Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

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.

Pain that starts at the base of the skull and radiates to one side of the forehead may be a cervicogenic headache. These headaches are sometimes mistaken for tension headaches or migraines. Cervicogenic headaches originate from a problem around the top of the spine. Possible causes include a herniated disk, arthritis, or an injury, such as whiplash. Treatments include pain relievers, physical therapy, and injections of steroids or anesthetics.

Gummies and other products that contain non-intoxicating cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), may improve sleep. While CBD is generally safe and doesn’t have next-day effects, it can interact with certain medications. Whenever possible, people who use CBD products should check the certificate of analysis (which summarizes independent tests of potency and contaminant levels) before buying these products. They should also check with their doctors about potential interactions between CBD and any prescriptions or supplements they take.

Population-based studies have linked regular sauna use with better heart health. The high temperature inside a sauna—which usually ranges from about 150° F to 195° F—causes blood vessels to dilate, raising the heart rate and increasing blood flow throughout the body. However, randomized trials haven’t found much evidence that saunas can improve measures of cardiovascular health. People with low blood pressure, valve disease, and heart failure should be cautious while using saunas.

A 2025 study found that in brain MRI scans, people with any evidence of gum disease were more likely to have higher amounts of a marker for disease in the brain’s small blood vessels, compared to people without gum disease.

According to a 2025 study, women who walked at least 4,000 steps per day once or twice a week had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and early death compared with women who did not reach this threshold.

Overweight or obese men diagnosed with prediabetes who received counseling on healthy eating habits and online support significantly improved their diets and reduced their risk for developing diabetes, according to a 2025 study.

Research suggests that people can exercise in the evening without it affecting their sleep if they avoid physical activity several hours before bedtime.

A form of strength training called time under tension (TUT)focuses on the amount of time muscles are activated during an exercise rather than the number of repetitions or amount of weight. TUT forces people to use a slower tempo and controlled movements when exercising, which keeps the muscles engaged longer, helping to stimulate muscle growth. TUT can be applied to practically any type of strength training exercise, including free weights and gym machines.