Skip to main content

Health screenings and checkups Archive

Articles

What is considered a healthy body fat percentage as you age?

While there is no agreed-upon normal range for body fat, most men ages 60 to 79 should aim for 13% to 24% body fat. Measuring waist and hip size can provide an estimate of how much dangerous belly fat a person carries.

Navigating your online patient portal: Best practices

Online patient portals enable people to see their medical records, communicate with their doctors, and more. This improved access has advantages along some with potential pitfalls, which can be avoided.

Tips for adjusting to bifocals and other specialty lenses

Adjusting to bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses can be challenging. Unlike traditional glasses, these versions include two or more vision zones. Because people use different parts of the lens for different tasks, objects can seem slightly distorted when they move their eyes.

Can you prevent the hunched back of kyphosis?

Osteoporosis, age-related disc degeneration, and poor posture can cause or worsen a curved upper spine (hyperkyphosis). Maintaining bone health and strengthening the muscles responsible for good posture can help to slow the development of a curved spine.

What might be causing my anemia?

An anemia diagnosis can cause concern. Doctors can trace possible causes through clues that provide information about iron levels, hidden blood loss, nutrition, and bone marrow.

What are the health risks of aluminum exposure?

From cookware to deodorant, aluminum is everywhere. Most people clear it efficiently from their bodies.

Can frequent blood donation cause iron deficiency anemia?

Regular blood donations can sometimes lead to low iron levels and anemia. Learn why it happens, who's at risk, and when to pause giving blood.

How can I prevent spring allergies?

Last year's spring allergies were miserable. Learn when to begin antihistamines and nasal sprays so symptoms are blunted before pollen peaks.

CPR on TV may be misleading

Television portrayals of hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) aren't always accurate, according to a 2026 analysis. Inaccurate depictions involved the age of CPR recipients, how CPR was done and the location of where it was performed.

Emojis in electronic health records could be confusing

Although rare, emojis are now beginning to appear in electronic medical records sent to patients. People who are unsure about the meaning of any such messages should ask for clarification.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE 32-page gift worth $29.95.

PLUS, don’t miss out on your 25% off promo code.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle—You’ll discover powerful, research- backed strategies for health longevity drawn from Harvard Medical School experts—ways to eat for a longer life, build strength and flexibility to stay independent, protect your bones, heart, and brain as you age, and even cultivate the habits linked with “super-agers” who stay sharp and active well into their 80s and 90s—all delivered to your email box FREE.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of Living Longer, Living Well!.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of Living Longer, Living Well.