Category: harvardhealth_news_UNDEFINED

U.S. guidelines define normal blood pressure as less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Studies have shown that the lower a person’s blood pressure, the greater the heart health benefits. However, the “best” blood pressure number for someone depends on several factors, such as the person’s health condition, lifestyle, family history, and personal goals. Depending on an individual’s situation, a higher-than-normal number may be adequate.

There are no health benefits to taking a daily calcium supplement in addition to the amount of calcium a person gets from a regular well-balanced diet. Too much calcium from supplements can lead to problems, like a higher risk of kidney stones and poor absorption of micronutrients.

There are three main treatment options for men whose prostate cancer has grown and become more likely to spread: surgical removal of the prostate, radiation to destroy the cancer cells, and hormone therapy to slow the cancer’s growth. One aspect of treatment men should consider is the possibility of side effects. Understanding how common they are and their potential consequences can help men with their treatment choices.

The body roundness index—defined as height in relation to waist circumference—may be a good way to predict a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.

A 2024 study suggested that women with perinatal depression, which can occur during or just after pregnancy, have significantly higher risks of developing later cardiovascular disease.

A 2024 study found that in women who had a breast cancer diagnosis in only one breast, the odds of dying from breast cancer didn’t change if they had the other breast removed as a precaution.

A small 2024 study found that serving a ranch dip with salty snacks led people to consume far more calories and eat faster.

People with asthma should be aware of seemingly harmless substances, such as wood smoke and candle scents that could worsen symptoms such as coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath. They should also get vaccinated against viral infections, see a specialist if necessary, keep watch for signs of a flare, and create a plan with their doctor to address flare-ups, which send millions of Americans to hospital emergency departments every year.

Toxic productivity is an obsessive preoccupation with being productive at all costs. It’s not a diagnosable health condition, but can take a toll on people’s mental well-being, leading to insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Toxic productivity is marked by a false sense of urgency, an inability to relax, and guilt or shame over not accomplishing “enough.” People coping with toxic productivity can combat the impulse by doing deep breathing, journaling, and examining their relationship to downtime.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects roughly equal numbers of women and men. But the condition imposes a disproportionate burden on women—shaping symptoms, affecting reproductive decisions, and increasing risks of ominous downstream health effects. IBD can ramp up symptoms during menstruation, cause painful sex, and raise risks for iron-deficiency anemia and osteoporosis. Plus, some drugs used for IBD may raise the risk for cervical cancer.