Research we’re watching Image: © grinvalds/Getty Images If you have an egg allergy, you may have been told not to get a flu shot. That’s because the vaccine is grown in eggs and may contain a small amount of egg protein, which — it was feared — could trigger an allergic reaction. But a new […]
Preparing your feet for summer
Flip-flops, crop tops, and backyard barbecues: they’re all signs of summer. Foot pain isn’t a welcome part of that picture, but it will be a reality for many people in the coming season. “We often see people develop problems when they wear sandals or go barefoot, or when they increase their activities after being less […]
Folic acid, a B vitamin, lowers stroke risk in people with high blood pressure
ARCHIVED CONTENT: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date each article was posted or last reviewed. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified […]
Optimism, heart health, and longevity: Unraveling the link for Black Americans
A positive outlook has been linked to better heart health and a longer life. But is that true for Black Americans, whose average lifespan is about 72 years, compared with an average lifespan of 77 years for all Americans? Recent findings from the nation’s largest and longest-running study of cardiovascular risk factors in Black Americans, […]
Icy fingers and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud’s phenomenon?
If your fingers or toes ever turn pale (or even ghostly white) and go numb when exposed to cold, you might assume you just have poor circulation. That’s what I used to think when I first started noticing this problem with my own hands many years ago. It usually happened near the end of a […]
Not yet ready for cataract surgery? Try these tips
Starting around age 40, the lenses of your eyes start becoming cloudy, a condition known as cataracts. In many people, cataracts eventually become so dense that their vision becomes blurry or distorted. By age 80, more than half of Americans will have developed a cataract or had cataract surgery . This surgery — a quick, […]
Pregnancy problems may predict heart health decades later
Anticipating the arrival of a new baby can warm a woman’s heart. But pregnancy can affect her heart in other ways, too. In fact, the heart pumps about 50% more blood than usual during pregnancy. And growing evidence confirms that women who experience health complications while pregnant — including high blood pressure and gestational diabetes […]
How positive psychology can help you cultivate better heart health
Conversations about heart disease and mental health often dwell on the overlap between cardiovascular problems and negative emotions. It makes sense: People with depression face a heightened risk of heart problems. Also, it’s common — and understandable — to feel moody, distressed, or irritable after a heart attack. Increasingly, however, mental health experts are focusing […]
The best sun-protective clothing
Summer officially starts this month, and in addition to using a strong sunscreen when you go outside, it’s a good idea to wear sun-protective clothing. That’s not just any hat or long-sleeved shirt in your closet; sun-protective clothes are made of materials that effectively shield your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Protective fabrics Loosely […]
10 Questions to ask when choosing a therapist
Having good rapport with a therapist is the most important factor in determining the outcome of therapy. The therapist should have formal training and certification and be licensed in your state. In general, the therapist should be able to describe the merits and drawbacks of different types of treatment, including ones he or she doesn’t […]