Harvard Health Content API

Even small amounts of alcohol—a single drink per day—has been linked to a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

The eyes may provide clues to the presence of cardiovascular disease. Ocular (eye) strokes can foreshadow a more serious stroke, and early damage to tiny eye blood vessels can be a harbinger of heart problems. Diabetes and high blood pressure (both common risk factors for heart disease) can damage vessels that supply the retina. Some middle-aged and older adults develop soft, yellowish, cholesterol-filled bumps on or around their eyelids. Called xanthelasmas, they can be a sign of high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or other fats in the blood, which also raises heart disease risk.

A study published online June 2, 2021, by the journal Brain found that a blood test may help to predict an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Most mobile health apps aren’t doing enough to protect people’s private information, according to a study published online June 16, 2021, by The BMJ.

Taking short breaks between practice sessions may help someone master a new skill, according to a study published June 8, 2021, in Cell Reports.

Research published online March 1, 2021, by the journal Circulation suggests that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day is associated with lower risks of many health conditions and even premature death, compared with eating two servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Researchers believe this could be because fruits and vegetables are major sources of nutrients linked to good health, including potassium, magnesium, fiber, and polyphenols. The most effective combination of fruits and vegetables appears to be two servings of fruits plus three servings of vegetables per day.

Many activities can help improve eye-hand coordination. Examples include racquet sports, swimming, tai chi, noncontact boxing, playing catch or cornhole, bouncing a ball against a wall, juggling, throwing darts, sewing or knitting, painting or drawing, or playing a video game. If an activity is too challenging, one can modify it to make it easier. For example: if a ball is too small for catch, one can hit a balloon back and forth; if it’s too hard to play table tennis with a Ping-Pong ball, one can use a larger ball such as a pickleball.