Harvard Health Content API

During a diverticulitis flare-up, it’s important to stay nourished and hydrated. Start with clear liquids, then progress to low-fiber soft foods before gradually reintroducing high-fiber foods. For long-term prevention, focus on a high-fiber diet and regular exercise.

Diagnosing hypothyroidism can be tricky because typical symptoms (such as fatigue and trouble losing weight) have many other possible causes. Some people treated for hypothyroidism may be able to safely stop treatment with close medical monitoring.

Using an AI algorithm on a coronary computed tomography angiogram can quantify the type and amount of plaque in the heart’s arteries. But whether that information can help prevent more heart attacks remains to be seen.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare heart condition that causes the walls of the heart to become thick, stiff, and unable to pump normally. Three FDA-approved medications for the most common form, ATTR-CM, slow disease progression and extend life.

Foods that contain mainly saturated fat, such as beef tallow and butter, are less heart-healthy than those that contain mainly unsaturated fats, including olive oil and seed oils such as canola oil and soybean oil.

Exercising more without eating less is often unsuccessful for people trying to lose weight. Despite this, exercise can still improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

A 2026 review found conflicting evidence regarding the links between cannabis and heart-related problems, including heart attacks, stroke, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. The most consistent association was between cannabis use and heart rhythm problems.

People who have a low coronary artery calcium score (between 1 and 99) have signs of early heart disease. Current guidelines recommend taking a statin, with a goal of lowering LDL cholesterol by at least 30%.

A small, short-term 2026 study suggests that people who schedule their exercise to align with their chronotype—the body’s natural sleep and wake cycle—may lower their heart risk factors more than those who exercise at times that don’t align with their chronotype.