News from UTMB

Delivery of a small, full-term infant puts mothers at risk for heart disease

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:00:00 EDT

Such pregnancies may induce long-term cardiovascular changes; may help predict disease decades before onset

Southeast Texas Poison Center celebrates 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:00:00 EDT

Poison centers around the country will celebrate the 50th anniversary of National Poison Prevention Week March 18-24

Research sheds light on how immune system’s ‘first responders’ target infection

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 01:00:00 EST

UTMB researchers have discovered previously unsuspected aspects of the guidance system used by the body’s first line of defense against infection.

UTMB Health Awareness Campaign Update

Thu, 1 Mar 2012 01:00:00 EST

UTMB Health launched the second wave of its advertising campaign with an emphasis on access.

Number of girls’ knee injuries rising sharply

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST

Today’s new cadre of young female athletes is particularly prone to a knee condition called patellofemoral pain syndrome.

5 steps to a healthy heart for Valentine's Day

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST

Keeping salt and saturated fat content low in your diet will help reduce risks of high blood pressure and dangerous cholesterol.

A Happy Heart is a Healthy Heart

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST

By Drs. Naveed Adoni and Ken Fujise

We’ve all been intuitively aware that a positive attitude can make you feel better. As doctors, we’re constantly reminding people how diabetes or smoking can increase your risk of heart disease. And, of course, medical advances help us treat and prevent the risk of heart disease. But not much attention has been given to the fact that being happy, in love or just plain positive in nature can lower your risk of heart disease.

The Canadian Nova Scotia Health Survey, a large study with 10 years of follow-up, showed that people who generally are happier or have a positive outlook on life were 22 percent less likely of developing coronary artery disease.

This positive attitude has been shown to influence factors that contribute to good heart health, including decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressures, enhanced modulation of heart rate, a lower risk of developing diabetes and lower stress and lower cortisol levels. (Too much cortisol can lead people to crave “comfort foods” that lead to obesity.) And it can also improve a body’s immune system.

Being happy and positive also can help you lower your risk of a stroke. Other positive indicators include decreasing the mortality rate among hospital patients as well as diabetic patients. It has been shown to decrease rates of death and heart attacks in patients after a coronary stent procedure.

Conversely, several studies have associated anger, hostility and depression with increased deaths and heart attacks in both healthy people and those with known history of coronary heart disease.

The “positive affect’ is relatively easy to judge in clinical trials. Does the patient smile and enjoy aspects of life during the clinical interview or history taking? Does he or she experience pleasure and excitement in daily life and enjoy hobbies and interaction with family and friends? Interestingly, studies have shown that the beneficial effects of the positive affect are largely independent of a negative mood. In other words, a generally happy, contented person can reap the cardio-protective benefits of these attributes and still occasionally be angry or depressed.

So, on this Valentine’s Day, do your heart some good by expressing your love and gratitude to loved ones. Being happy and cheerful not only will make you and your heart feel good, it’s much cheaper than a visit to the cardiologist!

Dr. Ken Fujise is head of the division of cardiology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, and Dr. Naveed Adoni is a cardiology resident at UTMB.

Public invited to celebrate opening of UTMB’s new Comprehensive Maternity Center

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST

After delivering nearly 20,000 babies in the three years since Hurricane Ike, UTMB will open a new, state-of-the-art Comprehensive Maternity Center.

Untangling the mysteries of Alzheimer’s

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST

UTMB researchers have found new evidence that confirms the significance of tau to Alzheimer’s.

UTMB dedicates Sugar Land clinic for women and children

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:00:00 EST

UTMB has served the families in Fort Bend County for many years with a Regional Maternal and Child Clinic in Stafford.

A 5-step combo to prevent and recover from cancer

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:00:00 EST

An estimated 70 percent of cancers are related to or modifiable by lifestyle choices.

Scientists learn how stem cell implants help heal traumatic brain injury

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:00:00 EST

UTMB Researchers have identified key mechanism by which implanted human neural stem cells aid recovery from traumatic axonal injury.

UTMB Health schools, offices, and most clinics closed Monday, Jan. 16 for MLK Day

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:00:00 EST

The University of Texas Medical Branch will salute the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012. UTMB Health schools, business areas, administrative offices, and most of UTMB’s clinics will close in honor of the national day of recognition.

UTMB Hospitals and the Emergency Department WILL BE OPEN, along with the following Pediatric Urgent Care Clinics (walk-in patients welcome):

Pediatric After Hours Urgent Care (League City)
Open Noon – 8 p.m. on MLK Day, Jan. 16 (open regular hours during weekend, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
3023 Marina Bay Drive, Suite 101 (next to CVS, across from South Shore Harbour)
(409) 772-3695 or (888) 886-2543

Pediatric After Hours Urgent Care (Galveston)
Open Noon – 8 p.m. on MLK Day, Jan. 16 (open regular hours during weekend, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
2027 61st St. (just south of Heards Lane)
(409) 772-3695 or (888) 886-2543

All other clinics are closed on MLK Day.

All UTMB Health facilities will reopen on their regular schedules on Tuesday, Jan 17. For more information about UTMB Health clinics and patient services, please visit www.UTMBhealth.com, or call the UTMB Access Center at (409) 772-2222 or toll-free at (800) 917-8906.

Risk of stillbirth associated with factors known early in pregnancy

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:00:00 EST

Largest, most comprehensive study finds previous stillbirth, prior pregnancy history strongest indicators of stillbirth risk; lifestyle choices also play a role

$5 million grant from U.S. Department of Labor will train workers in Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:00:00 EST

A stimulus grant of $5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor will fund a new four-year program at UTMB to educate long-term unemployed individuals as clinical laboratory science professionals