Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Pharmacogenomic tests can reveal how your body may respond and react to different medications, including some that help lower cholesterol or prevent blood clots. People who have taken direct-to-consumer genetic tests may have information about how they metabolize clopidogrel (Plavix) or simvastatin (Zocor). But so far, there’s no evidence that the results offer any benefit for the average person who has or is at risk for heart disease.

Eating tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and papaya can be a good way to satisfy a craving for something sweet, for either a snack or an after-dinner treat.

Eating a serving of nuts at least twice a week is linked to a lower risk of dying of cardiovascular disease. Improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels seen among nut eaters may account for part of this benefit.

A difference in the blood pressure readings from the left and right arms may herald a higher risk of heart disease. People should get readings from both arms at least once.

Smartphone apps and trackers that monitor physical activity may help people increase their activity levels. Apps and devices that include personalization features and text messaging appear to be most effective.

Spring is prime time for seasonal pollen allergies, and older adults shouldn’t be surprised if they develop new allergy symptoms.  Getting an allergy test to identify specific allergens and using common over-the-counter remedies can often manage symptoms. If these are ineffective, allergy shots may help. People can further protect themselves by avoiding the outdoors when the pollen count is high.

While some guidelines suggest stopping prostate cancer screening after age 70, the decision to continue depends on a man’s general health and life expectancy. Before a man decides to continue with PSA testing, he should consider what he would do with an abnormal result. While getting a biopsy provides the most crucial information, other non-invasive tests can help with decision making. Most prostate cancers diagnosed by screening are low-grade. So, men have a choice to monitor the cancer rather than proceed to immediate treatment.

Close to a million stents to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries are implanted each year, and as people age the odds of being added to the list increases. A stent can save a person’s life during a heart attack, but also may be needed if someone has significant plaque blockage. Knowing what to do before and after the procedure can help with recovery and support future heart health.

For decades, high intake of fat was thought to cause weight gain, heart disease, and maybe even cancer. The solution? Go low-fat, which often meant consuming more carbs and more sugar. But nutritionists now suggest people actually need adequate amounts of “good” unsaturated fat, and less “bad” saturated fat, for optimal health. Following popular heart-healthy diets, like the Mediterranean and MIND diets, and making simple dietary changes can help people get adequate amounts of good fats.

Practicing mindfulness teaches people to be aware of the present moment and accept a situation without judgment. This helps a person manage episodes of pain by shifting thinking away from negativity and recognizing pain for what it is—something that you can help ease. This change in mindset also interrupts the brain’s process of painful feelings and can induce a relaxation response to release endorphins, the feel-good hormone, and help relieve discomfort.