New Fire 1 system aims to improve congestive heart failure treatment

Fire 1 is a new system that aims to improve treatment for patients with congestive heart failure. In this HealthBeat, Rebecca Thomas speaks with a doctor testing the tech and one of the first patients to try it out.

Less sleep, higher risk for heart disease in women: study

A new study on heart disease in women has found that the less hours of sleep you get, the higher the risk of heart disease as you age. Rebecca Thomas has more in this HealthBeat.

Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos can be considered children

Frozen embryos created during fertility treatments can be considered children under Alabama state law, the state’s Supreme Court ruled. FOX 7 Austin's Rebecca Thomas spoke to a local doctor to discuss.

Heart disease is leading cause of death in men, women in Texas

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in Texas. Dr. Vivek Goswami, a cardiologist with Heart Hospital of Austin and Austin Heart, joined FOX 7 Austin's Rebecca Thomas to discuss.

Toby Keith death: Austin surgical oncologist speaks on stomach cancer

Earlier this week, country music star Toby Keith died after a battle with stomach cancer. An Austin surgical oncologist talked about the risks and symptoms in a Health Beat with Rebecca Thomas.

Texas arctic blast: How to determine frost bite, hypothermia

As Central Texas deals with sub-freezing temperatures through Wednesday, Jan. 17, people who are exposed to the elements are at risk for frost bite and hypothermia.

Study explores possible cause of morning sickness in expectant mothers

Researchers now believe they know why so many expectant mothers experience morning sickness during pregnancy. Reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Shahryar Kavoussi joins FOX 7 Austin's Rebecca Thomas in this HealthBeat.

Lung cancer survivor in Austin advocates for screening, detection

An Austin man went to the doctor complaining of one problem. But, a CAT scan revealed another bigger concern: lung cancer.

More people die from heart attacks over Christmas than any other time of year: report

According to the American Heart Association, more people die from heart attacks over Christmas than any other time of the year. FOX 7 Austin's Rebecca Thomas spoke with an Austin cardiologist to discuss.

Annual Austin Kidney Walk returns to northeast Austin

The annual Austin Kidney Walk takes place Sunday, Nov. 12. FOX 7's Rebecca Thomas spoke with the executive director of the National Kidney Foundation serving Texas about the programs they offer to parents and families.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Signs, symptoms, risk factors and prevention

According to the CDC, each year in the U.S., 240,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from it. FOX 7's Rebecca Thomas spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Moorehead from St. David's Medical Center to learn more.

Does salt increase risk of AFib?

A new study finds that people who don't add salt to their meals are 18 percent less likely to develop AFib. Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa with Heart Hospital of Austin and Austin Heart joined FOX 7's Rebecca Thomas to discuss.

New COVID-19 vaccines emerge as cases rise nationwide

Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now available as COVID-19 cases increase across the country. Dr. Kristin Mondy, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at UT Austin's Dell Medical School, joined FOX 7's Rebecca Thomas to talk about who should get a shot, and when.

Austin cardiologist speaks on extreme heat impact on heart health

Doctors say when temperatures soar into the triple digits, more stress is put on the heart, causing an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

More young people suffering from early onset hearing loss, expert says

According to research by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than a billion young adults could be at risk of hearing loss.

Austin STI testing demand spikes while funding falls: report

A recent report from the Kind Clinic in Austin found the demand for walk-in testing for STIs spiked this year, meanwhile, funding dropped during the same period. Christopher Hamilton, CEO of Texas Health Action, spoke with FOX 7's Rebecca Thomas about the impact and what can be done.

Bastrop man uses robotic device to relearn how to walk after stroke

Jim Carr had a stroke last fall that left him unable to walk. In this edition of the FOX 7 Healthbeat, we learn more about the new robotic gait training system that helped him relearn how to walk.

Georgetown OB-GYN donates kidney to her father

Dave Horton was born with a recessive gene that causes kidney disease. When it was determined he needed a kidney transplant, his daughter signed up to be a living donor, and matched.