Utah

A Reason for Heart Patients to Stay Happy

A Reason for Heart Patients to Stay HappyAccording to researchers, depression in heart patients can in most probability lead to heart failure despite the usage of anti depressants.

"Our data suggest that depression is an important and emerging risk factor for heart failure among patients with coronary heart disease," Heidi May of Intermountain Medical Center in Utah, whose study appears in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, said in a statement.

Heart Failure Risk Increases with Depression

Heart Failure Risk Increases with DepressionU. S. researchers on Monday said that depression increases the risk of people with heart disease developing heart failure even if they take antidepressants.

Heidi May, an epidemiologist at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, and lead author of the study said, "Our data suggest that depression is an important and emerging risk factor for heart failure among patients with coronary heart disease."

Strained marriages affect health of women

Strained marriages affect health of womenRecent study revealed that strained marriage affects health of women more adversely as compared to men. Research team led by Nancy Henry of the University of Utah analyzed data collected from 276 couples who had been married for an average of 20 years in which men and women aged between 40 and 70 years.

Study subjects filled questionnaires having various question related to their martial life and relationship. Researchers also carried out medical screening that included blood tests and measurements of blood pressure and waist circumference.

Jeffs' lawyers appeal rape convictions

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 4  -- Lawyers for polygamy sect leader Warren Jeffs have appealed their client's convictions of being an accomplice to rape.

They are asking the Utah Supreme Court to grant Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints Church, a new trial and reverse his 2007 convictions, the (Salt Lake City) Deseret News reported Thursday.

Jeffs was convicted of presiding over a 2001 marriage ceremony in which a then 14-year-old girl, Elissa Wall, was wed to her 19-year-old cousin, Allen Steed, the newspaper reported.

Jeffs' lawyers say the court erred when it imposed two consecutive terms of five years to life in prison instead of concurrent sentences.

Utah sen. seeks Merry Christmas resolution

SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 4  -- A Utah state lawmaker says the Legislature will be presented with a resolution asking retailers not to exclude "Merry Christmas" from their holiday greetings.

State Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, said he decided to have the resolution drafted for presentation during the 2009 legislative session after hearing from several employees of a retail store that they were barred from saying "Merry Christmas" to customers, the Deseret Morning News reported Wednesday.

Buttars did not identify the retailer.

"We have a war on Christmas," Buttars said.

The senator referred to the United States as a Christian nation and said the majority of U. S. citizens celebrate Christmas.

Liquor blamed for fraternity pledge death

Liquor blamed for fraternity pledge deathLOGAN, Utah,  Nov. 27 -- Utah State University has suspended a fraternity and sorority after the death of a fraternity pledge of apparent alcohol poisoning.

Michael Starks, 18, a pledge at the Sigma Nu fraternity, died early Friday, The Salt Lake Tribune reports.  

His older brother, George,a coffee shop owner and publisher in Salt Lake City,  told the newspaper that Michael was "kidnapped" by a sorority, Chi Omega, and given large quantities of alcohol. George Starks said that was supposed to be a reward for his being an outstanding pledge.