Cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack, though many people use the terms interchangeably. In fact, there is a vast difference between the two.

News 8 viewer

Whether they are chained in a pickup truck bed or left behind inside a parked car, pets can perish in minutes under the summer sun, but the law provides few options for enforcement.

Dogs get scared when storms happen and about 22,000 dogs end up in the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control Center every year. Each day, 40 are euthanized because they don't have enough space. But that's not why one family lost its pet.

untamedscience.com

As a twister started to form over Flower Mound Wednesday night, a couple with a camera was driving through it and caught it all on videotape.

COURTNEY PERRY/Dallas Morning News

Sprayground on Umphress Road in Pleasant Grove.

Tarrant, Dallas, Denton and Collin Counties are starting a proactive plan called "No Crypto" to keep you and your family safe.

WFAA-TV

Yolanda Samuel had to wait 45 minutes to be seen at Baylor's ER.

The study finds that truly urgent cases can wait more than half an hour, when they should be seen in the first minute.

At birth, Jessica Kath was diagnosed with a rare disease called Diamond-Blackfan Anemia. At 6, she was granted a Make-a-Wish trip to go to Disney World and her quest to keep going back hasn't stopped.

WFAA-TV

Police still trying to explain a shooting that left a 9 year-old Fort Worth girl with a bullet wound in her leg.

WFAA-TV

Building up to even a small touch takes a lot of practice and respect.

As captive creatures in America's zoos grow older, the need for regular and preventative healthcare, has become critically important.

WFAA-TV

After nearly 30 percent of their students called in sick, Range Elementary in Mesquite closed its doors.

WFAA-TV

The Dallas store that sells Chung Shi footwear says the shoes combine new technology with the ancient wisdom of rice paddy workers returning to their huts.

Texas A&M

Formosan termites have been spotted in College Station.

Exterminators in recent weeks have seen a sharp rise in calls. The weather, they say, has been perfect for these pests.

WFAA-TV

There's a new warrior in the battle against wrinkles — a direct competitor to Botox's billion-dollar business.

WFAA-TV

New mom Ashley Thomas was all smiles on Tuesday, as she left the Methodist Dallas neo-natal ICU for the last time, with four healthy girls.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or reflux causes misery to millions. Many people have turned away from pharmaceuticals to natural, cheaper alternative to treat their serious acid indigestion.

WFAA-TV

A weight loss plan once labeled "dangerous" and "ineffective" is making a comeback.

File 2005 / WFAA-TV

It doesn't take much to start an outbreak: One cough, a single sneeze or an innocent nose-rubbing can be enough to transmit disease, as News 8 proved in a simple experiment.

WFAA-TV

As swine flu grows, so does the bill to taxpayers.

The increase in testing for swine flu is creating new concern for health officials: the cost.

WFAA-TV

The use of Botox for cosmetic enhancement has apparently received a lift from the sagging economy.

A 10-year-old boy with swine flu traveled to the Dallas area during spring break.

WFAA-TV

A recently FDA-approved product called OraVerse allows blood flow to return to the gums, lips and cheeks, reversing the anesthetic effect.

Anyone who has endured the North Texas rush-hour gridlock, has likely griped about the lack of public transportation. But some residents of an affluent suburb are now railing against a regional train system.

If you've dreamed of throwing away your contacts or glasses but don't like the downsides of Lasik, there is an alternative - one that doesn't use a blade, laser, or need stitches.

As many companies go south in this economy, one business is booming. The commodity? Love.

WFAA-TV

Audra Lilly is getting allergy shots after suffering through unusually serious spring symptoms.

WFAA-TV

In April, the number of jobless Americans jumped to 13 million. Texans make up nearly 800,000 of that number.

School districts haven't ended this year but they are already anticipating a big snafu that might send hundreds of students home on the first day next year.

WFAA-TV

He's got the boots, the bark and the background to turn civilian recruits into bathing beauties.

WFAA-TV

An American Airlines plane is becoming the first commercial flight to fly into Iraq to distribute humanitarian aid. It's aid aimed at children.

WFAA-TV

Sherry Mosley says she believes that the zinc found in a popular denture adhesive is responsible for painful nerve damage.

Every North Texan was a potential guinea pig in the Resusitation Outcomes Consortium research project.

WFAA-TV

The Amon Carter Museum's Sharing the Past program gives patients cognitive problems a way to link to their past.

WFAA-TV

Still full of books, a backpack with a gaping hole has become a symbol of surviving what appeared to be the unsurvivable.

WFAA-TV

Ramonya Anderson wanted a strawberry popsicle while in labor.

A new study in the British Medical Journal finds allowing women to eat during labor doesn't make much difference.

WFAA-TV

A North Texas mother's battle has led to the recall of over 800,000 teddy bears.

It's a fun, fast fusion of lights and rock-n-roll sound; but lately, bloggers have begun buzzing about a potentially grave side of the game Guitar Hero.

WFAA-TV

Brittany Willians was trying to rescue her brother's lunchbox from a drainage ditch when she was nearly swept away. "It felt like being stuck in ice," she said.

Martin was arrested for an alleged domestic assault in July and later his Live 105 FM drive show was yanked from air.

A few weeks ago, Terry Woldt walked into a pharmacy with a presciption his insurance no longer covers.

The FDA has approved do-it-yourself laser treatments that promise permanent hair removal.

The aortic valve replacement surgery that the first lady underwent is called "routine" by some. However, the open heart operation is still a very serious procedure.

WFAA-TV

Bird lovers are incensed after finding that chain saws and brush cutters have damaged a decades-old campus rookery.

Instead of the flu season winding down in North Texas, it might be growing. The strain hitting now is one that was not expected.

It was a big day Tuesday for thousands of North Texans seeking jobs. But what kind of jobs are really out there?

WFAA-TV

There are surprising reasons why it may be spreading.

Though exact numbers are not kept, doctors are saying this winter, their offices are being overrun by kids and parents suffering form strep throat.

Courtesy Angie Adcox

Angie Adcox, 33, went to Costa Rica in September — not for the lush scenery, but for life-altering shots of stem cells.

WFAA-TV

Walking in heels was impossible for Hazel Alterman a few weeks ago.

WFAA-TV

A game of catch for 12-year-old Ali Tays is a major league accomplishment. For two years, she spent most of her time on the couch.

WFAA-TV

Six young adults with the chromosonal disorder are working out to stay healthy.

WFAA-TV

Both campuses will reopen Monday.

Flu, and other flu-like sickness, has reached epidemic levels at St. Thomas Aquinas School in Dallas, according to reports.

Brenda Willis used to be a size 26.

By adding 500 steps a day, one North Texas woman lost more than 100 pounds.

Doctors say Tamiflu isn't effective against this year's most prevalent flu strain but that the alternative is in short supply.

WFAA-TV

Liposuction is the number one cosmetic surgery procedure in the country. Nearly half a million liposuctions were performed last year.

WFAA-TV

No longer will drivers have to squint while driving through Dallas.

WFAA-TV

Frustrated with the short-lived benefits of Botox, Tiffany Willey is trying a new procedure — this time, with no tox.

The American Red Cross says its blood supply levels are nearly empty.

WFAA-TV

In the past, patients diagnosed with chronic or life-threatening disease were told to conserve energy, rest and reduce physical activity. Now, science shows people should do the exact opposite.

WFAA-TV

Laughter yoga instructor Eric Post encourages his class.

Laughter has long lifted spirits, but there is growing evidence that a giggle has true medicinal merit.

Inspections at Arlington restaurants won't happen for a few weeks since the city recently handed out 19 pink slips to city employees.

Weeks after The Russ Martin Show was yanked from the air, the radio host is speaking publicly for the first time.

WFAA-TV

Claudia Joy.

Weight loss surgery has given better health to thousands of people. Now, it's also giving hope to women struggling with infertility.

Dallas Morning News.

Wal-Mart says customers can return expired formula for a refund or exchange.

News 8 has learned that some infant formula sold at Texas Wal-Mart stores has caught the attention of the state attorney general's office.

Erin Lahr

The sudden death of a White Rock Marathon runner may remain a mystery.

WFAA-TV

Seven-year-old Cody McCasland of Colleyville is eager to train for a race he will likely lose this weekend.

WFAA-TV

GM workers say one in 10 American jobs depend on the auto industry.

It's not just leaders lobbying for a loan to save the car industry, thousands at GM's Arlington plant are making their voices heard.

Light installer Tory Smith says he's seen residential orders drop about 20 percent.

A deadly tree fungus that decimated groves in the northwestern part of the country has spread to North Texas.

WFAA-TV

For the first time, retailers are letting consumers zero-in on the best post-Thanksgiving bargains by posting prices on their Web sites.

The government may be paying millions for risky medicines that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

WFAA-TV

Radiant barriers are designed to shield a home from the rays of the sun.

WFAA-TV

There's no tar or tobacco in the Smoking Everywhere device, but there is real nicotine, and regulators want to know if it requires regulation.

Ron Springs, the man fans watched on the football field as a Dallas Cowboys in the '80s and who triumphed over diabetes, is in a coma. He has been that way for more than 12 months.

WFAA-TV

Carlene King is relieved the bill has been reduced.

Imagine fighting for your life only to get stuck with a $46,000 medical bill. One woman fought back, getting it down to $8,000.

WFAA-TV

News 8 has learned that the government has launched an investigation into the flameless, tobacco-free gizmos.

WFAA-TV

As public smoking bans have spread, so has the demand to stop smoking. For some, a new product might be the answer.

WFAA-TV

Brendan was also born with Treacher Collins Syndrome.

Two-year-old Samantha Collins was born without ears, a rare genetic birth defect that is now shared by her new baby brother.

Free blood pressure monitors in many grocery stores and pharmacies may be inaccurate.

You can literally slash your prescription drug costs in half by using a little-known technique.

Supporters for a new Parkland Hospital were hoping for a landslide, and so far they've got it.

Dallas Morning News

Testing for HIV in Dallas.

Experts say older Americans are unexpectedly at risk for the virus that causes AIDS.

WFAA-TV

Jeff Schmidt's office is filled with awards — none better than the prize of slipping on an old shirt.

WFAA-TV

Michael Ybarra's dream was to have a proper funeral.

The dying wish of a North Texas teen in foster care his whole life came true, thanks to News 8 viewers. From the hearse - a silver coffin adorned with Dallas Cowboys stars - and a graveside gathering with flowers and singing and doves, a funeral might seem a strange wish for a teenager. But this is what Michael Ybarra wanted more than anything.

WFAA-TV

SheKayla Love had a double mastectomy even though there is no sign of cancer.

You've heard the saying: "Risk equals reward." There is a growing number of women willing to take one of the most frightening risks of all. The sole reward is peace of mind.

In the midst of troubled economic times, Fort Worth is trying to revive its most destitute area. City leaders say Fort Worth's east side has too long been neglected.

WFAA-TV

Corn and water are left for the captured pigeons.

Cruelty to animals? A waste of time and money? A project to get rid of some pesky birds beneath bridges is being met with serious questions.

WFAA-TV

Sara Lester has endured hot flashes for 15 years.

"You feel clammy, like right now," said Sara Lester, who has endured hot flashes for 15 years. Sick of suffering, she slipped into a skin-tight, scuba-type suit for an unusual experiment at Presbyterian Hospital.

WFAA-TV

Joe and Dawn Wear got different lap band procedures.

Joe and Dawn Wear both wear smaller sizes these days. Both got the lap band procedure, but in totally different ways. Dawn got a traditional laparoscopic lap band - with five incisions on her belly. Joe got his with a small cut.

WFAA-TV

Michael Goad is testing the new allergy treatment.

Despite an increase in the number of allergy sufferers, there have been no new treatments in years. But a possible breakthrough treatment is now being studied that has even allergists excited.

WFAA-TV

A check of city records proves sprayparks are inspected sporadically at best.

More than 1,000 cases of the parasite cryptosporidium have been confirmed in counties across North Texas. Only a handful of those were people who swam in Burger's Lake, the source of this summer's outbreak. Health authorities now say News 8 reports shed light on a dangerous oversight in health codes, one that could now forever change your family's time in the water.

WFAA-TV

A surveillance system installed on the Hummer caught the crime.

The crime surprised a community. An upstanding Southlake senior citizen was captured on surveillance vandalizing an SUV. The owner of that Hummer has spoken publicly for the first time.

WFAA-TV

Ganzy McCorvey lost 100 pounds at Wellspring Academy in California.

Her parents' divorce, after-school activities and the easy availability of fast food all contributed to 17-year-old Ganzy McCorvey's weight gain. So her mother made a drastic and expensive decision.

WFAA-TV

This implant can help stem early puberty.

Over the last few decades, the childhood of American girls has shortened significantly. Some studies indicate girls are maturing physically two years earlier. Now there is a new procedure that can help thwart early puberty.

Surveillance tape

The vandal used a key to deface this Hummer in Southlake.

Tips keep pouring into Southlake police after releasing the now-infamous video of a gray-haired man vandalizing a Hummer. There have been no arrests yet, but there is legitimate speculation that this could be a case of suburban eco-terrorism against a certain gas-guzzling SUV.

WFAA-TV

Michael White is an autistic savant with numbers.

A North Texan's dream of attending college this year has been dashed by the very numbers he knows best. Is it a case of discrimination — or being disruptive? You decide after hearing Michael White's story.

Think about this - one in 20 Americans now suffers from clinical depression. Some call it a health care crisis ignored by mainstream medical experts. Limited resources to treat depression is why Springwood Hospital in Bedford recently started a depression program tailored for women.

It's a modern day gold rush but not for gold. Here in North Texas the push is on for natural gas. Many people trying to cash in on that buried money in Tarrant County are finding out they don't own it at all.

AP

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, holds her infant son, Trig, as she stands on stage with her husband, Todd.

Much of the buzz today is on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's speech. In it - she introduced us to her kids - including newborn Trig, a child with Down Syndrome.

WFAA-TV

The ImPACT test is used by some of the best teams in professional football, baseball, and hockey.

As high school football kicks off tonight, more than winning is on the minds of parents and players. On the playing field, a head injury can happen fast. Players often try to shake off the pain or dizziness. This season, coaches at Saginaw High, will know for sure if athletes are playing with a clear head.

You buy the house but you may be making a costly mistake by not looking below the surface. Mineral rights that you think you own could already be long gone.

WFAA-TV

Belts with holes are a violation of the dress code.

Dress code violations at Seagoville High School caused serious problems today.

WFAA-TV

"We just hope an ambulance can get here quick," said Telico volunteer fireman Charles Walker.

Some Ellis County residents say shrinking their rural ambulance service to just two vehicles is a dangerous decision.

Southwest of Fort Worth this summer, children with special medical needs gather for weeklong camps.

Many mothers of soldiers serving in Iraq or Afghanistan live with the fear that each day might be their child's last. That is actually the same feeling one North Texas soldier has had about his mother ever since he learned she is battling cancer at home.

We first heard about cryptosporidium after an outbreak at Fort Worth's Burger's Lake, then spray parks, public pools and water parks across North Texas. Today, we're learning for the first time about crypto's creep into private pools.

For cancer survivors, five years is the magic number, when doctors have long declared them "cured". But a major new study blows that theory out of the water, finding 10 to 15, even more, is not long enough for a breast cancer survivor.

Two months ago, Jessie Hall had half her brain removed in a risky surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

One effort to cut costs in Dallas has resulted in a mountain of trash, which has some concerned about a possible growing fire hazard.

A sweltering day usually brings a trip to the water park for the Rileys. Today, they're stuck inside with memories of what happened after their last Hawaiian Falls adventure.

WFAA-TV

The television had been on top of a 4-foot tall dresser and had somehow fallen and on top of the child.

A little boy has been hospitalized in Fort Worth after a household accident that serves as a reminder to all parents. A television fell from a dresser and landed on the 2-year-old's head, police said. He is at Cook Children's Hospital in a critical condition at present. Police said the head injury is life-threatening.

WFAA-TV

In the hot weather, Rylie Mae and Spencer Dittrich take a run in the living room using the Wii.

The Wii Fit video game is marketed to get families exercising together. It's one of the hottest products ever in the video game world. Now, there is growing skepticism about the real value of virtual fitness video games, including the popular Wii Fit system.

WFAA-TV

Staff fear they won't see their next pay check.

Outside a Fort Worth Bennigan's, former employees gathered in anger and anxiety yesterday. Most work for near minimum wage or tips. Employees say they found themselves jobless by mass text-message.

The heat can be dangerous, even deadly for some people. Depending on your own health, a few minutes in heat like today, can quickly turn into a medical crisis.

Before you hit the links this weekend, what if you could improve your golf game without buying expensive new clubs? Tiger Woods is doing it - should you? By some estimates, nearly 80 percent of golfers have some sort of injury. 'Back to Golf' promises to get even weekend warriors back in the game or better.

Courtesy

Thad (far left) and Leah Limer (far right) with their son Andrew, who died from Niemann-Pick Type C at nine.

While there have been less than a dozen known cases in the North Texas area, one Arlington family has been afflicted twice by a disease that was at first misdiagnosed as autism.

WFAA-TV

Ashley Barrett-Carter.

Her dream of joining the U.S. Army was the motivation one North Texas woman needed to shed 110 pounds. Ashley Barrett-Carter dropped from a size 22 to a size seven after her dreams were put on hold by a few simple words. Recruiters told Barrett-Carter she didn't meet the physical requirements and advised her to lose some weight and come back.