Exercise Helps People with Heart Failure, Regardless of Age

Exercise counteracts muscle breakdown, increases strength and reduces inflammation caused by aging and heart failure, according to new research in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal.

Results from exercise for people with heart failure are much like the benefits gained by all exercisers: there’s less muscle wasting, and people become fitter, improving their exercise [...]

Older People Urged to Take Advantage of Government’s Annual Wellness Visit

A new national poll suggests many older Americans experience big gaps in their primary care and miss opportunities for healthy aging. One solution for improving care for 65 and older patients is more widespread use of Medicare’s new “Annual Wellness Visit,” according to an April 24, 2012 press release by the John A. Harford Foundation, [...]

Obesity Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Obesity has long been a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes. New research suggests obesity might also be linked to rheumatoid arthritis among women.

Mayo Clinic researchers wrote in a study published April 18, 2012 online in the scientific journal Arthritis Care and Research: “Obesity is associated with a modest risk for developing [...]

Smokers Much More Likely than Nonsmokers to have Hip and Knee Replacement Failures, Complications

Smokers are much more likely than nonsmokers to experience failures and complications after total joint replacement surgery, according to two new studies presented earlier this year at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif.

In a study looking at total knee replacements, researchers showed smokers had a 10-fold higher [...]