Latest news with #healthrisks
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
UK weather: Temperatures to hit 33C for hottest two days in a row
The UK is on track to break its record for the hottest day of the year for two days running with temperatures forecast to soar up to 33C on and dry conditions are expected to continue with the weather on track to reach the low 30s in many areas, but it could surpass Thursday's record of 32.2C, the Met Office alerts have already been issued across England by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and will remain in place until 09:00 on Monday as it warns of health risks to the wider heatwave could peak on Saturday at a possible high of 34C, with thundery showers forecast for North Wales and northwest England, and dry and hot conditions in the east. According to the Met Office, by Friday afternoon many regions are also expected to pass the heatwave criteria - which means a temperature threshold is sustained for three consecutive days.A heatwave could be declared in London on Friday where it has passed the threshold of 28C for two days in a Thursday, Suffolk became the first place in the UK to officially enter a heatwave after temperatures passed 27C for the third day in a relief is forecast for Sunday, where the south and east will dip to the high 20s, while temperatures will cool to the mid 20s the record-breaking heat so far this year, temperatures are still below the June peak of 35.6C in heat that continues to build is due to an area of high pressure across the UK which draws in hot weather from other parts of Western Europe with windy UKHSA warned of "significant impacts" across health and social care services and a potential rise in deaths particularly among people with health conditions and those aged over have also responded to more than 500 wildfires across England and Wales this year - a 717% surge on the same period in 2024, the National Fire Chiefs Council are urging the public to exercise caution when spending time outdoors in order to prevent further spikes.
Fox News
13 hours ago
- Health
- Fox News
Cannabis use raises risk of heart attack and stroke more than cocaine, other drugs, major review suggests
The potential risk of cannabis use has been in the spotlight following recent research pointing toward negative health effects. This includes a new meta-analysis by French researchers, published in the journal Heart, which reviewed multiple studies to assess the link between cannabis and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The researchers analyzed data from more than 400 million patients involved in 24 previous cross-sectional studies (capturing data at a single point in time) and cohort studies (following patients over time). One study focused on medical cannabis. The overall results noted a significant increase in risk of major cardiovascular events, including a 29% higher likelihood of heart attack, 20% higher risk of stroke and twice the chances of cardiovascular death. The danger was also elevated in people who used cannabis at least once a week. Several studies found higher odds of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. One study pinpointed the risk among younger populations aged 15 to 22, while another observed it in patients who used cannabis more than once a week. One study from the primary French administrative database for hospitals found that, compared to other illicit drugs like cocaine and opioids, cannabis was a larger predictor of heart attack. Another study analyzed the association between cannabis and acute coronary syndrome (reduced blood flow to the heart) in nearly 15,000 patients ranging from 18 to 54 years old. The analysis found no significant association in the overall sample, but signaled a higher risk in a subgroup of patients aged 18 to 36. Cannabis use significantly increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in a cohort of patients who experienced a heart attack before age 50. A UK Biobank analysis pointed out that women have a "significantly higher" risk of cardiovascular mortality than men. The larger review concluded that these findings reveal "positive associations" between cannabis use and MACE, and should "encourage investigating cannabis use in all patients presenting with serious cardiovascular disorders." Although medical marijuana can provide relief for people with conditions like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cancer and other illnesses, overuse has been linked to potential health risks, especially for seniors. The authors of the French review acknowledged that there were some limitations to the findings – primarily that there is a lower prevalence of cocaine and opioids compared to cannabis use. "Cannabis exposure was poorly reported in the included studies, which prevented our meta-analysis from assessing it," they wrote. There was also a potential for some degree of bias in some of the studies due to lack of information or missing data. "Studies that relied on patient surveys faced substantial bias regarding exposure and outcome misclassification when patients assessed these data themselves," the researchers noted. Other potential limitations included overlapping data and limited timeframes. During an appearance on "America's Newsroom" in early June, Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel commented on a recent study that found more seniors are using cannabis than ever before, despite the potential health risks. Siegel noted that regular use of cannabis can be dangerous if not tracked. "We definitely jumped the gun by not anticipating all the medical risks here." "You might use a gummy to go to bed, and then the next thing, you're using two gummies, or three gummies, and it could increase anxiety, it can increase discombobulation, you're not thinking clearly, ER visits are on the increase," he cautioned. "We know about problems with the lungs," Siegel added. "It can accelerate dementia and can affect behavior." The doctor likened the use of marijuana to the effects of smoking cigarettes in terms of damage to the heart and lungs. "It is absolutely an active chemical we need to watch out for, and I'm very disturbed that the elderly are using it," he said. "We've completely jumped the gun [on legalization] because people are going to the ER with psychosis. They're going there with vomiting disorders. They're having car accidents as a result," he went on. For more Health articles, visit "We are studying Colorado ever since it was legalized there, and the results are not pretty. We definitely jumped the gun by not anticipating all the medical risks here." Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.
New York Times
16 hours ago
- Health
- New York Times
Marijuana's Links to Heart Attack and Stroke Are Becoming Clearer
While most Americans consider marijuana safe, new research published this week found that use of the drug is associated with a higher risk of stroke and heart attack, including among younger adults. The analysis, which examined data from 24 studies and was published in the journal Heart, also found that marijuana use was associated with a twofold increase in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. While this data only shows a correlation and cannot prove that marijuana caused these effects, it is well-established that the drug can raise blood pressure and heart rate and alter the heart's rhythm, said Dr. Ersilia DeFilippis, a cardiologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. And a number of other studies have also suggested a link between the drug and cardiovascular issues. The analysis comes at a time when nearly half of U.S. states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and when a record share of U.S. adults — 15 percent in 2022 — report using it. Emilie Jouanjus, the senior author of the new study and a pharmacologist at the University of Toulouse in France, said that while there may be good reasons for people to take marijuana, including for stress and anxiety, patients can't assume that it is harmless. She and other experts said that everyone should be treating marijuana with caution, and suggested several ways people can mitigate their risk. Who is most at risk? Generally speaking, older adults and people with underlying conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol or pre-existing heart issues are at the greatest risk, experts said. That's because their cardiovascular systems tend to be more fragile, and marijuana further stresses the heart. In 2023, about 7 percent of U.S. adults age 65 and older reported using marijuana in the past month. But the average age of patients included in the new analysis was just 38, an indication that marijuana increases risks among younger people, too. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Independent
a day ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Amber heat-health alert issued for all regions in England as temperatures climb
An amber heat-health alert has been issued for all regions in England as the UK could record a new high for the warmest day of the year on Thursday. Eastern parts of Wales, the Midlands and the south-east of England could reach 30C, which would break the current record for 2025 of 29.4C set days ago in Santon Downham in Suffolk. UV and pollen levels are also expected to climb alongside temperatures. The amber alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency is in force from 12pm on Thursday until 9am on Monday. It warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths – particularly among those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said: 'High UV levels and high levels of pollen as well. 'Winds remain fairly light and a warmer day all round across the east coast as temperatures arrive around 24C, but 28C for Liverpool, Leeds, 23C for Glasgow and Edinburgh, Belfast coming in around 24C, 28C likely across Bristol as well as Cardiff. 'But for east Wales, the Midlands, down towards the South East we could see temperatures peaking around 30C, so feeling hot here.' A number of charities have issued warnings about the potential risks of hotter weather. St John Ambulance urged the public to familiarise themselves with the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and to learn how to respond. It comes after a survey of 1,002 adults in England revealed more than half do not know the difference between 'life-threatening' heat stroke, which requires a 999 call, and heat exhaustion, which can be treated by cooling and hydrating a patient. The British Heart Foundation is encouraging people with heart conditions to take precautions such as staying cool and keeping hydrated to minimise potential health risks during a heatwave, saying the heat can put extra strain on the heart. Age UK urged people to check in on older relatives, friends, and neighbours to see if they need anything and to make sure they are not feeling overwhelmed by the excessive heat. Dementia UK issued advice and tips on how to support a loved one with dementia in the heat, including keeping hydrated; staying cool with appropriate clothing; keeping the person out of the heat; cooling the person down by avoiding hot drinks, alcohol and caffeine; and keeping the home environment cool. RAC breakdown spokeswoman person Alice Simpson warned drivers should 'take every precaution' in the heat. 'When temperatures soar, vehicle breakdowns usually do the same,' she said. 'One of the biggest risks is an increase in cars overheating, especially when sat in queues of traffic with no shade.' Ms Simpson urged drivers to check their coolant levels and any air conditioning systems that are not working properly, and to take plenty of water and snacks on the road.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Woman's colon EXPLODES out of her body after coughing too hard from a cold
Doctors are warning about the dangers of coughing too hard this allergy season. Earlier this year, doctors wrote a case report of an unnamed woman, 61, from Taiwan, who suffered a rare bowel evisceration - when parts of the intestines protrude outside of the body. And while rare, similar cases have been reported, like that of an 86-year-old woman from the UK in 2011, who was suffering from a respiratory infection had an intense coughing fit and also experienced evisceration of her small bowel through her vagina. In both cases, the women experienced the injury because of defects stemming from prior hysterectomies - removal of the uterus. In the 2025 case report, the woman had undergone a hysterectomy 10 months prior and suffered no complications, but visited the emergency room when she began experiencing abdominal pain. In an examination, doctors discovered a small part of her bowel was protruding out of her vagina. During emergency surgery to repair the injury doctors discovered a defect in part of her vaginal wall that allowed the intestines to break through and leave her body. While it was not specified what caused the woman's injury, authors of the case report cite a chronic cough or intense coughing fit as risk factors. Once the organs were repositioned, the surgeons fixed the defect, the woman recovered and she returned home five days later. She was formally diagnosed with vaginal cuff dehiscence - the reopening of a surgical site - with small bowel evisceration. This is a known possible complication of a hysterectomy, but is still very rare, occurring in about 0.032 percent of patients following a pelvic operation. There is limited data on the occurrence of wound dehiscence, but a 2014 study found up to three-in-100 people who have had abdominal and pelvic surgeries may experience it. That rises to up to 10 percent of elderly patients. And it can be deadly for four-in-10 patients due to excessive blood loss, prolonged severe pain or injury to the organs that have been exposed. In the 2011 case report, the woman went to the emergency department and told doctors she had an intense coughing fit and then felt her bowel protruding from her vagina - six inches of her intestines were outside of her body. For the prior three years, the woman had been experiencing a vaginal vault prolapse - when the top of the vagina falls into the vaginal canal. The condition had been well-managed, however, by her primary doctor. Eventually her situation became too complicated and she was referred to a specialist but the evisceration occurred before she was able to make an appointment. The doctors rushed the woman into surgery where they repaired the defect and replaced her bowels. The operation was successful and she was discharged six days later. Officially, the woman's diagnosis was ruptured vaginal vault leading to prolapse of the small bowel. Authors of the case report wrote the prolapse of small bowel through a ruptured vagina has been reported in just 113 cases worldwide. The mortality rate in vaginal evisceration is about six percent. When these injuries occur, they must be treated with surgery to replace the organs and close any open wounds or defects. A sterile saline covering should also be put on eviscerations to keep the exposed organs moist until surgery can be performed.
