergoes health challenges. Beloved television dad, who played Raven-Symone’s father in the series, fights pancreatitis and has received love from fans since he revealed his health.

In the film on Instagram recorded from the hospital bed, Sheridan told his fight against pancreatitis.

The actor said that on April 10 he fell in poor health and went to the hospital, and the doctors thought there was a stomach. After returning home on April 12, he went to the hospital again, it was said that it was pancreatitis and was hospitalized for nine days.

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“I was released and thought that I was on my way to recovery, but … my pancreas is inflammatory and you can not do much for it, but just wait,” said Rondell.

Due to his current disease, the actor is liable to be unemployed and demands financial support from fans. Sheridan shared his own Gofundme account With a goal $ 35,000, which has already crossed.

In the signature of the film on Instagram explaining his health, the actor wrote: “Go to the Gofundme link in my biography and distribute information. Every donation that you can convey is very welcome.”

The actor’s friend, Isabel Beyoso, founded a fundraiser of Gofundme money. In the description of the fundraiser, she explained why Sheridan needs financial support.

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“My name is Isabel Beyoso and I create this site on behalf of my very expensive friend Rondell Sheridan, because last month he was admitted to the hospital last month due to an extremely serious case of pancreatitis. He was not able to work from April 12, 2025 and he would not be able to return to work in an incurable future.”

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is inflammatory and could cause severe abdominal pain. Other warning signs include nausea, fever, indigestion, fast heart rate and shallow respiration.

The health condition is liable to be acute or chronic, but after untreated, it’ll probably result in organ failure. The two most important causes of pancreatitis are gallstones and heavy drinking.

Wishing Sheridan a fast recovery and hoping to get support, he needs this challenge.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Bindi Irwin was taken to the hospital for a appendix surgery. But what is appendicitis?

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Bindi Irwin was supposedly He was rushing to the hospital In the United States, undergo an emergency surgery in the case of a cracked appendix.

According to brother Robert Irwin, “It’ll be all right“However, the 26-year-old was forced to leave the annual gala event to honor her deceased father Steve Irwin.

So what is the role of the attachment and in what circumstances can it break? Here’s what you desire to to to to to to to to discover about appendicitis.

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What is the add -on?

The add -on is a finger -like bag attached to the large intestine. It may thoroughly be found on the right side of our lower abdomen.

For a very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very long time there was a theory that the attachment was an evolutionary remnant which could play a role in the digestion of our ancestors, but was not very useful for modern people after modern diets.

However, emerging studies have shown that the appendix can play a role in the immune function and the microbiome of the body, especially in the intestines. The intestinal microbiome may thoroughly be disturbed by infection or antibiotics, and the appendix may help the intestinal flora Complete and recuperate.

To say, most people who need to remove a appendix to treat appendicitis are completely good.

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What is appendicitis and what are the symptoms?

Appendicitis is often a bacterial infection. Most often, appendicitis begins with blocking the add -on, caused, for example, by a hardened piece of stool or swelling. After blocking, the bacteria in the attachment aren’t cleaned as usual, but accumulate. This, in turn, leads to inflammation and infection of the attachment, and in some cases the attachment can crack or crack.

The more time before the treatment of a person with appendicitis, the greater the risk may crack the appendix.

Symptoms of appendicitis grow to be more serious because the appendix becomes more inflammatory.
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The crack is more common in children, which suggests roughly One quarter of all cases. This is especially for younger children who may not have words to describe their symptoms and mustn’t show classic symptoms which could delay the diagnosis.

But even in adults, sometimes symptoms may thoroughly be difficult to recognize other things.

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Usually, early symptoms of appendix may thoroughly be unclear and might thoroughly be easily mistaken for something else, for example, viral gastritis and intestinal inflammation. They may include a lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, low -quality fever, along with general abdominal pain around the navel.

Pain inside a few hours or days Increase in severity And it is positioned in the lower right of the abdomen.

How common is appendicitis?

Throughout the country, Over 40,000 Every 12 months, Australians are hospitalized with appendicitis inflammation. The condition is responsible for around 180 out of 100,000 hospitalizations.

It is estimated that Fr. one in 12-15 people He will experience a appendix during his life.

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Effective inflammation is more common in children and young people. “Peak” age group for appendicitis is between Age 10 and 30But it’s going to definitely also occur in other age groups.

The boy lying in bed, squeezing him into his stomach.
Effective inflammation is often more common in children and adolescents than adults.
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How is appendicitis diagnosed and treated?

For the most part, the diagnosis of appendicitis is clinically made – in other words, talking to the patient and examining him. The role of blood and scans tests may occur to help diagnose, but these tests may not find a way to distinguish between appendix from other causes of abdominal pain.

In the case of most people of the appendix, it is treated with surgery called the appendix (where the appendix is ​​removed) along with intravenous antibiotics.

Some people can only be treated with antibiotics. However, research suggests Removal of the attachmentAlong with antibiotics it is more practical.

Nowadays, the appendix is ​​often surgery with key (or laproscopic) hole, which suggests that it is barely invasive, doesn’t leave a large scar and sees patients back on their feet.

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Some patients will find a way to be discharged from the hospital the day after the surgery, while others will remain a few days. The hospital at home is a positive alternative which could assist patients in a faster home, even Many children Treated due to a cracked appendix.

You could make a appendix, irrespective of whether the attachment has broken or not. But the operation is more complex, and recovery longer if the attachment has broken.

In the case of minority, appendicitis can have complications, for example, infections and scars in the stomach or at the site of surgery. Untreated, appendicitis can threaten life, and even in determining well -organized healthcare systems, akin to ours in Australia, there are cases of death due to appendicitis. Fortunately, it is rare, with mortality rates as little as 0.02% Loads made in Australia.

Fortunately, for most people, the struggle of appendicitis and treatment of surgery doesn’t leave a long -lasting legacy, and returning to full health and life is a few quieter weeks. We hope that this shall be the case with Bindi Irwin and we join the remainder of Australia, wishing her a quick and complete recovery.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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