Latest news with #silentkiller
Sky News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Sky News
'Silent killer' heatwave thought to have left at least 9 dead in Europe
At least nine people in Europe have died in savage heat this week as a "silent killer" heatwave continues to bake the continent. In Italy, scorching temperatures of up to 38C forced officials to issue the most severe red alerts across 17 major cities, including Milan and Rome, while several regions banned outdoor work in the afternoon. But the sweltering conditions - locked in by a 'heat dome' hovering over Europe - have already been implicated in the death of at least one labourer. Local reports say Brahim Ait El Hajjam, 47, keeled over in the midday sun while pouring concrete in a car park on the outskirts of Bologna, which was also under a red alert. Two men over 60 died on beaches in Sardinia, the ANSA news agency reported, and in Sicily's capital Palermo, a 53-year-old woman died on Monday after reportedly fainting while walking along a street. Local media said she had an existing heart condition. The results of post-mortem examinations have not been published, but heatwaves kill thousands of people a year in Europe, earning them the nickname the "silent killer". During the long, baking summer of 2022 in Europe, its hottest on record, 61,000 people died because of the heat, a study found. The head of Italy's society for emergency medicine (SIMEU), Doctor Alessandro Riccardi, said A&E admissions have spiked in the current heatwave. "We have observed a 10% increase in admissions compared to the national average, with some peaks (up to 20%) in Sardinia, which is among the regions most affected by the temperature at the moment," he told Sky News. "More than absolute numbers, the composition of patients has changed, with an increase in patients requiring hospitalisation, and on this, the temperature plays a predominant role". How does heat affect the body? Heat sends the body into overdrive as it has to work harder to pump blood and keep itself cool. The strain stresses the heart and kidneys and can lead to organ failure, heart attack and kidney failure - so heat stress often worsens existing cardiovascular and other problems. Dr Akshay Deoras from Reading University said: "Heatwaves are deadly." Prolonged heat exposure can "overwhelm the body's ability to regulate temperature, leading to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and potentially fatal heatstroke", he said. It should be treated "with the same seriousness we give to dangerous storms", he added. Power down and food burned Temperatures in Italy are expected to remain in the high 30s into Friday, with the mercury likely to hit 39C in Florence today. The heat was also blamed for power blackouts in central Florence and Bergamo, likely due to a surge in demand for energy driven by air conditioning. Farmers have complained of burned fruit and vegetables and a drop in milk production. In Spain, fierce temperatures have soared even higher, reaching 46C in Huelva on Saturday and 37.9C in Barcelona yesterday, where officials are also investigating whether the death of a street sweeper at the weekend was heat-related. Authorities also reported heatwave-linked deaths in Extremadura and Cordoba. France's energy minister reported two deaths with a direct link to the heatwave, and 300 more taken to hospital. Its capital could see 40C heat again today, and the top of the Eiffel Tower remains closed, as do hundreds of schools. Meanwhile, in Germany, firefighters tackled several forest fires in the eastern states of Brandenburg and Saxony amid 40C (104F) temperatures in some areas. Early heatwave a worry What is worrying officials is that this heatwave began in June, whereas such high temperatures usually only come in July and August. Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at ECMWF, says: "The current June-July heatwave is exposing millions of Europeans to high heat stress." She added: " Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, more intense, and impacting larger geographical areas." 1:55 All this has come as the world has warmed by 1.3C on average since the pre-industrial era. It is on course to warm by about 3C by 2100. High temperatures happened before humans changed the climate, but global warming is making them more common and more intense, turning mild weather hot, and heatwaves more dangerous than they would have been.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Hucknall man's charity walk after surviving 'silent killer'
"It's a really, really serious condition. They call it a silent killer."James Houghton was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm after being rushed to the Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham in May underwent three major operations to save his life in the five months that followed, including two open heart on medication for life, the 47-year-old from Hucknall in Nottinghamshire is now in good health and will be walking 25km with his family on Saturday to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The father-of-two explained how he had been getting ready to go to bed when he started to feel unwell and noticed a "strange sensation" in his chest."It was just a pain when I inhaled," he said."I had to have the shallowest breaths in order to not feel that pain, which is obviously not normal."But me being a typical bloke, I didn't really do anything about that until the wife realised I was still doing it the following morning and that's when we called the ambulance." After being diagnosed at the QMC, James was transferred to Nottingham City Hospital where he had to have open heart surgery to repair the aneurysm and a faulty bicuspid valve, which regulates blood flow from the heart to the returned home, but quickly deteriorated after developing endocarditis, a heart six weeks, James was back in hospital for a second open heart surgery, this time to have a mechanical valve dad, Paul Houghton, said renal experts did not think he would survive another operation, adding "but there was no choice"."He was then in a coma, which was normal, and we expected him to come out after two or three days," he explained."He didn't, and after nine days his poor wife was asked to go in and say goodbye to him because he was that ill and the doctors really didn't think he would pull added: "Miraculously, he survived it." But James's hospital treatment was not over yet - the femoral artery burst in his leg as a complication from his previous needed a third operation to repair it and save his life once told the BBC he feels "crazy lucky" to have survived."[I] can't really fathom it when I think about it afterwards," James said."I was on a natural high for about a year afterwards. Every petal, every rainbow, every cloud was amazing."It was a brilliant, brilliant way to feel and that all came from just recognising how lucky I was."The NHS says abdominal aortic aneurysms are most commonly seen in men over Birdi, the consultant who performed both of James's open heart surgeries, said: "I've been doing cardiac surgery for 25 to 30 years now, I have never seen an aneurysm so large in such a young patient."For a man in his early 40s to have such a huge aneurysm and then ultimately survive it and be doing what he's doing today, is a very rare thing. Probably the only time I've seen it in my clinical career."Since James's diagnosis, his immediate family have all had heart scans. A potentially similar heart defect has been found in his younger sister and one of his sons. They will now be monitored to ensure their hearts remain healthy. Three generations of James's family will take part in the Peak District Ultra Challenge on Saturday.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
I'm a cancer surgeon - here's why everyone must learn the three subtle signs of lethal pancreatic cancer
A top cancer surgeon has warned of the three subtle early warning signs of pancreatic cancer which are far too often missed. Dr Ahmed Ezzat, an NHS surgeon urged people to look out for the hidden symptoms of the deadly disease, as data shows four in five patients are diagnosed at late stages, when the prognosis is bleak. 'Pancreatic cancer has some of the poorest outcomes of all cancers,' the surgeon warned in a TikTok video that's so far garnered over 180,900 views. 'Less than 10 per cent of all patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will make it to 10 years after diagnosis. Let's do something about it.' Dubbed the 'silent killer' due to its subtle symptoms which means the disease, pancreatic cancer kills around 100,000 people in the UK every year. This is the equivalent to one death every hour, with pancreatic cancer believed to be one of 14 cancers on the rise. Now, people need to be vigilant and get specific changes to their health investigated by their GP, said Dr Ezzat. The most subtle sign he shared in the video is a change in blood sugar levels, which can present itself as erratic hunger pangs. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the least survivable forms of the disease and worryingly its on the rise. Source for data: Cancer Research UK 'A sign that can be quite subtle is developing type 2 diabetes, or if you're a well-controlled diabetic, suddenly noticing a change in your blood sugars becoming poorly controlled,' he explained. 'This is because the pancreas produces insulin, which is responsible for regulating your blood sugar.' The pancreas is aids digestion and produces hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, which help convert sugar from food into energy. Pancreatic cancer can inhibit the gland from making enough of these hormones—which can lead to unstable blood sugar levels. 'If you notice this symptom, then you need to make sure you get investigated urgently by your GP', Dr Ezzat warned his 53,900 followers. Another little-known sign to be aware of is unexplained abdominal pain, or back pain—which the NHS says may feel worse when eating or lying down, and better when you lean forward. Dr Ezzat said: 'If you notice signs of abdominal aches or back pain then this is really important to get investigated by your GP because this could be a sign of pancreatic cancer.' According to the NHS, symptoms of indigestion, such as feeling bloated, are also a red flag. However, not everyone with pancreatic cancer will experience abdominal pain. The final warning sign to look out for is jaundice, the medic said. 'Jaundice is yellowing in the skin, but can start off most obviously in the whites of the eyes,' the NHS surgeon explained. There are a lot of possible causes of jaundice—often caused by a build of a yellow substance called bilirubin in the body—including liver disease or cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, jaundice is more common in people whose cancer develops in the head of pancreas, meaning the tumour blocks the bile duct. This duct normally carries bile into the small bowel, but when it becomes blocked, the bile leaks into the bloodstream, turning the skin yellow. However, Dr Ezzat said it is often easier to spot in the whites of the eyes rather than the skin. Other common symptoms of the deadly cancer include loss of appetite, fatigue, a high temperature, feeling or being sick, and diarrhoea or constipation. Dr Ezzat'swarning comes as research published earlier this year suggested that more than half of patients diagnosed with the six 'least curable' cancers—including lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, stomach and pancreatic cancers—die within a year of their diagnosis. More than 90,000 people are diagnosed with one of these deadly cancers in the UK every year, accounting for nearly half of all common cancer deaths, according to Cancer Research UK. Harry Potter actor Alan Rickman is just one of the many celebrities who has died of pancreatic cancer, just six months after his diagnosis in 2016. Around 10,500 people are diagnosed with the disease in the UK each year, and more than half of patients will die within three months of diagnosis. Less than even per cent live for five years. There are currently no early detection tests and approximately 80 per cent of people are not diagnosed until the cancer has spread, meaning life-saving treatment is no longer possible.
News24
13-05-2025
- Health
- News24
Why experts say women must act now against rising blood pressure
One in three adults live with high blood pressure in South Africa. Because there are rarely any symptoms or visible signs to warn of high blood pressure, this illness is often to as a 'silent killer'. In fact, high blood pressure is one of the most serious risk factors for death from heart diseases and strokes, responsible for 13% of all deaths globally. As the world observes World Hypertension Day on May 17, studies show that South African women face disproportionally high rates of hypertension. Leading experts are calling for more gender-sensitive approaches to heart health, focusing not only on treatment, but also on prevention and holistic care. While men typically experience a gradual rise in blood pressure from their 20s, women face unique risk factors. These include gestational hypertension, high blood pressure during pregnancy and more significantly around menopause, when hormonal changes affect how blood vessel's function. 'Even in women with no family history of high blood pressure, experiencing it during pregnancy significantly increases their risk later in life,' says Ingrid Singels, Marketing Manager of Pharma Dynamics' Scientific Division. Read more | Key factors to know about glaucoma's impact on your eyesight 'After menopause, the drop in estrogen reduces nitric oxide, which normally helps keep blood vessels relaxed and leads to increased blood pressure. This is why postmenopausal women often display higher systolic blood pressure than men of the same age, along with stiffer arteries and increased reninangiotensin system activity contributing to this shift.' This is backed by a review in the Netherlands Heart Journal, which confirms that 30-50% of women develop hypertension before age 60, with the risk increasing due to central fat distribution, diabetes and elevated insulin resistance during the menopausal transition. In South Africa, the challenge is even more acute. Hypertension in women increased from 31% in 1998 to 48% in 2016, according to national health data. This increase has been driven in part by unhealthy dietary habits, such as the high consumption of sugary drinks, processed foods and salt-rich meals, which have contributed to widespread obesity. A 2020 study of South African adults found that women with higher waist-to-hip ratios were 1.75 times more likely to have hypertension and those with diabetes were three times more likely to be hypertensive. Furthermore, socioeconomic disparities lead to unequal access to healthcare, nutritious food and consistent follow-up care. Public health experts argue this makes targeted interventions a must. Singels remarks that women not only face an increased risk, but also react differently to hypertension medications. Read more | Here are 5 habits you should consider changing in your lifestyle A 2022 study from the University of Chicago found that women experience nearly twice the number of adverse drug reactions as men, often due to sex differences in drug metabolism and absorption. 'Many antihypertensive drugs were tested predominantly on men and therefore might not be fully optimised for women's physiology. This makes lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake, healthy eating, regular exercise, stress management, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and ensuring adequate sleep essential components of hypertension management in women,' says Singels. 'It's also crucial for women to engage in regular screenings, including blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring. Your healthcare practitioner should also check for hormonal fluctuations, which can affect blood pressure.' As awareness grows around the unique ways hypertension affects women, especially during and after menopause, there is a pressing need for more inclusive research, education and care models. By prioritising early detection, gender-sensitive treatment plans and sustainable lifestyle changes, SA healthcare can take meaningful strides in reducing the burden of hypertension among women.
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Big Brother star diagnosed with ‘silent killer' condition – leaving her ‘crying and screaming'
A FORMER Big Brother contestant has opened up on being diagnosed with a "silent killer" condition that she described as her "personal idea of hell". Harry Amelia Martin, 32, took part in the then-Channel 5 series in 2015 and became one of the series' most talked-about housemates thanks to her romance with co-star Nick Henderson and regularly strolling around the abode topless. 4 4 4 Now, she has told how her life was "ground to a halt" after receiving some unsettling news during a routine echocardiogram. In a lengthy Instagram post, she revealed that it had uncovered a condition she described as a "silent killer" and "one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death." The former model shared a video clip of her throughout various stages of her treatment as she opened up to her fans on what had been going on. Harry Amelia said: "The truth is, during a routine echocardiogram (some subtypes of EDS can affect your heart valves) it uncovered a condition that is one of the leading causes of sudden cardiac death. "When symptoms are present, they often mimic POTS , but unlike this genetic fault, POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndromeis) relatively harmless - just quite exhausting, but it doesn't kill you! "Overnight, my life ground to a complete halt, I was stuck in my own personal idea of hell, which felt like Groundhog Day, day after day doing nothing but the same things." The former reality TV star continued: "I couldn't relax. I couldn't enjoy myself. "I became an anxious mess as I didn't know what symptoms were POTS, & what were this 'silent killer' - responsible for 5–10% of sudden deaths in people under the age of 65, with the average age being just 30 years old. "Naturally, I have lost my s*** Harry style on multiple occasions & probably driven everyone close to me to despair. "There's been a lot of panic attacks, frustrated screaming, crying, bed rotting, & I think I've thrown myself more pity parties in recent months than I have in my whole life - & as you all know, my life has often been quite a colourful ride." Harry, who shares a child with her Big Brother co-star ex, admitted that she was still awaiting further tests and had been aiming to reduce stress at all possible opportunities. The star ended her post by saying: "Hopefully, with the right treatment plan I'll be reborn & flourishing again soon, until then I'm staying positive & grateful for my little life of Hunter, my animals & my chosen family. "That alongside my amazing other half have pulled me out the darkness more times than I care to count over the past few months." Following her brave and emotional post, Harry was inundated with messages of support from her followers. What is POTS? According to the NHS, Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) is when "your heart rate increases very quickly after getting up from sitting or lying down, often making you feel dizzy or lightheaded." Guidance suggests that it can affect everyone differently, ranging from mild symptoms to those causing an unavoidable impact on everyday life. Some of the symptoms listed by the NHS include: dizziness or lightheadedness noticeable heartbeats (heart palpitations) chest pain shortness of breath shaking and sweating fainting or nearly fainting Whilst, more other serious symptoms could include: problems with your stomach or digestion, such as feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and tummy pain headaches and problems with your sight, such as blurred vision or tunnel vision your hands and feet looking purple – this may be more difficult to see if you have brown or black skin weakness and extreme tiredness (fatigue), not being able to do much exercise, and sleeping badly problems with thinking, memory and concentration (brain fog) Source: NHS 4
