A 2025 analysis of randomized trials found that cardiac rehab—a personalized program of supervised exercise and healthy lifestyle coaching—can also help people with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can cause stroke and heart failure.
The trend toward eating plant-rich diets has led to a number of new dietary terms and buzzwords. Examples include the terms “plant-forward,” which describes the shift toward the gradual incorporation of more plant foods into the diet; “plant-based protein,” used for foods that contain a high amount of protein, even some processed foods; and “sustainable eating,” whichrefers to the big picture of food choices and how they can help sustain the environment, the planet, and health.
Hospital discharge instructions about medications can be complicated and confusing. Having a family member or friend along as a second set of ears during the discharge meeting can be helpful.
The association between alcohol and cardiovascular disease is both complex and controversial. There’s no evidence of an increased risk for the most common forms of heart disease in people who stay within the limits for moderate drinking. Whether light to moderate drinking can lower a person’s risk is impossible to answer with currently available evidence. But there is clear, consistent evidence that heavier drinking—an average of three or more drinks per day—is linked to worse outcomes for every type of heart disease.
A PSA test can detect early-stage prostate cancer while it’s still asymptomatic, but some men are diagnosed with prostate cancer only after symptoms appear. The editor in chief of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases answers questions about how doctors distinguish prostate cancer from other noncancerous problems affecting the prostate.
As we age, maintaining mental sharpness is just as important as physical health. This report will teach you the elements of cognitive fitness, different types of cognitive abilities, how they change over time, and when to be concerned. You’ll also learn practical strategies to manage everyday slip-ups and protect against cognitive decline, helping you stay mentally strong and independent.
We all experience stress in our lives. While occasional stress is part of life, chronic stress can harm the heart, increase disease risk, and even accelerate aging. Alongside clear explanations of how stress affects the body, this report highlights practical tools such as relaxation techniques and resilience-building to help you take control of stress and protect your well-being.
Magnesium quietly powers some of the body’s most essential functions from keeping the heart steady to supporting muscles and mood. How much is enough? And when might supplements matter? Dr. Rob Shmerling answers these questions in this video edition of "Ask the Doc."
Lack of sufficient sleep tends to disrupt hormones that control hunger and appetite, causing you to eat hundreds of extra calories per day — in particular, quickly digested carbohydrates. What’s more, the resulting daytime fatigue often discourages you from exercising.