Heart disease is often linked to high cholesterol, obesity, or lack of exercise. However, there is mounting evidence that suggests that mental health plays a crucial role in cardiovascular well-being. Stress, anxiety, and depression can silently strain the heart, increasing the risk of serious complications.

A recent study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, showed that loneliness has a significant impact on proteins present in a person's blood. For the study, researchers used data from more than 42,000 participants to explore whether the 9.3% who reported social isolation and 6.4% who reported loneliness had different levels of proteins in their blood compared with those who did not. The researchers then studied data that tracked the health of participants over an average 14-year period.

"We found around 90% of these proteins are linked to the risk of mortality," Dr Chun Shen, Fudan University in China, who is also the lead researcher said. "In addition, about 50% of the proteins were linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke," he added.

Dr Shrey Kumar Srivastav, senior consultant at Sharda Hospital, said that subtle symptoms of heart disease, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the lower legs, dizziness, and jaw pain, are often overlooked or attributed to stress and ageing. "Women, in particular, may experience atypical signs like extreme fatigue, indigestion, or upper abdominal pain instead of classic chest pain, leading to delayed diagnosis," he added.

Can Mental Health Issues Trigger Heart Diseases?

Chronic stress can trigger harmful cardiovascular effects, including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and inflammation—key contributors to heart disease. Anxiety and depression further impact heart health by disrupting sleep patterns, raising stress hormone levels, and encouraging unhealthy habits like poor diet and inactivity.

Mental health issues like depression and anxiety have a profound impact on the heart. They don’t just affect emotions but can increase inflammation and put extra strain on the cardiovascular system, warns Dr Srivastav.

Certain risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes, disproportionately affect women, making them more vulnerable to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, due to gender-specific symptom variations, heart disease in women often goes undiagnosed for longer.

Obesity is more prevalent in women than men and is a major risk factor for heart failure. Diabetes, too, has a greater impact on women’s heart health, yet diagnosis and treatment delays are common. Addressing this gap requires increasing awareness, training healthcare providers, and promoting early diagnostic tools,” explains Dr Srivastav.

How Can You Protect Your Heart?

A simple yet effective way to support heart health is by committing to a brisk 30-minute walk daily. Walking not only helps regulate blood pressure and manage weight but also improves circulation and reduces stress.

"Regular physical activity, paired with a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, significantly lowers cardiovascular risks," advises Dr Srivastav.

Heart disease can often go undetected until a major event occurs, making routine screenings essential.

- For women: Begin screenings around age 30 and continue with regular checkups.

- For men: Start screenings at age 35.

Health screenings, including blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, and electrocardiograms (ECGs), are critical for early detection of silent heart conditions.

Scientists and clinicians are cautioning the public not to mix two widely used over-the-counter medicines, warning that pairing them can put unnecessary strain on the body. Their appeal comes shortly after Donald Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr made headlines with remarks about Tylenol and autism, a claim that experts have repeatedly dismissed.

The current concern is different. Physicians are asking people to avoid taking Tylenol and NyQuil together, even though they are sold for separate purposes. Tylenol is meant for general pain and fever, while NyQuil is marketed to ease cold and flu symptoms at night. Both contain acetaminophen, which means the doses can add up more quickly than people realize.

Tylenol Warning: Why Doctors Are Urging Caution

Dr Brynna Connor told Parade that many adults unintentionally take far more than the recommended daily amount. She explained that four thousand milligrams is the absolute upper limit for healthy adults, but she encourages most patients to stay well below three thousand. Going beyond that threshold, even briefly, can damage the liver. According to her, people often double up on acetaminophen without recognizing how fast it can lead to liver failure.

As per Healthline, the body can process acetaminophen safely, but only within a defined range. Exceeding it places stress on the liver, especially when multiple medications contain the same ingredient.

Dr Parth Bhavsar added that combining NyQuil with Benadryl can also lead to trouble. Both products include diphenhydramine, which may cause heavy drowsiness, slower breathing, confusion, dizziness, or difficulty urinating when taken together. He noted that these combinations can increase the risk of falls or memory lapses.

Tylenol And Autism Claims by President Trump and RFK Jr

The advisories come months after Donald Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr held a joint media briefing in which they suggested that Tylenol use during pregnancy might raise the likelihood of autism in newborns. Their statements drew widespread criticism from experts.

During the briefing, Trump struggled to pronounce “acetaminophen” and claimed the drug posed a “very increased risk of autism,” a statement that has not been supported by scientific research. A new analysis by researchers in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia reviewed nine major summaries of existing studies, including work Trump had referenced. Their conclusion was that there is no clear evidence linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism or ADHD.

The group also pointed out that many reviews had gaps in their methods or did not fully adjust for genetic and environmental factors. When those variables were accounted for, the suggested connection between Tylenol and autism weakened or disappeared.

What Is Acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen, known in many places as paracetamol and sold under names such as Tylenol and Panadol, is a common non-prescription medicine used to reduce fever and ease mild to moderate pain. It works as an analgesic and a fever reducer. It is different from drugs like ibuprofen because it does not address inflammation. As per the Food and Drug Administration.

What Major Medical Groups Say

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists responded to the findings, saying the results were consistent with what the organization has long maintained. According to a spokesperson, available research does not show a causal link between responsible acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism or other developmental conditions. In other words, the organization does not see enough evidence to support claims made by Trump or Kennedy.

A resident of Washington has been admitted to the hospital after contracting a type of bird flu that has never been seen in humans before, the Washington State Health Department reported.

Since 2024, the United States has recorded 70 human bird flu cases, all caused by the highly contagious H5N1 strain. The current case involves the H5N5 strain, marking the first time this variant has been detected in a person in the U.S.

Experts say the H5N5 strain does not appear to pose a higher risk to humans compared with the more common H5N1.

The patient, an older adult with underlying health issues, had contact with wild birds from a backyard flock, according to CBS News. The individual experienced high fever, confusion, and breathing difficulties, as reported by Scripps News.

What Is The New H5N5 Strain Detected In US?

A resident of Grays Harbor who was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms in early November has tested positive for influenza A H5, a type of bird flu. Further testing identified the virus as H5N5, a strain previously seen in animals but never before in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health currently say the risk to the public from this avian flu is low.

The patient, an older adult with pre-existing health conditions, remains in the hospital. They keep a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry, which had contact with wild birds. These domestic and wild birds are the most likely sources of the infection, though public health officials are continuing their investigation. The Washington State Department of Health is coordinating with the local health department and the Department of Agriculture to complete studies on exposure and animal health.

How Does Bird Flu Spread?

Bird flu usually spreads through direct contact with infected animals, especially poultry and sometimes dairy cattle. People can catch the virus when they come into contact with bodily fluids like saliva, feces, or respiratory droplets from these animals. The virus can enter the body if someone touches these fluids and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. It’s also possible to get infected by breathing in tiny dust particles from areas where infected animals live.

Public Health Guidance For Bird Flu

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health consider the risk of avian influenza to the general public to be low. People who work with or come into recreational contact with infected birds, cattle, or other potentially infected domestic or wild animals face a higher risk and should take precautions. This includes wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, eye protection, and fluid-resistant clothing or coveralls.

Backyard poultry owners should avoid touching sick or dead birds and report any illness to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Veterinarians should report any domestic animals or livestock suspected of having avian influenza.

People should also avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and report such cases to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife. Pets should never be allowed near dead birds or wildlife.

Avoid consuming raw or undercooked products like unpasteurized milk or raw cheeses, and do not feed these to pets.

It is particularly important for those exposed to sick birds to get a seasonal flu vaccine. While it does not prevent bird flu, the vaccine reduces the risk of contracting both human and avian influenza at the same time. The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older.

In another MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) meetings, Vice President JD Vance said that he thinks Ibuprofen, a common pain medication, is 'useless'. While speaking at the MAHA summit in Washington DC on November 12, along side the Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Vance talked about "the one way" he is "more instinctively MAHA".

He was here making a reference to Trump's administration's Make America Healthy Again. This is an initiative led by Kennedy.

This is when Vance said, "If I have like, you know, a back sprain, or I slept weird and I woke up with back pain, I don't want to take Ibuprofen." He said that he does not like taking medications. "I don't like taking anything unless I absolutely have to. And I think that is another MAHA style attitude. It is not anti-medication, it is anti-useless-medication," he said.

His remarks has made with many experts criticizing it. This is not the first time the MAHA flag bearers have faced criticism for their 'MAHA attitudes' and opinions. Earlier the connection between Tylenol, another popular pain medication and autism was also faced with criticism, with expert commenting on why the link is not correct.

In fact, Kennedy, who is leading the MAHA initiative has had a long history of being anti-vaccination and medication, which also includes refusing to promote the measles vaccines amid a measles surge. He also announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend children and pregnant women get COVID vaccines, and the reason he cited was "common sense".

What Does Ibuprofen Do In Your Body?

Many widely used painkillers contain ibuprofen, a medication known for easing pain, reducing inflammation, and lowering fever. It works by blocking certain natural chemicals in the body that trigger swelling and discomfort.

When someone is injured or unwell, the body produces chemicals that heighten nerve sensitivity, making pain feel more intense. Painkillers help slow this process by reducing the production of these chemicals, preventing nerves from sending strong pain signals to the brain, ultimately helping the person feel relief.

Ibuprofen’s main role is to reduce inflammation and soothe pain. By limiting the chemicals that cause discomfort, it also decreases redness and heat in the affected area. This is why it is commonly recommended for muscle spasms and sprains, as noted in a 2015 study in the National Library of Medicine.

The medication also acts on the hypothalamus, the brain’s temperature-regulation center, helping to bring down fever. The same 2015 study suggests that some painkillers may suppress certain immune responses, which can worsen inflammation but make the brain perceive less pain, creating an overall calming effect.