Harvard Health Content API

At some point, most older adults experience the occasional “senior moment” where they misplace an everyday object, lose their train of thought during a conversation, or forget why they walked into a room. Memory lapses like this are part of normal aging, but the problem can be exacerbated by issues like depression, stress, poor sleep, and medication side effects. If these episodes become so frequent or substantial that they interfere with a person’s daily life or safety, it’s time to see a doctor.

Scrotum pain should be checked out, as it’s a common symptom of certain conditions. These include infections, like sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections; twisting (torsion) of a testicle; varicocele (swollen veins in the scrotum); inguinal hernia; hydrocele (a collection of fluid in the scrotum); and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a sound people hear in their ears or head that no one else can hear. It is often described as buzzing, humming, ringing, static, or whooshing. While tinnitus is rarely a serious problem, people should get checked to see if it is related to a medical condition.

Research has shown that men can have a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes if they suffer from certain medical conditions that might seem unrelated to heart disease. These conditions include erectile dysfunction, gum disease, peripheral artery disease, and urinary tract infections. Many factors that contribute to heart disease like inflammation and fatty deposits in the arteries are involved in these other conditions.

According to a 2024 study, eating foods rich in beneficial plant compounds called flavonoids may lower the risk of atherosclerosis in the arteries of the legs and neck. Good sources of flavonoids include tea, apples, pears, peaches, and oranges.

Virtual personalized coaching about reducing heart-related risks before heart surgery may reduce complications after surgery, a 2024 study found. Delivered via smartphone, “teleprehabilitation” offers advice on smoking cessation, nutrition, and exercise.

Letting your arm dangle or rest in your lap (instead of being supported at heart level, as is recommended) during a blood pressure check can cause a falsely high reading, according to a 2024 study.

Many Americans may have a potentially serious condition marked by a buildup of fat inside the liver. Known as metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), it’s closely linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The root of the problem is usually excess weight—especially the accumulation of belly fat known as abdominal obesity. Weight gain can trigger a host of metabolic problems that cause blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels to rise. All of these factors are closely linked to a higher risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is one of the common causes of death among people with MASLD.

Implanted heart devices include pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), which monitor and correct abnormal heart rhythms. While very reliable, they are not perfect, and recalls of these devices affect thousands of people each year, according to a 2024 study. Testing the effectiveness and safety of cardiac devices is far more complicated than testing drugs. But efforts are under way to improve postmarket tracking of device complications by using electronic health records, Medicare databases, and registries developed in partnership with device manufacturers.

A 2024 study indicates that concentrated, “weekend warrior” exercise is just as effective at protecting against many health conditions as spreading exercise throughout the week.