Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

Every year, hundreds of people in the United States die waiting for a heart transplant. Most are in their 50s and early 60s and have severe, debilitating heart failure. A new procedure known as donation after circulatory death may make up to 20% more donated hearts available. These transplants are made possible thanks to a machine referred to as a “heart in a box” that perfuses the heart with warm blood after it has been removed from the donor.

Chia seeds are the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acid and are also a good source of fiber. The small, black seeds don’t have much flavor, so they can be added to foods such as cereal or yogurt for a stealthy nutrient boost.

Coconut oil raises harmful LDL cholesterol (a well-known contributor to clogged arteries and heart disease) much more than other vegetable oils such as soybean, safflower, canola, and olive oils.

Many home blood pressure devices sold online by multinational companies are not carefully tested for accuracy. Inaccurate blood pressure readings could put people at risk for inappropriate treatment.

A yoga-based rehabilitation program may be a safe alternative to conventional cardiac rehabilitation.

Doctors say connecting with loved ones and friends via video calls may help people feel less lonely and isolated. Video calls are made using applications (“apps”) on a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. These apps enable users to reach people anywhere in the world. As of the spring of 2020, apps commonly used to make video calls included FaceTime, Google Duo, Snapchat, Zoom, Skype, and WhatsApp. Video calls can also be used to engage in book clubs, support groups, or exercise instruction.

The COVID-19 outbreak in the late winter and spring of 2020 had a big effect on the medical industry. Hospitals became like armed forces hospitals during wartime: doctors, nurses, therapists, laboratory technicians (and everyone helping them, from secretaries to janitors) cared for extremely sick patients—while putting their own health at risk. Many doctors and scientists who were busy studying other illnesses had to redirect their efforts to study COVID-19. And many people with illnesses other than COVID-19 chose to stay away from hospitals to avoid getting the virus.

Taking an antidepressant is not something to jump into in order to cope with a difficult time. The medications may take up to six weeks to start working, and it can be tricky to get the dose just right. In addition, antidepressants may have side effects such as nausea, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, or sleep problems. And it can be very difficult to wean off antidepressants. For all of those reasons, antidepressants are typically not prescribed unless someone has a moderate-to-severe case of depression.

There are many ways to learn something new while at home. Tools include smartphone apps, books, online classes, project kits, podcasts, and even YouTube videos. Learning something new brings invaluable health benefits, such as sharper thinking and maybe even better brain health. The reason behind better thinking skills that result from learning could be new brain cell connections, which may lead to more paths for information to get where it needs to go.

There are many ways to exercise when stuck indoors. Just stepping in place is a simple and effective aerobic workout: one should lift the knees high and raise and lower the arms to get to get the heart and lungs pumping harder. For a home strength training workout, one can lift household objects such as soup cans, or do body weight exercises such as standing planks and bridges. To stretch while at home, one can practice yoga or tai chi, or follow a list of stretches.