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A 2023 study of 1.5 million people found that those who had uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes prior to getting COVID-19 had increased risks for COVID complications (such as hospitalization or being on a ventilator), compared with people whose high blood pressure or diabetes was well controlled.
For the first time, consumers can order a blood screening for Alzheimer’s disease. The screening looks for two types of brain proteins, one of which is associated with Alzheimer’s. Doctors have concerns about the screening: it’s not FDA-approved, there’s little information about its accuracy, and it can take a few days to speak with a doctor about the results. By comparison, an official Alzheimer’s diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation of someone’s current and past health problems, physical and neurological exams, family history, blood tests to rule out hidden conditions that might be causing memory problems (such as vitamin B12 deficiency), and imaging tests.
It takes more than a weekly session with a personal trainer to maximize exercise benefits. Personal trainers recommend that people exercise in between training sessions; do strength training at the beginning of a workout; alternate the muscle groups that get a workout; challenge each muscle group with a variety of exercises; stretch regularly; eat a healthy diet to fuel the body; and exercise purposefully, with a strategic approach that moves them closer to their exercise goals.
In contrast to previous studies, several new investigations have been unable to find clear evidence that people who take a drink a day are less likely to develop heart disease than people who don’t drink. The new evidence doesn’t negate past studies; it simply must be weighed against past studies. And while findings suggest that moderate drinking may offer some heart benefits, drinking is not recommended for the purpose of achieving those unproven benefits. Excessive drinking—averaging three or more drinks a day—causes multiple health problems, including heart problems.
In a 2023 Harvard Medical School study of more than 216,000 people (followed for up to 36 years), those who reported eating the most red meat had a 62% higher risk of developing diabetes, compared with those who reported eating the least red meat each week.
They're the most effective drugs for weight loss to date. But they're expensive, scarce, and not right for everyone. Learn more about the latest batch of anti-obesity drugs.
A 2023 study of lab animals suggests that the population of microbes in an individual’s gut may influence the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that healthy lab rats developed signs characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease when they were injected with gut microbe samples from people with Alzheimer’s. Rats that received samples from the most severely affected Alzheimer’s patients developed the greatest brain abnormalities and memory problems. Rats did not develop these problems when they were injected with samples from people who had no signs of the disease.
Some couples find that sleeping in separate rooms helps them get a better night’s sleep. But before trying it, it’s important to consider compromises to stay in the same room. For example, if one person snores, a doctor visit might be in order, and the other person might try wearing earplugs to better tolerate the sound. If separate bedrooms are the answer, it helps to make both sleeping spaces cozy, schedule time for intimacy, and regularly assess whether the arrangement is working for both partners.
Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Eugene Braunwald, known as “the father of modern cardiology,” identified five promising future trends in cardiology. They include (1) using polygenic risk scores in newborns for early prevention of heart disease; (2) the emergence of a battery of drugs to treat inflammation; (3) improvements in cardiac cell therapy for repairing damaged hearts; (4) the development of smaller, more powerful, and less expensive left ventricular assist devices; and (5) transplanting genetically modified pig hearts into humans.
For preventing repeat heart attacks, coated aspirin is just as effective as regular aspirin, but it does not appear to provide extra protection against bleeding risk.