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Breaking up long periods of sitting with a short walk every half-hour may have health benefits. Walking even as little as one minute per hour may lower blood pressure, but a notable drop in blood sugar may require a five-minute walk every 30 minutes.
A coronary artery calcium scan (often called a calcium scan) uses a special type of CT scan to look for calcium deposits in the lining of the heart’s arteries. The results can help people decide whether to start taking a statin.
Running can boost cardiovascular fitness faster and better than walking, but this high-impact activity comes with a higher risk of injuries than walking. Beginning runners should start slow and alternate walking and running at first. Doing strength training and increasing mileage gradually may help. People who sustain minor injuries when running should rest for a few days and consult a physical therapist if the injury doesn’t get better.
A gene editing technique that permanently shuts down a cholesterol-raising protein called PCSK9 is being tested in heart attack survivors with an inherited form of high cholesterol. The one-time infusion contains tiny particles that contain the editing tools, which travel through the blood to the liver and changes the cells that produce the protein. If early data show the treatment to be safe and effective, the therapy potentially could be used in people who have “garden variety” high cholesterol.
In addition to raising blood pressure, too much salt in the diet can have other detrimental effects on the heart, including damaging the inner layer of blood vessels and altering the body’s hormonal and inflammatory response. Following the DASH diet, choosing lower-sodium versions of commonly eaten foods, and skipping the saltshaker can help people eat less salt. To boost flavor without salt, options include salt-free herb and spice blends, lemon or lime zest or juice, and flavored vinegars.
Updated national guidelines on hormone therapy after menopause recommend that women use it only for relief of menopause-related symptoms, not to prevent chronic conditions that become likelier with age.
Melasma, which causes dark patches on the face, is far more prevalent in women than in men. Dubbed the “mask of pregnancy,” melasma triggers include not only pregnancy but also hormonal fluctuations, genetics, and sun exposure. People with darker skin are more prone to it. Melasma is typically treated with topical products that lighten the skin or slough off cells. Laser treatments and chemical peels, however, may worsen melasma. Sunscreen use can help prevent flares.
A 2022 study suggests that regular exercise may improve fatigue and physical and emotional well-being among women undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer.
People who have had shingles have a 30% increased risk for heart disease and stroke, says a new Harvard study. Learn more about the risk.
Floaters are shadows that develop in people’s field of vision and become more noticeable in certain light. Aging, cataract surgery, and being nearsighted make floaters more likely.