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.

A family trip to the beach ended in a painful ordeal for a 27-year-old man after he suffered third-degree burns after unknowingly stepping on sand that had been heated by a disposable barbecue.

The incident has prompted burn specialists to warn that the hidden danger can remain long after the flames have been extinguished.

What Happened?

The incident occurred at Cefn Sidan Beach in Carmarthenshire, Wales, where Sam Knight had arrived to spend the day with his family.

According to local reports, Knight moved the disposable barbecue with tongs and poured water over it to extinguish the residual flame before leaving.

Believing the area was safe, he later walked barefoot over the same spot, only to step onto extremely hot sand beneath the surface.

"I instantly knew something wasn't right. I couldn't stand on my feet," Knight recalled.

Family members had to carry him off the beach before he was taken to hospital for treatment. He was later referred to a specialist burns unit and was unable to work for two weeks while recovering.

Knight said he shared his experience to raise awareness about a hazard many beachgoers may not think about.

"I didn't realise the sand could stay that hot after the barbecue had been put out. I just don't want anyone else to go through what I did."

Also read: Europe Swelters Under Heatwave And Wildfires; 360,000+ Evacuated: What Are The Health Risks?

Why Hot Sand Can Be More Dangerous Than The Barbecue?

Burn specialists say the barbecue itself is not always the greatest risk. But the sand beneath it can absorb and retain extreme heat, remaining hot enough to cause third-degree burns even after the barbecue has been removed.

David Fligelstone, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Swansea Bay University Health Board's Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, warned that people often underestimate how long the heat can remain trapped.

"The sand underneath a disposable barbecue can stay dangerously hot even after the barbecue has been removed. People assume it's safe because they can't see the heat, but the injury can be severe," he said.

Also read: UK, France Brace for Another Heatwave: How Hot Weather Can Affect Medicines

How To Stay Safe?

These burns typically require specialist medical care and can take weeks or even months to heal. Burns affecting the feet are particularly concerning because they can make walking difficult and increase the risk of infection.

Experts recommend a few simple precautions when using disposable barbecues:

• Never place a disposable barbecue directly on sand.
• Use a suitable stand or designated barbecue area whenever possible.
• Allow the barbecue to cool completely before disposing of it.
• Do not bury hot coals or cover them with sand, as the heat can remain trapped beneath the surface.
• Keep children and pets away from areas where a barbecue has recently been used.
• If you are not sure whether sand is safe, avoid walking barefoot around area.

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has decertified Network for Hope, the federally funded organ procurement organization (OPO), which serves Kentucky and parts of Ohio, and West Virginia.

HHS officials cited "persistent safety failures" that could undermine public trust in organ transplantation as the reason for their move.

The move comes after months-long federal investigation into cases where organ recovery procedures were initiated despite patients showing signs of life.

The announcement marks one of the most significant federal actions against an organ procurement organization in recent years. It comes amid a bigger overhaul of the US organ transplant system.

"We're taking action because one bad apple can undermine trust in the entire transplant system," US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said while announcing the proposed decertification, adding that patient safety and trust must remain the highest priority.

Why Was The Investigation Triggered?

The investigation stems from a widely reported 2021 case involving a Kentucky man who was being evaluated for organ donation after a drug overdose.

According to federal officials, preparations for organ retrieval continued even though the patient reportedly began showing neurological signs suggesting he was regaining consciousness. The procedure was ultimately halted, and the man survived.

Following that incident, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reviewed 351 cases in which organ donation had been authorized but not completed.

Also read: Dr. Erica Schwartz Confirmed As CDC’s First Permanent Director In Nearly A Year

Federal investigators found:

• 103 cases showed concerning features.
• 73 patients displayed neurological signs considered incompatible with organ donation.
• At least 28 patients may not have been deceased when organ procurement activities began, raising serious ethical and legal concerns.

Investigators also pointed out ineffective neurological examinations, inadequate coordination between hospitals and procurement teams, questionable consent practices, and inconsistencies and errors in determining causes of death, particularly in cases of deaths due to overdose.

Push-Back From Network For Hope

Also read: Surgeon Barred From Practice After Connecting Wrong Parts of Patient’s Bowels During Emergency Surgery

Network for Hope has rejected the allegations and said it plans to appeal the proposed decertification.

In a statement, the organization said it "strongly disagrees" with the decision and maintains that it follows federal policies governing organ donation.

It also said that it has already introduced additional safeguards and strict policies, including instructing staff to stop organ donation procedures if ethical and legal concerns arise.

Public Confidence In Organ Donation

Most importantly, OPOs have no authority to declare death. That decision is made independently by hospital physicians before any organ recovery process can begin.

Most organ donations occur after brain death or circulatory death under strict medical protocols.

Earlier investigations into the Kentucky cases caused led to removing themselves from organ donor registries, raising concerns that safety controversies could reduce the availability of organs for patients awaiting transplantation.

Currently, more than 100,000 Americans are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, with kidneys accounting for the majority of the demand. While organ donation remains one of the most effective ways to save lives, public confidence is essential to keeping donor registrations high.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), making her the public health agency's first permanent leader in nearly a year after months of uncertainty. The Senate approved her nomination in a 51-44 vote on August 5.

President Donald Trump nominated Schwartz in April, calling her "incredibly talented." During her confirmation hearing, she pledged to lead the CDC with transparency and scientific integrity.

She succeeds acting CDC Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who had been leading the agency since February.

"I will lead with transparency, scientific integrity and accountability," Schwartz told senators during her confirmation hearing.

Schwartz, a physician, lawyer and former U.S. Deputy Surgeon General has an extensive background in medicine.

She takes charge of the CDC at a time when it is battling multiple outbreaks, staff shortages and growing scrutiny and uncertainty over its scientific independence.

Why Dr. Erica Schwartz's Appointment Is Key?

The agency has also undergone major workforce reductions while responding to several public health challenges, including a resurgence of measles, foodborne illness outbreaks and international infectious disease threats.

Schwartz's appointment is expected to bring stability to an agency that plays a central role in tracking disease outbreaks, issuing vaccination recommendations, responding to health emergencies and guiding public health policy in the US.

Also read: US Measles Cases Reach 2,371; RFK Jr Takes U-Turn, Urges Families to Vaccinate Kids

Who is Dr. Erica Schwartz?

Schwartz obtained her medical degree from Brown University and also holds a Master of Public Health and a law degree. She served in the U.S. Navy before joining the U.S. Public Health Service, where she later became Deputy Surgeon General during President Trump's first administration.

She has also served as Chief Medical Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard and most recently held leadership positions in the private healthcare sector.

Her confirmation comes as public health experts closely watch how the CDC balances scientific decision-making with increasing political scrutiny.

Many believe her appointment will be critical in rebuilding confidence in one of the world's most influential public health agencies.

Also read: One In Three Hospital Patients With Serious Mould Infections Died, CDC Study Finds

Erica Schwartz Backs Vaccines, Calls for Autism Research

Dr. Erica Schwartz is President Donald Trump's third CDC nominee in less than two years.

Schwartz ha pledged to restore public trust in the CDC through transparency and evidence-based decision-making during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).

Throughout her nomination hearing, Schwartz repeatedly expressed support for vaccines, including mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, and strongly endorsed vitamin K injections for newborns to prevent life-threatening bleeding.

Although she also acknowledged that scientific evidence does not support that vaccines cause autism, she argued that more research is needed to better understand the rising cases of autism.

"We owe it to the American people to figure out why one in 30 children now has autism," she said.

Schwartz stated that she did not believe either President Trump or Health Secretary Kennedy would ask her to take actions that would harm public health or violate the law.