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.

Hep B Vaccine: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory panel voted Friday to change the recommendation for when children should get their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Instead of a first dose within 24 hours of birth — as the CDC has advised for more than 30 years, which is the panel voted to recommend delaying it until a child is 2 months old for children born to mothers who test negative for the virus.

The advisory committee has now endorsed a plan that allows families of infants born to hepatitis B negative mothers to decide, with their doctor, when the birth dose should be given. The vote was 8 to 2 in favour of shifting to case-by-case discussions rather than a universal early dose.

Hep B Vaccine: CDC Panel Recommends Delaying Birth Dose Of Hepatitis B Vaccine

A number of medical bodies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, opposed the proposal. They cautioned that delaying this first shot exposes infants to unnecessary danger and pointed to extensive evidence confirming the vaccine’s long record of safety and effectiveness.

The vote came during the second day of the committee’s December session, after confusion on Thursday forced the group to postpone making a decision.

All members of the panel were appointed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The meeting opened with the reading of the draft language, followed by extended debate among committee members and invited specialists. Restef Levi, a panel member with a mathematics background and no clinical training, spoke forcefully against the long-standing policy and made incorrect claims about how the vaccine had been evaluated.

Senior paediatric experts, including Dr Cody Meissner, a former member of both the FDA vaccines panel and ACIP, and committee member Dr Joseph Hibbeln, continued to raise objections throughout the discussion. Hibbeln pointed out that this was the fourth iteration of the wording presented to them in a span of roughly four days and said that no solid scientific evidence had been offered to justify changing the recommendation. Meissner argued that the current guidance already permits parental choice and said revising the language would do more harm than good.

Hep B Vaccine: What Is It About?

Hepatitis B is an incurable viral infection that can lead to chronic liver disease, cancer and early death. The United States has recommended the newborn hepatitis B dose since 1991. Since then, infections in infants and children have dropped by 99 per cent.

ACIP’s recommendations now move to the CDC director for a final decision. States ultimately determine their own vaccination rules, though most follow federal guidance. Insurance coverage may also shift if the recommendation changes, because private insurers rely heavily on ACIP decisions to determine what must be covered.

The newborn dose has become a focal point for vaccine critics, including Kennedy, who wrongly suggested earlier this year that the shot might be linked to autism. Studies have repeatedly shown the birth dose is safe. Research has found no higher risk of infant death, fever, sepsis, multiple sclerosis or autoimmune conditions. Severe adverse reactions remain rare, and there is no evidence that delaying the dose offers any safety advantage.

Hepatitis B: A Contentious 2-day Meeting

Following Friday’s vote, the committee was scheduled to move on to childhood vaccine schedules and vaccine ingredients. No additional votes were on the agenda.

The meeting opened Thursday morning, with the hepatitis B vote originally planned for that afternoon. Members reviewed data on acute and chronic hepatitis B rates, transmission patterns and vaccine safety.

Meissner criticised several of the presentations, including one that suggested limited safety information for the newborn dose.

Dr Jason Goldman, who represents the American College of Physicians on the committee, called the session “completely inappropriate” and said the group was wasting public resources by failing to hold a rigorous scientific debate. He also reminded the panel that the newborn dose has never been compulsory and that parents already make decisions in consultation with their child’s doctor.

The vote was postponed after members said they had been shown multiple shifting versions of the voting questions and could not see the final text due to a technical glitch. Without printed copies available, some members said they were unclear on how many questions they were expected to vote on. Hibbeln remarked that the committee was being asked to consider “a moving target.”

Similar disorder occurred at ACIP’s September meeting, when members appeared confused about what they were voting on. They initially rejected funding for a combined measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine for toddlers, then reversed themselves minutes later, and then changed direction again the following day.

Hep B Vaccine: Why Are Newborns Vaccinated For Hepatitis B?

Infants who contract hepatitis B at birth or during their first year face a ninety per cent likelihood of developing chronic infection, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. About a quarter of those who develop long-term infection die early from related complications.

Because the virus spreads through blood and body fluids and can survive on surfaces, many schools and childcare centres require children to be vaccinated.

The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses the importance of administering the birth dose as early as possible. Dr Sean O’Leary, chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases and an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, told CBS News before the meeting that the vaccine has one of the strongest safety records in paediatrics. He said it remains one of the most dependable tools for preventing severe liver disease and cancer in adulthood.

A routine cold or flu often brings the usual set of problems, such as a cough, a sore throat, or a blocked nose. Yet an NHS doctor has urged people to pay close attention to one particular symptom, as it can sometimes point to a more serious illness. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, , Dr Aziza spoke with hosts Rav Wilding and Louise Minchin about a sign many people overlook, especially during winter virus season. Anyone at home who notices the same change has been advised to seek medical help promptly.

This Common Cold Symptom Could Be Cancer

Cold and flu infections frequently cause swollen glands, along with the typical symptoms of fever, congestion, and throat discomfort. This swelling is usually harmless and occurs when the body gears up to clear out germs. During the programme, Dr Aziza explained that when people refer to “swollen glands,” they are often talking about lymph nodes, which are small, bean-shaped filters that trap viruses and bacteria. These nodes sit in groups around the neck, under the arms, and in the groin.

The doctor noted that swelling is a natural sign that the immune system is responding to a problem. It happens with common colds, flu, ear infections, and sore throats. Sometimes people may actually be feeling swollen salivary glands rather than lymph nodes, as these glands can become blocked as well.

Other Conditions That May Trigger Swelling

Although viral infections are the usual cause, swollen glands can also result from bacterial infections such as cellulitis, reactions to insect bites, changes in hormones, or occasionally after certain vaccinations. Most cases settle on their own within a week or two. Dr Aziza recommended rest, plenty of fluids, and standard pain relief to help ease discomfort. She advised against massaging the swollen areas because it can make the pain worse.

When Swollen Glands Need Medical Attention

While swelling is typically short-lived, there are times when it should not be ignored. Dr Aziza urged viewers to book a GP appointment if the glands remain enlarged for more than two weeks, feel firm or fixed in place, or seem to be getting larger. Additional warning signs include constant night sweats, a continuing fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and swelling that appears above or below the collarbone. These features may point to more serious conditions such as lymphoma or other cancers.

She explained that doctors may arrange blood tests, an ultrasound scan, or antibiotics if a bacterial infection is suspected. However, any breathing or swallowing problems require urgent medical assessment, and in some cases, A&E.

Why Early Detection Matters

Dr Aziza highlighted that catching serious conditions early gives people a better chance of successful treatment and, in many cases, less invasive care. She encouraged everyone to become familiar with how their lymph nodes normally feel by carrying out simple monthly checks. This can be done by looking in the mirror and gently examining the neck, jawline, ears, armpits, and groin for changes in size, tenderness, or redness.

Being aware of small differences can help people seek help sooner if something feels unusual. More detailed advice on swollen glands and when to see a doctor is available on the NHS website.

Malaria infected an estimated 282 million people and caused about 6,10,000 deaths worldwide in 2024, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest World Malaria Report. The report placed strong emphasis on drug resistance, warning that it remains one of the biggest threats to global elimination goals. WHO-recommended vaccines helped prevent roughly 170 million cases and one million deaths last year, which is about nine million more than the year before. Around 95 per cent of malaria deaths occurred in the African Region, with children under five forming the largest share.

Within the WHO South-East Asia Region, India represented 73.3 per cent of all malaria cases and 88.7 per cent of all malaria-related deaths. The report also underscored that the world is nowhere close to meeting the targets set under the Global Technical Strategy for malaria 2016–2030. Drug resistance has now been confirmed or suspected in at least eight African nations, and early signals point to falling effectiveness of partner drugs used with artemisinin. Other emerging challenges include rising cases of malaria parasites with pfhrp2 gene deletions, which weaken the reliability of rapid diagnostic tests, and widespread pyrethroid resistance across 48 countries, diminishing the protective value of insecticide-treated nets.

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Malaria Deaths Increase Amid Growing Drug Resistance

The WHO warned of a global rise in malaria cases and deaths over the past year, driven by shrinking budgets and increasing drug resistance. An estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 malaria deaths were recorded in 2024, marking an increase of about nine million cases and 12,000 deaths compared to the previous year. Eleven countries in Africa accounted for nearly two-thirds of the global burden. The WHO said that efforts to reduce deaths remain “far off track.” Gareth Jenkins, managing director of the nonprofit Malaria No More UK, noted that the rise is alarming as current numbers do not yet reflect the impact of ongoing funding cuts.

What Are Anopheles Stephensi Mosquitoes?

Anopheles stephensi is a malaria-transmitting mosquito originally found in South Asia. Unlike many other malaria vectors, it thrives in cities and breeds in man-made water sources such as storage tanks, containers, and discarded tyres. It can carry both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax parasites.

In recent years, this mosquito has spread into several African countries, where it adapts easily and shows resistance to multiple insecticides. This expansion has increased the threat of urban malaria outbreaks, as highlighted by the World Health Organization.

At present, Anopheles stephensi has been detected in nine African countries and is proving difficult to control due to widespread insecticide resistance.

Malaria Vaccines

The report noted that WHO approved the world’s first malaria vaccines in 2021, and 24 countries have now added them to their regular immunisation schedules. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said that new preventive tools provide reason for optimism, but many obstacles remain. He pointed out the rise in cases and deaths, the pressure from drug resistance, and the impact of reduced funding. These factors could undermine the progress achieved over the last twenty years.

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The report also identified other risks, including extreme weather events that alter temperature and rainfall patterns, fuelling outbreaks; and conflict and unrest preventing communities from accessing treatment. Global funding for malaria control has largely remained stagnant over the past decade, limiting how far life-saving tools can reach.

Still, Dr Tedros stressed that the obstacles are manageable. With committed leadership in high-burden countries and well-directed investment, a malaria-free world remains an achievable goal.

How Is Malaria Becoming Drug Resistant?

Drug-resistant malaria develops when malaria parasites adapt and no longer respond well to antimalarial medicines, making treatment less effective. Factors such as improper use of medicines, incomplete treatment courses, and the parasite’s ability to mutate contribute to this resistance. Once it emerges, it can spread quickly. Addressing the problem requires strong surveillance systems, responsible drug use, and continued reliance on artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs).

Despite the setbacks, there have been encouraging developments. So far, 47 countries and one territory have received malaria-free certification from WHO. Cabo Verde and Egypt were declared malaria-free in 2024, followed by Georgia, Suriname, and Timor-Leste in 2025.