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.

Norwegian Cruise Line has notified passengers about two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to a December 2025 sailing aboard its ship, the Norwegian Encore.

In a letter dated February 12 and addressed to recent guests, the cruise operator said it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the illnesses. The two passengers were diagnosed after traveling on the vessel late last year.

What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. According to the cruise line’s letter, people become ill when they inhale tiny water droplets that contain the bacteria.

Unlike many respiratory infections, Legionnaires’ disease does not spread from person to person. Instead, the bacteria can grow in water systems and occasionally spread through mist or vapor from fixtures such as hot tubs, showers, whirlpool bathtubs, decorative fountains and misters.

The CDC notes that symptoms usually appear between two and 14 days after exposure, though in some cases they may take longer. The illness often resembles pneumonia and can include cough, fever, headache, muscle aches and shortness of breath. Some patients may also experience confusion, diarrhea or nausea.

While most people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not become sick, certain groups face a higher risk. Adults over 50, current or former smokers and individuals with underlying health conditions are considered more vulnerable to severe infection.

Investigation Underway, Tests So Far Negative

In its communication to passengers, Norwegian Cruise Line said it has launched onboard testing for Legionella bacteria. The testing includes water systems and fixtures such as hot tubs, showers and faucets.

“So far, all test results have been negative,” the company stated. It added that it remains unclear whether the two passengers were exposed through the ship’s water system or from another source unrelated to the cruise.

The cruise line urged anyone currently sailing or who recently disembarked from the Norwegian Encore to monitor their health. Guests who develop symptoms within 14 days of the end of their cruise have been advised to contact the ship’s medical staff and seek immediate medical attention.

CDC Monitoring the Situation

In a statement issued February 13, a spokesperson for the CDC confirmed to PEOPLE that the agency is aware of the cases associated with the Norwegian Cruise Line vessel and is supporting the investigation.

The development follows a separate CDC report released in October 2024 that examined 12 cases of Legionnaires’ disease identified among travelers on two cruise ships between November 2022 and June 2024. In that earlier investigation, private balcony hot tubs were identified as the likely source of exposure in two outbreaks.

The CDC noted that private hot tubs are often subject to less stringent operating requirements than public ones. The agency also warned that certain features — including outdoor placement, water retention between uses and systems involving recirculation, filtration or heating — can increase the risk of Legionella growth and transmission.

For now, health officials and the cruise line continue to investigate the source of the recent cases, as passengers are reminded to remain alert to symptoms and seek prompt care if they feel unwell.

Frida Baby thermometer is facing severe backlash after parents criticized the company's marketing language on its packaging. The parents claimed that the company cracked sexual jokes on using baby thermometers and that it crossed a line for a product that was designed for infants.

The controversy gained more traction this week after a social media user posted about it on X with photos stating that the marketing relies on sexual jokes.

An X user @staystaystace wrote: "sexual jokes to market baby products is actually sick and twisted @fridababy this is absolutely appalling and disgusting".

Frida Baby Thermometer: What Was The Problem With Marketing

The photos include a screenshot of the thermometer packaging on which the graphics are pointed out to be problematic and inappropriate by the parents. Furthermore, the caption on the official account of Frida Baby social media reads: 'This is the closest your husband's gonna get to a threesome...'

In another photo of Frida Baby 3-in-1 Eat, Forehead and Touchless Thermometer, the marketing phrase reads: 'How About A Quickie?'

Another photo on steps for using the humidifier, the caption on the packaging reads: 'I Get Turned On Easily'. While a fourth photo reads: 'I'm A [Powerful] Sucker'.

Parents claim that the brand has used sexual market phrases found similarly on self care toys and massagers for products which are made for infants.

Read: Six-year-old Child Dies Of Medical Negligence During MRI At Greater Noida Imaging Centre

Amid this, older content from 2020, including deleted social media posts resurfaced featuring a baby with visible nose discharge and the caption read: 'What Happens When You Pull Out Too Early #nosefrida #dontmove'.

More recently, Frida Baby again drew attention for an Instagram post that centered on breastfeeding. The carousel post includes slides with statements like: 'Boobs, everyone loves to see them', followed by commentary on how breasts are widely accepted in pop culture, but criticized in the context of feeding a child. The final slide reads: 'Show Us What Your Boobs Can Do', which directs readers to company's website. A user on the Instagram post commented: "Hey so why do you sexualize your products??"

Another photo that resurfaced from 2021 reads: 'Top Windi Pro-Tips to tap that [g]ass (and sometimes even [poop emoji]):

• - Massage it real good
• - Lube that ish up
• - Wear a poncho

However, there were some parents who also defended the brand's tone and argued that humor is clearly aimed at adults who are navigated through the realities of parenting.

Frida Baby Thermometer: How Did The Brand React?

In an emailed statement, as reported by Complex, the spokesperson for the brand said:

From the very beginning, Frida has used humor to talk about the real, raw, and messy parts of parenting that too often go unspoken. We do this because parenting can be isolating and overwhelming, and sometimes a moment of levity is what makes a hard experience feel human, shared, and survivable.

Our products are designed for babies, but our voice has always been written for the adults caring for them. Our intention has consistently been to make awkward and difficult experiences feel lighter, more honest, and less isolating for parents.

That said, humor is personal. What’s funny to one parent can feel like too much to another. We’re never trying to offend, push boundaries for shock value, or make anyone uncomfortable. Importantly, our tone is never separate from our product. The humor we use is always grounded in a specific feature, benefit, or innovation — a reflection of the real problem we are solving for families.

Frida was built to support families through some of the most vulnerable and transformative chapters of their lives. We stand firmly behind that mission. We will continue to show up with honesty, empathy, and courage.

With each decision we make, we will continue to evaluate how we express our voice so that our commitment to families is unmistakable and our tone always meets the moment.

A six-year-old boy died after his health worsened during an MRI scan at a private Greater Noida diagnostic centre. His family alleged medical negligence and claimed that he was administered a wrong or heavy dose injection.

As per the boy's father, Prashant Kasana, his son was taken to the centre for some test and was given an injection before the MRI procedure. The family said that during the MRI scan, the child was administered a heavy dose. Due to which his condition worsened and he also lost consciousness.

The family also said that when they asked for information about the child's condition and his medical report, they were not given any satisfactory answers. They also claimed that the doctors gave another dose to the child. The child's condition did not improve and the family had to rush the child to another nearby private hospitals. This is where the doctors declared him dead.

Six-year-old Child Dies of Medical Negligence: What Happened?

After this incident, family members accused the staff of the KB Healthcare Centre, where the child was first taken for an MRI scan. Villagers and workers of the Bharatiya Kisan Union also reached the spot and staged a protest.

The state spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, Pawan Khatana, stated that the child was brought to the centre at 10.30am, and was in normal condition. As per the spokesperson, doctors did not disclose the quantity of the dose administered to the child.

As per Khatana, even after half an hour, the child did not gain consciousness and when the doctors checked him again, he was unresponsive and cold. The family took to another private hospital where he was declared dead. Khatana also alleged that there are many such unauthorized screening and imaging centres operating in Greater Noida and demanded a thorough probe.

Six-year-old Child Dies Of Medical Negligence: What Are The Authorities Saying?

Police on reaching the spot received the information, while protesters demanded for a fair investigation and strict action against those responsible. The Station House Officer of Neta 2 police station said the child was a resident of Reelkha in Dankaur. He was brought to a private pathology lab in Sector P3 for an MRI scan. As per the officer, the doctor administered the child with anesthesia for an MRI. After this, the child's health started to deteriorate.

Police has sent the body for post-mortem after completing the necessary legal formalities.

Six-year-old Child Dies of Medical Negligence: How Much Anesthesia Is Safe For A Child During MRI?

As per the National Institutes of Health (NIH), US and a study by the Yeungnam University Journal of Medicine (YUJM), drugs for deep sedation or general anesthesia for pediatric MRI are:

(I) Chloral hydrate: a sedative hyptonic agent with no analgesic properties

The study notes that the recommended dose of chloral hydrate is 50 to 100 mg/kg, or up to a maximum of 2g. The success rate of chloral hydrate sedation for pediatric MRI varies from 78% to 100%.

The United Kingdom (UK) National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) also recommends the use of oral chloral hydrate with a wide margin of safety in children under 15 kg.

The study also notes that children "may be encouraged to take at least clear fluids 2 hours before the procedure for successful sedation without breaking institutional fasting protocols for chloral hydrate sedation".

(II) Pentobarbital: a medium duration barbiturate that provides potent sedation with no analgesic property.

As per the study, this can be administered via an oral or intravenous or IV route. The oral dose is administered between 4 to 8mg per kg and IV dose of 2 to 3 mg per kg.

(III) Midazolam: it is a short-acting water soluble benzodiazepine that has anxiolytic, sedative, amanestiec, and muscle relaxant properties.

It is administered through various routes, but IV is preferred. When administered through IV, it is given at the dose of 0.1mg per kg.

Anesthetic agents include propofol and sevoflurane.

Note: This article is not a substitute for medical consultation or prescription. The information is based on reports and research articles available online for public.