July 16, 2020

Pets Provide Comfort for 'Ruff' Quarantine Time

WEDNESDAY, July 15, 2020 -- For New York lawyer Roseann Schuyler, her family's pets -- a dog (Jackie), two cats (Hudson and Winter) and a fish (Atticus fish) -- eased the long, lonely days of lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic this spring.

"Those early days were so surreal. There was not a lot to do other than to sit in the house and worry," Schuyler said. "The fact that we had pets -- Jackie in particular -- gave those days a structure. Jackie still had to go out, and we would take really long walks. Those walks were good for all of us. We were away from the news and our screens."

July 12, 2020

'Broken Heart Syndrome' Has Risen During Pandemic: Study

THURSDAY, July 9, 2020 -- Doctors at one Ohio hospital system have discovered yet another possible consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic: More cases of "broken heart syndrome."

The condition -- which doctors call stress cardiomyopathy -- appears similar to a heart attack, with symptoms such as chest pain and breathlessness. But its cause is different: Experts believe it reflects a temporary weakness in the heart muscle owing to a surge in stress hormones.

June 15, 2020

Pets: Big Pandemic Stress Reducers

FRIDAY, June 5, 2020 -- June is time for people to bond with their pets, the American Heart Association says.

Throughout the month, the AHA encourages people to make pets part of their workday as routines shift during the coronavirus pandemic.

June 15, 2020

Tai Chi Could Be Good Medicine for Heart Patients

TUESDAY, June 9, 2020 -- Tai chi might be just what doctors should order for their heart patients, new research suggests.

Many of these folks experience anxiety, stress and depression. For example, depression affects about 20% of people with heart disease or heart failure, 27% of those with high blood pressure, and 35% of stroke survivors.