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A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or ministroke, is a serious warning sign for future stroke, especially in the first 48 hours. Medications plus lifestyle changes—healthy eating, regular exercise, and blood pressure control—can significantly lower that risk.
The editorial team at Harvard Health Publishing welcomes 2026 by thanking readers for their support and highlighting its efforts to expand the voices of the Harvard Medical School faculty who contribute each month.
A pescatarian diet pairs plant-based eating with fish and shellfish, offering key nutrients and heart- and brain-protective omega-3s. Choosing smaller, sustainably caught seafood helps limit environmental impact and mercury exposure.
Joyspan is a term coined by gerontologist Kerry Burnright that refers to the satisfaction and well-being people experience as they move through life. Joy is associated with health benefits such as better immune function, resilience, and longevity.
People’s voices can change due to age-related vocal cord changes. Women’s voices can also get deeper due to a decline in estrogen. Other factors that contribute to voice changes in older adults include weakening muscles in the lungs, which dampen the ability to speak loudly.
Early signs of cervical cancer can include blood-tinged vaginal discharge, heavier discharge than usual, spotting or bleeding between periods, menstrual flow that’s heavier or lasts longer than usual, bleeding or pain during or after intercourse, and vaginal bleeding after menopause.
A 2025 study suggested that women are less likely to develop coronary artery disease even when engaging in less moderate-to-vigorous exercise than men.
A 2025 scientific statement from the American Heart Association indicated that women with cardiovascular disease are far less likely than men with the condition to take part in cardiac rehabilitation programs, despite the proven benefits.
A 2025 study suggests that smokers who quit in middle age may, within a decade, reduce their risk of developing dementia to that of people who never smoked.
Obesity is thought to increase the risk of complications for people undergoing certain joint replacement surgeries. A 2025 study found that compared with people of a healthy weight, people with severe obesity (BMI of at least 40) were at no greater risk for serious complications following shoulder replacement surgery.