Dealing with a sluggish sex drive

Men and women can experience many age-related changes and health conditions that can cause their sex drives to decline. Couples who deal with mismatched or missing sex drives should communicate about how they can work together to get back in sync. Both partners should share what they enjoy before and during sex, what issues may be hindering their sex drive, and what strategies they can try, such as recreating dating, planning time for intimacy, and exploring new ways to create romantic moods.

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The art of the heart

Visual art in paintings, medical illustrations, and modern digital tools has influenced how people understand the human heart. The bridging of art and the heart dates back to Leonardo da Vinci, whose drawings laid the groundwork for modern cardiology. Today, the intersection of art and the heart may also contribute to healing through advocacy (such as art in public health campaigns), education (such as interactive animations to help people understand the heart), and innovation (such as three-dimensional models to illustrate procedures).

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Indoor air quality and heart health

A 2025 study found that using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap tiny particle pollutants may help lower blood pressure for people living near busy roads. Of particular concern are particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter, known as PM2.5, which creates inflammation that damages blood vessels and contributes to high blood pressure. Nearly a quarter of Americans live near vehicle-congested roads, and many more people are exposed to pollution from wildfire smoke.

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