Keep up the good work, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia! An American Heart Association national telephone survey of more than 350,000 people shows that your heart health ranks highest in the nation based on seven measures. In contrast, the number of people reporting ideal heart health was lowest in Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Mississippi.

The survey asked people about blood pressure, total cholesterol, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Overall, people living in the states of the West and New England scored highest in all seven measures. Women did better than men, as did those with the most education. Age-wise, the survey revealed no surprises: people 35 to 54 fared better in their heart health profile than those 55 and older.

In the journals

Exercising improves walking speed for people with Parkinson's

Three different kinds of exercise improved walking speed in people with Parkinson's disease, according to a study in Archives of Neurology. The finding adds to the growing evidence that physical exercise improves daily function in people with Parkinson's, a progressive disease that destroys brain cells that help control motion.

The study assigned 67 participants to one of three exercise regimens, which they performed three times a week for three months:

How to arm yourself better to breathe easier.

Spring allergy seasons continue to start earlier each year (it was February in 2012), and pollen counts continue to go up. It's not a fluke; scientists say the effects of climate change are making allergy seasons worse. Research presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in November 2012 suggests that by 2040, pollen counts are expected to double. "I do think that the allergy seasons seem to be longer. When winter is shorter and less severe, it means there will be pollens and molds present for a longer period of time," says Dr. Stacey Gray, an allergy expert at the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

The offenders

Grass, weeds, and trees release tiny pollens into the air each spring, summer and fall. Inhaling these pollens can trigger a reaction of the immune system. It's known as hay fever. Symptoms vary, but commonly include a runny nose, sneezing, itching, and burning or watery eyes. If you have asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease, pollen can increase your risk for flareups. Other floating pollutants in the air can cause allergic reactions as well, such as mold spores and dust mite droppings, although mites aren't a seasonal problem, and mold can be a year-round problem in warm climates.

If you can't do aerobics, weights can aid prevention.

You've probably heard that exercise helps to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. But you may assume that means you need to perform aerobic exercise that leads to weight loss, and that may seem daunting. Now a study from Harvard and the University of Southern Denmark says that men who do weight training instead can still significantly cut their diabetes risk. "It's great news for people who may not be able to do aerobic activity," says Dr. Eric Rimm, one of the authors of the study and an associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Insider tips to getting the device best for you.

The typical causes of cramps in the hands include dehydration and straining the muscles with repeated motions like typing. Low calcium or magnesium or a compressed nerve in the wrist may also cause cramping. Stretching the fingers may help.

Finally, lasers for cataracts, thanks to 3D imaging.

We often think of three-dimensional (3D) images and lasers in terms of science fiction movies. But these two technologies are now being used in the very real realm of cataract surgery. "They both already exist, and we are just now bringing them together for novel use," says Dr. Roberto Pineda, director of refractive surgery at the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Cataract surgery

When the natural lens of your eye becomes cloudy—often with age—it's called a cataract. It can be removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant. This is a common outpatient procedure. An ophthalmologist uses surgical instruments and ultrasound power to break up, remove, and replace the eye's cloudy lens.

If you suffer from chronic heartburn or another digestive disorder, you may have been prescribed a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI), which helps reduce the production of stomach acid. There are several different types of PPIs. Prescription-only PPIs include esomeprazole (Nexium) and pantoprazole (Protonix). Some PPIs are also available over the counter, including lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec).

How they work

PPIs work by inhibiting certain stomach cells from "pumping" acid into the stomach. When taken 30 to 60 minutes before a meal, PPIs can prevent or reduce heartburn. However, they do not work as well when taken on demand as they do when taken over a period of time. And while PPIs are generally safe when used in the short term, they do carry some risks in the long term. Unfortunately, the medications tend to be overused. "I think a lot of people get heartburn from taking medications or ingesting certain food and drinks. To treat their symptoms they get PPIs over the counter or from their physicians," says Dr. Jacqueline Wolf, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition found in about half of U.S. adults older than 75, has come to be considered by many people as an almost "normal" part of aging, because it is so widespread. But a recent study suggests that CKD and its complications are associated with a higher risk of death at any age, and that preventing CKD or at least slowing its progress is not only possible, but should be a priority for everybody. The study was published online Oct. 30, 2012, in The Journal of the American Medical Association.

CKD involves the loss of kidney function over time, and one of the indicators of CKD is the amount of protein in the urine. Because of the link between CKD and higher death risks, people who start to experience kidney problems should take all necessary steps to make lifestyle changes and follow recommended treatment plans. CKD is also a risk factor for cardiovascular complications. Among the main preventive steps you can take are to quit smoking, drink alcohol in moderation (if at all), and eat a healthy diet that's low in saturated fat.

Q. I often receive offers in the mail to perform an ultrasound of my carotid arteries. Should I sign up for a carotid ultrasound?

A. You probably don't need this test unless you are experiencing certain warning signs. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and the major risk factors for stroke are age, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking. Narrowing of the carotid arteries could cause a clot that blocks blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke).