Heart Coverage

Heart pump is linked to 49 deaths, the FDA warns

A troubled heart pump that has now been linked to 49 deaths and dozens of injuries worldwide will be allowed to remain in use, despite the Food and Drug Administration's decision to issue an alert about the risk that it could puncture a wall of the heart.

Christina Jewett, New York Times

Diet drinks may boost risk of dangerous heart condition by 20%, study says

(CNN) — Drinking two liters or more per week of artificially sweetened beverages — the equivalent of a medium-sized fast-food diet soda a day — raised the risk of an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation by 20% when compared to people who drank none, a new study found.

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN

Why High Blood Pressure Matters to Your Health

Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure -- but only a quarter of those with the condition have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Liz Szabo, New York Times

Cardiovascular issues play large role in Black maternal mortality

The development of cardiovascular issues is one of the reasons why Black women are three times more likely to die than white women during pregnancy.

Grace Hayba, WRAL health reporter

Gait speed is one of your vital signs, so make sure yours is OK

The exaggerated strut of a runway model is a far cry from how regular folks walk. Yet everyone moves uniquely, and your gait can indicate a lot about your overall constitution.

Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN

Doctors say you can die from a broken heart

The condition "broken heart syndrome" may sound made up but it is a very real condition that regularly sends patients to the hospital. Dr. Christopher Kelly, a cardiologist at UNC Rex, said broken heart syndrome can sometimes be bad enough to require admittance to the ICU. In some cases, it can even lead to death.

Durham to expand HEART program for mental health crises

Durham's HEART program, which stands for Holistic, Empathetic, Assistance, Response Team, is set to undergo a significant expansion starting Monday. The program currently serves only a third of the city and will be expanded to cover the entire city.

Man saddled with medical debt after near-death experiences, until 5 On Your Side stepped in

Jerry Elliot looked death in the face twice. Soon after, the Durham man began to struggle with incorrect medical bills.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

WRAL 5 On Your Side helps solve medical bill mixup

An incredible coincidence saved a man's life, until a medical bill nightmare began. Watch 5 on Your Side get big results, on WRAL-TV at 6.

Cholesterol-lowering drug can reduce risk for heart complications

New research shows taking a cholesterol lowering drug before heart problems arise can significantly reduce risk for heart-related complications and death in high-risk individuals.

New method of heart transplantation could increase supply of donor hearts, new study shows

Duke's heart center played a significant role in the advance, which is likely to become the new standard of care.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist

17-year-old NC cheerleader who suffered cardiac arrest says her mom is her hero

The 17-year-old cheerleader who suffered cardiac arrest during a recent competition in Raleigh is back home in Harnett County after several scary days in the hospital.

17-year-old cheerleader goes into cardiac arrest during warm-up at Raleigh high school

A 17-year-old Harnett County cheerleader is recovering at Duke Medical Center after going into cardiac arrest during a recent competition.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

'My mom could have been taken away from me': Durham woman recalls saving her mom's life during prom night in 2013

Kayla Kinard saved her mom's life in 2013 while getting ready to attend her senior prom.

Adam Owens, WRAL anchor/reporter

Recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack or cardiac arrest on National Wear Red Day

February 3 is National Wear Red Day, a reminder that women are just as much at risk of heart disease as men. WRAL's Megan Glova reports it's important for everyone to know what to do when someone is having a heart crisis.

Newborn saved with first-of-its-kind heart transplant at Duke

In April, a team performed what is believed to be the world's first partial heart transplant on Owen Monroe, who was born with truncus arteriosus, a condition where the two main heart arteries were fused together.

Sydney Franklin, WRAL multiplatform producer

Treating a baby's heart condition in the womb

When Kimberly Mays was about 20 weeks pregnant with her second child, she began to feel faint and overheated. An ultrasound revealed that Mays' baby had a very rapid heart rate.

UNC Health Talk

NC baby boy happy, healthy after potentially historic procedures at Duke Hospital

An infant's journey at Duke University Hospital has brought on a potential breakthrough moment in how future surgeons could deal with heart problems in babies.

Ryan Bisesi, WRAL multiplatform producer

Duke surgeon talks groundbreaking procedures performed on baby

A pediatric cardiac surgeon at Duke University Hospital discusses a groundbreaking combination of a heart transplant and an allogeneic processed thymus tissue implantation performed last summer.

12-year-old Roanoke Rapids boy saves 5 lives by donating organs after dying from heart condition

12-year-old Jojo Fahey collapsed on the playground at school in Roanoke Rapids this month, going into cardiac arrest from a lifelong heart condition. He died on Thursday.

Wilson man embarks on purpose to help others

Brad Worrell wants to help others who have had mental and physical health struggles in life. He's lived with a rare heart disease since birth.

Through baseball and love, Wilson man's heart in the right place

Brad Worrell's heart is in the right place these days, whether it's in Bailey, Wilson or the spectacle of Fenway Park.

Ryan Bisesi, WRAL multiplatform producer

COVID-19 diagnosis leads Duke nurse to advance heart health awareness

The 18-year nurse veteran and mother of two daughters continue to work in the ICU. But now, she said her heart is set on raising money for her Triangle Heart Walk team.

NC father makes history as first person with artificial heart implant

Surgeons implanted a new-generation artificial heart into a patient. Matthew Moore, 39, was the first patient to enroll -- and go through with the procedure. Duke is one of three transplant centers in the US selected to take part in this FDA study.

Duke surgeons, patient's wife discuss transplant of first next-gen artificial heart

Members of the surgical team, the patient's wife and leadership of Duke's heart transplant and cardiology programs answer questions after the first transplant of a next generation artificial heart in the US.