Most people experience chest pain at some point, but how do you know if it’s a heart attack or simply heartburn or anxiety? Understanding the differences between cardiovascular events and other causes of chest pain can save you a trip to the emergency room. It’s also important because the discomfort could be caused by other urgent conditions, as well as less serious issues that may point to a chronic medical problem.

When we hear about a “broken heart”, most people think about an emotional reaction rather than an actual medical problem. However, there is a direct link between severe emotional or physical stress and a potentially serious condition known as broken heart syndrome.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re surrounded by images of idealized love: fragrant roses, luscious chocolates, and red-hot romance. But for those recovering from a substance use disorder, romantic love can be complicated. Relationships with partners or spouses may be bruised, broken, or a work in progress.

February is American Heart Month, an annual observance designed to increase awareness about heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Each year, one in four deaths is caused by heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Fortunately, almost 80 percent of heart disease cases can be prevented when people make healthier choices and manage their medical conditions.

UAB Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology ranks No. 10 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 - 2020 Best Hospitals list and continues to demonstrate excellence in clinical care, research, and training, as the highest ranked UAB program for 28 years. This past fiscal year saw incredible grant funding, publication submissions, patient volumes, and faculty and fellow retention. It is exciting to imagine what 2020 holds for the division!

The New Year is full of possibilities and promises. We’ll eat more broccoli and stop using the treadmill as a coat rack. We’ll count to 10 when our spouse gets on our nerves. We’ll skip Starbucks and tuck that money away for a rainy day. We’ll flush the pills or pour the whiskey down the drain – for good.

When frail or elderly people suffer bone fractures due to mild trauma to their bodies, we might tend to think of these injuries simply as a common risk of old age. However, these “fragility fractures” – which usually occur in those with weak bone tissue – can be serious and may even lead to death.

The holidays are over, and now it’s training season for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz Marathon — a three-day event that caps off with the full 26-mile run on Sunday, February 16 at Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham.

Nearly half of all Americans take a prescription medication. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25% of Americans take three or more prescription drugs, and 12% take at least five medications.