Credit: iStock/Michail_Petrov-96 Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. CAD affects 1 in 20 adults. When the vessels that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood and vital nutrients (called coronary arteries) become narrowed or obstructed over time, this is referred to as coronary artery disease. The narrowing of vessels is … Continue reading Spotlight On: Coronary Artery Disease
Cardiovascular System
High Hopes for Marijuana Research
Credit: iStock Marijuana legalization has been a controversial topic among the public, health care professionals and policymakers for decades due to the federal government’s classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug. The categorization—defined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse”—places marijuana … Continue reading High Hopes for Marijuana Research
Physiology Continues to Help You Protect Your Health
American Physiology Summit attendees attend the poster reception in April 2023. Scientists who study physiology are gathering in Long Beach, California, this week for the 2024 American Physiology Summit—a conference dedicated to sharing discoveries on the cutting-edge of bioscience. Studies highlighted at the Summit span from racial differences in small artery disease in prostate cancer … Continue reading Physiology Continues to Help You Protect Your Health
Are You at Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Credit: iStock Peripheral arterial disease, also called peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease that affects the blood vessels in the limbs. Roughly 6.5 million people age 40 and older in the U.S. have PAD. This number is expected to increase due to the number of people with diabetes, which is a major risk factor … Continue reading Are You at Risk for Peripheral Arterial Disease?
Spotlight On: Atherosclerosis and Cholesterol
Credit: iStock Atherosclerosis, a disease that affects the large vessels of the body and typically progresses over time, is one of the major causes of heart attack and stroke. It begins with the development of fatty streaks in the blood vessels, which can start forming as early as childhood. Compounds that cause inflammation (including cholesterol … Continue reading Spotlight On: Atherosclerosis and Cholesterol
Is What’s Healthy in the Eye of the Beholder?
Credit: iStock In physiology research, the term “placebo effect” refers to the positive effects that result from our perception of something being healthy. For example, exercise benefits our health, but just knowing exercise is good for us may also enhance its benefits. There’s also a phenomenon known as the “nocebo effect”—negative effects that happen when … Continue reading Is What’s Healthy in the Eye of the Beholder?
Fighting Social Isolation and Loneliness to Protect Our Health
Credit: iStock People are social creatures, and we are meant to connect with others. However, when we are alone, when we feel alone or isolated, or when we struggle to find meaning in our lives, we can become lonely. Loneliness has become a serious public health concern that affects people of all ages, genders and … Continue reading Fighting Social Isolation and Loneliness to Protect Our Health
How Can Walking and Wearing Socks Help Video Gamers?
Credit: iStock Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—otherwise known as blood clots in the legs—is a potentially dangerous condition. It interrupts blood flow and can become life-threatening, especially if the clot travels to your lungs. DVT was mainly associated with older people who don’t move around much or those who travel on long flights. But today, DVT … Continue reading How Can Walking and Wearing Socks Help Video Gamers?
Are Cheerios the Superhero of Our Hearts?
Credit: iStock Will a bowl of Cheerios a day keep the plaque away? Sort of. In recent years, an interesting phenomenon has taken root. Popular media promotes the notion that a simple breakfast cereal such as Cheerios can serve as a miraculous remedy for reducing the complex issue of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a common condition … Continue reading Are Cheerios the Superhero of Our Hearts?
2023’s Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts
Credit: iStock This year, as science celebrated the discoveries that gave us mRNA vaccines to fight COVID-19 and gene editing treatments for sickle cell disease, our contributors also brought you fascinating, fun and insightful physiology stories on the I Spy Physiology blog. From the always-popular topic of spaceflight to the always-important matter of mental health, … Continue reading 2023’s Most-read I Spy Physiology Posts