Harvard Health Content API

Most breathing follows a smooth, steady rhythm, but sometimes normal breathing turns erratic. For example, when people are stressed or panicked, breathing gets shallow, making it feel as if it is hard to take in air. When the fight-or-flight response kicks in to confront perceived danger (real or imagined), breathing pace quickens to prepare the heart and muscles for a quick getaway. One way to manage these types of stressful breathing when they occur is to practice breathing exercises designed to help bring in more oxygen and slow the breathing rhythm.

Two classes of diabetes drugs—GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors—have received much attention lately. They not only lower blood sugar, they also help with weight reduction and may lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. The drugs can be taken as daily oral tablets or in some cases weekly injections, both of which are preferable over daily insulin shots.

Nutrition does not have to be expensive. Some of the healthiest foods at grocery stores also are some of the least costly. By following some basic shopping strategies and knowing how to properly prepare and store produce, people can keep their refrigerator and pantry stocked with nutritious and inexpensive foods that support their health and their budget.

Statin therapy can help lower the risk of developing new plaques in the arteries and having a heart attack, although the effect may not show up on coronary artery calcium scans that measure the amount of calcium in the walls of the heart’s arteries.

Cardio exercise has been convincingly linked to less cognitive decline and may even improve cognitive functioning. Research suggests it can strengthen the heart, promote arterial health, improve blood flow to the brain, fight inflammation, and increase key chemicals that promote new brain cell growth. The type of exercise does not matter, but cardio that is both physically challenging and offers mental stimulation is ideal.

People who eat more dairy fat—which is plentiful in whole milk, yogurt, and cheese—may be less likely to develop heart disease than people who eat smaller amounts of dairy.

Swapping regular table salt (sodium chloride) with a salt substitute containing some potassium chloride may lower the risk of strokes and related heart problems.

People with healthy sleep habits may be less likely to have atrial fibrillation and bradyarrhythmia. Healthy sleep patterns include sleeping seven to eight hours a night and rarely or never having insomnia or daytime drowsiness.

Citrus fruits such as oranges and tangerines contain heart-healthy nutrients such as fiber and flavonoids. But grapefruit also contains compounds that may increase the blood level of certain statins.

People with high blood pressure should avoid certain popular over-the-counter drugs used to treat cold and flu symptoms and pain. The problematic products are those that contain decongestants such as oxymetazoline, pseudoephedrine, and phenylephrine; and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Because drugstores contain an overwhelming number of products that feature those drugs, people should ask their pharmacist to recommend a product.