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Today is the “Great American Smokeout.” The initiative is held every year to encourage people to quit smoking. But it’s not just smoking that’s a concern; so is vaping. A recent study shows those who vape are 19% more likely to develop heart failure than those who have never done it before. “The study was looking at, with this new trend of vaping, does it actually affect the heart in such a way that it causes the heart to fail? Heart failure is an extremely dangerous condition and very prominent. So anytime that we can look for causes that are reversible, we want to look for them,” stated Dr. Nina Thakkar Rivera, Cleveland Clinic.

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Researchers say people's blood pressure control has not improved over recent years, and those high numbers could lead to a higher risk of a stroke. A study led by the University of Michigan Health finds those years of high systolic blood pressure—that's the top number on the blood pressure reading—significantly increase an adult's risk of having the two most common types of stroke. In fact, for every 10 points higher, the risk of ischemic stroke goes up 20% and the risk of brain hemorrhage increases by 30 percent. The physician who led the study says it's essential to get ahead of this condition.

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July 29, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety: (COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services have launched a statewide campaign called Every Minute Counts that encourages all Ohioans to learn basic bystander care. It can often take two minutes before bystanders realize someone is suffering a medical emergency.  Each minute that passes without bystander intervention decreases the chances of survival significantly.

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While extreme heat can impact everyone’s heart, older people and those with preexisting heart issues are especially at risk. It’s also important to remember that certain blood pressure medicines as well as other medications can increase your risk of dehydration. To avoid issues during a heatwave, Dr. Gonzalez said it’s best to check the weather and try to stay inside at the hottest points of the day.

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It's National CPR and AED Awareness Month, and doctors say that learning the basics could mean the difference between life and death. Our Ellie Janzen has the story. If you come across a person who is not breathing or does not have a pulse, would you know what to do?  The American Red Cross says immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after a cardiac arrest. Before you start, call 9-1-1 to get EMS, then start with chest compression, 100 to 120 times a minute. The best way to remember that is with the rhythm of the song "Staying Alive." Mouth-to-mouth is not recommended anymore, but the sooner you act, the better.