Harvard Health Content API

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic pulses to repeatedly activate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Updated protocols hold the promise of rapid relief from major depression.

Physical activity improves physical and mental health, and walking is the simplest way to stay active. Walking for more than 10 minutes at a time may offer extra benefits, but all movement counts. For people over 60, 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day are optimal, regardless of walking speed.

Many common medications can affect oral health, causing issues like dry mouth, taste changes, gum swelling, mouth sores, or thrush. Patients should check side effects on medication labels, report persistent symptoms, review medications annually, and keep up with regular dental visits.

If total knee replacement is needed for both knees and symptoms in both are equally severe, bilateral knee replacement can be done, either in one surgery or in stages. Replacing both knees at once may be a good option for people under 75 with no major medical conditions and support at home.

Social media posts tend to exaggerate side effects (such as muscle aches and memory problems) associated with statins and may spread invalid information about these drugs. This misinformation is a major threat to public health, according to a 2025 article.

A 2025 analysis suggests that far fewer people are considered candidates for low-dose aspirin to prevent heart disease with the updated PREVENT risk calculator compared with the older risk calculator.

Reclining and lying down may be linked to worse cardiovascular health while short bouts of sitting or standing may reduce cardiovascular risk, according to a 2025 study.

Higher exposure to light at night between 12:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems including coronary artery disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, and heart failure.

Performed during an echocardiogram, a bubble study involves injecting a small amount of fluid filled with tiny bubbles into an arm vein. It can reveal the path of blood flow through the heart and provide clues about the cause of an unexpected stroke.