Four keys to prevent cardiovascular disease

After decades of steady decline, the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) has increased over the last few years. However, an estimated 80% of all CVD —heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke—can be prevented. They key is to control high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and follow healthy habits, such eating a plant-based diet, adopting regular physical activity, and getting adequate sleep. (Locked) More »

Can blood pressure medications interfere with my sex drive?

Certain blood pressure medications may cause sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction and a low sex drive. If the problem persists, a man should speak with his doctor about changing medications, lowering dosages, or exploring other possible health reasons. (Locked) More »

Why do I get weak after a bowel movement?

Bowel movements can slow heart rate and lower blood pressure, which can make a person feel weak. This often is not a serious problem, and lying down for a few minutes can make the feeling go away. More »

The power of forgiveness

Almost everyone has experienced being wronged by someone. It could be a former co-worker, friend, or family member. But hanging on to those negative feelings can do great harm to your health. "Forgiving a person who has wronged you is never easy, but dwelling on those events and reliving them over and over can fill your mind with negative thoughts and suppressed anger," says Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, co-director of the Initiative on Health, Religion, and Spirituality at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Yet, when you learn to forgive, you are no longer trapped by the past actions of others and can finally feel free." More »

Get healthy for vacation

Taking regular vacations is good for one’s health, but to ensure this time is healthy and injury-free, people should adopt several strategies before and during their trip. This includes updating their medication, increasing their endurance, practicing good hydration, getting enough sleep, and protecting themselves from local insects and possible food contamination. (Locked) More »

Breathing lessons

When people experience a stressful event, they breathe from the chest. This is part of the fight-or-flight response whereby the lungs bring in more oxygen to fuel the heart and muscles. Yet people often keep breathing from the chest even when the stressful event has passed. Breathing from the belly can counter this reaction by activating the body’s relaxation response and reducing heart rate and blood pressure. (Locked) More »

A flexible way to stretch

It’s normal for people to become less limber as they age as their muscles shrink and their tendons lose their water content. A sedentary lifestyle can make the condition even worse. This lack of flexibility can increase a person’s risk of injuries and make everyday movements more difficult. Yet it’s possible to slow and even reverse the loss of flexibility by adopting a regular all-around stretching routine. More »