Latest news with #UniversityOfMassachusettsAmherst
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Premenstrual disorders may indicate a higher risk for heart disease, study finds
Premenstrual disorders are associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a large, long-term study has found. New research analyzing patient health data from more than 3 million women in Sweden over a 20-year period found that those who were diagnosed with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) had an 11% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease at some point, compared to women who did not have a diagnosis. Younger women who experienced a premenstrual disorder before age 25 had an even stronger risk of developing heart disease, 24%. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the U.S. 'It's another reminder of taking care of your cardiovascular health when you're young and not waiting until you're in your 50s or later,' Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson said, study co-author and professor of epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. In order to be diagnosed with PMS or the more intense PMDD, symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, cramping and food cravings need to be 'bad enough' to be rated as 'moderate' or 'severe,' or have a significant impact on a patient's ability to function, Bertone-Johnson said. The researchers analyzed subtypes of cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, arrhythmias and irregular heartbeat. An arrhythmia occurs when the heart's electrical signals misfire, making the heart beat too quickly or too slowly. Arrhythmias and ischemic heart disease, damage caused by plaque which has built up in the coronary arteries, showed the strongest associations with PMS and PMDD. Although the research did not study the possible reasons behind the link, Bertone-Johnson and other experts believe that premenstrual disorders might indicate other underlying physiological conditions. 'Eventually it will show up as cardiovascular disease, but before that, it shows up in premenstrual symptoms,' Bertone-Johnson said. These conditions can include inflammation and alteration of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system — a hormonal system that regulates blood pressure, Dr. Nieka Goldberg, a cardiologist who specializes in women's health at NYU Langone, said. These inflammatory changes can lead to an increased buildup of plaque around the heart's arteries — increasing the risk of heart disease. Goldberg was not involved in the new research. Even accounting for other cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, weight, medication usage and some pre-existing conditions, women who had been diagnosed with a premenstrual disorder were more likely to develop heart problems. Researchers in Sweden also analyzed pairs of sisters as a way of accounting for genetic and environmental factors. There are limitations to the research. Bertone-Johnson said they looked only at women who had a clinical diagnosis of a premenstrual disorder and, because the population was based in Sweden, the patients were likely mostly white. Dr. Priya Jaisinghani, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone, thinks there should be more focus on women's risk factors for heart disease, which can include reproductive, hormonal and metabolic conditions. This study as well as others suggest a link between PMS and/or PMDD and hypertension, or high blood pressure. Still, high blood pressure is often underdiagnosed in women, according to the Office of Women's Health. Goldberg said that one of the most important implications of this study is how it may pave the way for diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in younger patients. 'This is a great step to early identification of women at risk for heart disease earlier in life,' she said. 'Although the mechanism for heart disease risk in premenstrual disorders will need further study, it is important for doctors to get a complete menstrual history, including the presence of PMD in their patients.' This article was originally published on
Fox News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Congressional intern killed in Washington, D.C. shooting, police offer reward for multiple suspects
A Congressional intern was shot and killed in Washington, D.C. on Monday night. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, died after he was shot around 10:28 p.m. on the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest in Washington, D.C. on Monday night, according to police, and died on Tuesday. An adult female and a 16-year-old male were also shot and taken to local hospitals. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, multiple individuals exited a car and began firing at a group of people. Tarpinian-Jachym isn't believed to have been the intended target of the shooting, officials said. Tarpinian-Jachym was an intern for Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.), according to a statement from his office. He was a rising senior majoring in finance with a minor in political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. "I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Estes said. "We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time." Phillip Peterson, one of Tarpinian-Jachym's friends, told Fox News Digital that he "was a very easy-going person to be around." "We met in early January and we really started to hit things off," Peterson said. "After the program we discussed becoming roommates, but I didn't want to move back to D.C. because I despise the culture so much. Unfortunately that fell through. I legitimately do regret now not going back to D.C. just so I could have spent more time with my friend." Tarpinian-Jachym also participated in a spring fellowship with The Fund for American Studies, which said the college student's hometown is Aberdeen, Mississippi. The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a $25,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest and conviction, and are encouraged to contact (202) 727-9099.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym killed when gunman opens fire in tragic Washington D.C. shooting
A Congressional intern was killed in Washington, D.C. after being struck by bullets when gunmen opened fire on a group of people. Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, an intern for Representative Ron Estes, was fatally shot late Monday night in what authorities believe was a targeted attack near the U.S. Capitol. Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target but an innocent bystander in the tragic shooting. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department responded to reports of gunfire around 10:30 p.m. near 1200 7th Street. Upon arrival, they found Tarpinian-Jachym unconscious, along with two other victims who were conscious. According to the department, multiple suspects exited a vehicle and opened fire on a group of people, striking three individuals. All three victims - Tarpinian-Jachym, a woman, and a 16-year-old male - suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to a nearby hospital. Tarpinian-Jachym succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on Tuesday, ABC News reported. According to a LinkedIn profile believed to belong to him, Tarpinian-Jachym had been interning for Representative Estes for about two months. Before that, he reportedly worked for a government relations firm, also in Washington, D.C. A rising senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Tarpinian-Jachym was majoring in finance with a minor in political science. Representative Ron Estes and his wife, Susan, released a statement offering their condolences to the Tarpinian-Jachym family. 'I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile,' Estes said in a press release. 'We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas' 4th District and the country.' Estes has represented Kansas' 4th Congressional District since 2017. He currently serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Budget Committee, the Joint Economic Committee, and chairs the Social Security Subcommittee. Representative Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts also acknowledged Tarpinian-Jachym's death in a statement Wednesday, noting that he was a Springfield native and alumnus of Pope Francis Preparatory School. 'A rising senior at UMass Amherst, Eric was in D.C. interning on Capitol Hill, pursuing his passion for public service,' Neal said. 'Eric embodied what it means to be part of a community committed to learning, growth, and civic engagement.' Neal also expressed sympathy for Tarpinian-Jachym's family, stating, 'Any parent will tell you there is no greater pain than the pain of losing a child.' The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at (202) 727-9099 or text tips to 50411.
