Smokers who make the decision to quit will experience immediate health benefits, including a rapid reduction in their risk of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib), according to new research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. The study, conducted by Dr. Gregory Marcus, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, offers compelling evidence for smokers to quit, showing that it’s never too late to avoid the damaging effects of smoking on heart health.

Dr. Marcus, the senior author of the study, emphasized that A-Fib can be prevented even in individuals who have smoked for years. "The findings provide a compelling new reason to show current smokers that it’s not too late to quit, and that having smoked in the past doesn’t mean you’re ‘destined’ to develop A-Fib," Marcus explained. "Even for the current and longtime smoker, A-Fib can still be avoided."

What is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

"There’s strong evidence that smoking increases the risk of A-Fib," Marcus said. "But the benefits of quitting smoking have been less certain." With this in mind, his team sought to determine whether quitting could significantly lower a person’s risk of developing A-Fib, or if the risk would remain the same.

The research team analyzed data from over 146,700 current and former smokers, tracking their smoking habits and health over a 12-year period using data from the UK Biobank database. The results were promising: former smokers had a 13% lower risk of developing A-Fib compared to current smokers, while those who quit during the study saw an 18% reduction in their risk.

"This is likely a testament to the potency of reducing atrial fibrillation risk pretty shortly after quitting," Marcus said in a statement from the American College of Cardiology.

The findings highlight the importance of quitting smoking, not only for general health but specifically for reducing the risk of serious heart conditions like A-Fib.

Tips for Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of A-Fib and improve overall heart health. While it can be challenging, the benefits of quitting are clear and immediate. Here are some tips to help you quit smoking successfully:

1. Choose a specific date to quit smoking and stick to it. Prepare yourself mentally and physically for this change.

2. Reach out to family, friends, or a support group to help keep you accountable. Sharing your goals with others can provide encouragement.

3. Options like nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges can help ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.

4. Identify situations that make you want to smoke, such as stress or social gatherings, and find healthy ways to cope with them.

5. Regular exercise can help distract you from cravings and improve your mood during the quitting process.

6. Drinking water can help flush nicotine out of your system faster, reducing cravings.

7. Activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help manage stress, a common trigger for smoking.

Quitting smoking offers immediate and significant benefits, particularly in reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation. The latest research provides smokers with more motivation to quit, showing that it's never too late to take control of their heart health.

Ozempic and Wegovy, whose active ingredient is semaglutide, have transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. These medications have also been linked to improved fertility in some cases. However, GLP-1 medications are not recommended during pregnancy.

Now, a study in pregnant sheep has found that semaglutide significantly reduced blood flow to the uterus and oxygen levels in developing fetuses.

Led by researchers at Adelaide University, the animal study raises questions about the potential effects of these medications on fetal development.

While the findings are preliminary and have not been established in humans, they highlight the need to understand the risks of exposure during pregnancy, particularly among women who may conceive unexpectedly or continue treatment before realising they are pregnant.

Semaglutide Reduced Blood Flow Within Two Hours

Also read: Woman Says GLP-1 Drug Helped Her Conceive

Adelaide University researcher Dr Mitchell Lock noted that although weight-loss medications have become incredibly popular, there's still a lot we don't know about how they might affect a developing baby.

With the new study, they aimed to better understand the potential effects of GLP-1 drugs during pregnancy so women and health care professionals can make informed and safe decisions about their use.

In the study, the researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess maternal heart function and uterine blood flow before and after administering semaglutide to pregnant sheep. They also collected fetal blood samples and monitored blood pressure and heart rate to evaluate the drug's immediate effects.

The findings, published as a conference abstract in the journal Heart, Lung and Circulation, showed that semaglutide affected the mother's cardiovascular system and the supply of blood and oxygen to the developing fetus.

"Within two hours of administering semaglutide, we found that the amount of blood pumped by the mother's heart had significantly decreased, reducing blood flow to the uterus and lowering oxygen levels in the developing fetus," Lock said.

"Oxygen is essential for healthy fetal growth and development, so any reduction in its supply raises questions about what might happen if exposure to the drug continues throughout pregnancy."

Long-Term Effects On Fetal Development Remain Unclear

Read More: GLP-1 Drugs Ozempic, Zepbound Use Rises 24-Fold Among American Women After Childbirth

Senior researcher Janna Morrison said the findings highlight the need for further research into the potential effects of prolonged semaglutide exposure during pregnancy.

"Our findings suggest a potential risk to fetal development, but we haven't yet established whether these short-term changes affect fetal growth, what happens over a longer period of semaglutide use or whether similar effects could occur in human pregnancies," Morrison said.

Can GLP-1 Drugs Be Used During Pregnancy?

READ: GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs May Improve Fertility In Men With Obesity, Study Suggests

GLP-1 medications are not recommended for weight loss during pregnancy. Women planning to conceive should consult their healthcare professionals about discontinuing treatment.

For semaglutide, prescribing guidance recommends stopping the medication at least two months before a planned pregnancy.

Women who become pregnant while taking the medication should seek medical advice. Those who are breastfeeding should also discuss its use with their healthcare professional.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises against weight-loss medications during pregnancy. Women considering GLP-1 treatment should discuss its risks, benefits and timing with their healthcare professionals, particularly if they are planning to conceive.

Flu cases are rising earlier than usual in the US, with influenza A H1N1 driving most infections. A new mutation, G155E, may be contributing to the surge.

The 2026-2027 flu season began earlier than usual, with infections increasing as early as August. As of November 5, flu activity was growing or likely growing in 42 states, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

At least 1.7 million illnesses, 25,000 hospitalisations and 1,400 deaths have been reported so far this season.

“Early-season influenza activity is currently higher than typically observed at this time of year,” the CDC said in its FluView report for the week ending October 31.

Is The G155E H1N1 Mutation Driving The Surge?

Also read: G155E H1N1 Mutation In US Raises Concerns: Can This Year’s Flu Shot Still Protect You?

H1N1 is currently responsible for the vast majority of flu cases, marking a shift from last winter, when influenza A H3N2 subclade K, also known as the “superflu”, dominated.

The circulating H1N1 strain has acquired a new mutation called G155E. Early laboratory findings suggest it may make some strains harder for existing antibodies to recognise, potentially helping the virus evade immunity from previous infections or vaccination.

“It is different from last year’s H1N1 virus, and that mutation position (G155E) we know is important for generating protective antibody responses,” Andrew Pekosz, PhD, a virologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told TODAY.com.

However, it is not yet clear whether the mutation is contributing to the early surge or making infections more severe.

“How that (mutation) is going to affect the disease spread and severity is not clear,” Pekosz said.

Will The Flu Vaccine Protect Against G155E?

READ: Flu Activity Rises Early In US, UK And Japan: Why Experts Urge Vaccination Before Winter

The impact of G155E on vaccine effectiveness remains uncertain. The CDC said it was too early to determine whether the mutation would affect protection this season.

The 2026-2027 flu vaccines target three viruses: influenza A H1N1 (pdm09), influenza A H3N2 and influenza B.

Even if the circulating H1N1 strain differs from the vaccine strain, vaccination can still protect against severe illness and other circulating flu viruses.

“Even if there’s a mismatched strain, there’s two other strains that the vaccine will provide better protection against,” Pekosz said.

The American Medical Association recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone aged six months and older, unless medically contraindicated.

What Are The Symptoms Of H1N1 Flu?

Read More: Flu 2026: Symptoms To Watch For As New Season Begins

Common symptoms include:

• Fever and chills
• Fatigue
• Body aches
• Runny nose
• Cough

Flu symptoms can overlap with those of COVID-19, making testing important.

Antiviral medications can help reduce the severity and duration of influenza, particularly among people at higher risk of complications, including adults over 65, children under five, and immunocompromised individuals.

“You have to get that prescription fast ... within the first 48 hours after symptom onset, (or else) they don’t work as well,” Pekosz said.

When Should You Get Vaccinated?

Experts say the emergence of G155E is not a reason to panic but reinforces the importance of flu vaccination.

“View (this) as a sign to go out and get the flu vaccine,” Pekosz said.

It takes approximately two weeks for vaccine-induced protection to develop. Annual vaccination remains an important way to reduce the risk of severe flu, complications and hospitalisation. Regular hand hygiene can also help limit the spread of infection.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines target different viruses. A flu shot does not protect against COVID-19, so eligible people may need separate vaccinations to reduce their risk of severe illness from both infections.

“Flu vaccination doesn't protect just yourself against the risk of having influenza but it also prevents transmission of infection to other vulnerable people around ourselves like little ones, elderly family members and people with medical conditions,” Dr. Bhawna Malik, Senior Consultant-Neonatologist and Pediatric Intensivist at Motherhood Hospitals, Greater Noida, told HealthandMe.

Public health officials in Alaska have reported three cases of Clade I mpox in people with no recent travel history, raising concerns about local transmission of the virus in the US.

The cases were confirmed in Anchorage in October 2026, shortly after California's Stanislaus County reported four cases of Clade I mpox, the strain responsible for the 2024 global outbreak.

While the cases point to possible community transmission, health officials said the risk to the general public remains low.

Three Clade I Mpox Cases Reported In Alaska

Three cases of mpox (monkeypox) were confirmed in Anchorage in October 2026, according to the Alaska Public Health Alert Network.

All three patients are male. An epidemiological link has been identified between the first two cases, while no link has been established for the third.

None of the patients reported out-of-state travel.

The first two cases were caused by Clade Ib mpox, marking the first reported Clade I infections in Alaska. Clade determination for the third case is pending.

One patient was briefly hospitalised. All three are currently isolating and recovering, while investigations continue.

The global mpox outbreak that began in 2022 was caused by Clade IIb. Since March 2026, imported Clade I cases have increased in the US, with presumed local transmission reported in 15 jurisdictions since August 2026.

Also read: 1,370 Mpox Cases, 7 Deaths Reported In July: WHO Says Risk Remains Moderate

California Reports Four Clade I Mpox Cases

Public health officials in California's Stanislaus County have reported four mpox cases. Two have been confirmed as Clade I, while testing is underway for the other two.

Three individuals had no recent international travel history, raising concerns about local transmission. The travel history of the fourth person is still being assessed.

The cases suggest possible community transmission. However, county officials have said the risk to the general public remains low.

US Reports Sustained Clade I Mpox Transmission

The Center for Outbreak Response Innovation (CORI), supported by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the CDC's Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, has classified the US as being in Scenario 4: Sustained Transmission for Clade I mpox.

This indicates ongoing person-to-person transmission chains in some jurisdictions, primarily among adults with multiple sexual partners, including sex workers and men who have sex with men (MSM).

The CDC reported more than 90 Clade I cases across at least 23 states and Puerto Rico as of October 14, 2026. Domestic transmission had been reported in 10 jurisdictions, with additional cases involving people without recent international travel.

Read More: Mpox Spreads in Guinea-Bissau, Half Of Suspected Cases Are Children

Why Is Clade I Mpox A Concern?

Clade I has historically been associated with more severe illness and higher case-fatality rates than Clade II.

Its historical case-fatality rate has been estimated at 1% to 10%, compared with approximately 1% to 4% or lower for Clade II. However, recent Clade I outbreaks have recorded substantially lower mortality, particularly where appropriate medical care is available.

The 2024 global outbreak was driven largely by Clade I, particularly the Clade Ib sub-lineage. On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

What Is Mpox?

Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, the same family of viruses as smallpox.

It spreads through close contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin and sexual contact, exposure to sores or bodily fluids, and contact with contaminated items such as bedding and towels. Transmission can also occur through contact with infected animals.

What Are The Symptoms Of Mpox?

Symptoms generally appear 5 to 21 days after exposure and include:

• Skin rash
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Muscle and body aches
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes

Most people recover within two to four weeks. However, severe illness can occur, particularly in children, pregnant women and immunocompromised people.