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TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEART HEALTH

Dear Reader, Your cardiovascular system is amazing — 60,000 miles of vessels working around the clock with your heart at the center. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States. And it’s not just heart attacks. The number of people facing heart failure is rising. The good news is that you can reduce your risk with expert, evidence-based information. That’s where the Harvard Heart Letter comes in. Created by Harvard Medical School doctors, it’s designed to empower you with clear, practical, and up-to-date advice that can lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, improve your quality of life, and help you make informed decisions about your heart health. That’s why you’re invited to receive instant access to the latest heart health advances and breakthroughs from the heart experts at Harvard Medical School — completely Risk-FREE. READ RISK-FREE Tens of thousands of readers trust the Harvard Heart Letter for guidance they can use right away. Each issue answers questions you may be wondering about: Can sex trigger a heart attack? Rarely — it’s about the same exertion as light chores. Are heart palpitations serious? Occasional flutters are usually harmless, but frequent ones deserve a doctor’s attention. Why measure blood pressure in both arms? A difference of 10 points or more between both arms could mean artery disease. Is broken-heart syndrome real? Yes. Stress can affect your heart in ways that mimic a heart attack. Can controlling blood pressure improve your memory? Yes. A recent study found that it may help preserve brain function as you age. And that’s just the beginning. You’ll also get clear insights about medications, supplements, and breakthrough procedures — unbiased and evidence-based. Expert guidance you can trust The Harvard Heart Letter brings you the expertise of Harvard Medical School cardiologists and researchers who are at the forefront of medicine. We cut through the confusion and deliver practical, proven ways to protect your heart. Every issue can help you: Reduce drug costs with lifestyle strategies that really work Weigh the benefits and risks of statins, aspirin, and blood thinners Learn when supplements help — or when they’re just wasting money Find fitness routines you can start today, no matter your age Stay alert to unexpected warning signs that could save your life Try the Harvard Heart Letter for yourself — RISK-FREE! That means if you decide the Harvard Heart Letter isn’t for you, for any reason at all, you can cancel and get a refund on any of the issues you haven’t received. So, if you’re even a little bit interested — go ahead and take a look right now. There’s no risk and you can cancel at any time. Don’t wait. Protect your health, save money, and discover the breakthrough research that could add years of life and vitality. To your heart health, Howard LeWine, M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School CLAIM YOUR RISK-FREE ISSUE! P.S. Harvard Heart Letter is quick to read and easy to follow. It’s filled with actionable advice that not only works, but also puts you on the cutting edge of cardiovascular research and medicine. Many readers tell us it’s quite fascinating! Try it RISK-FREE — and if it’s not everything we promise, you haven’t risked a cent!

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Better Living Brief Featured content for a healthier life TODAY'S FEATURED ARTICLE What is the "gout diet"? A plant-forward, varied diet can help people manage gout. Other helpful steps are to lose weight if needed, stay hydrated, avoid overeating and excessive alcohol, and take medications as prescribed. Small, sustainable changes can mean fewer flares and better quality of life. READ MORE → MORE FEATURED CONTENT When your brain takes revenge at bedtime Revenge bedtime procrastination involves sacrificing sleep to prioritize personal time for activities unrelated to the demands of work or caregiving. Short-term effects of insufficient quality sleep time include next-day fatigue and negative mood. Persistent sleep deprivation can increase risks of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia. READ MORE → Ask the Doc: Will lithium supplements be used to fight Alzheimer's one day? A 2025 study suggests that very low levels of lithium in the brain might be linked to Alzheimer's disease. In mice, certain lithium supplements seemed to protect memory and the brain. But scientists don't yet know if lithium pills are safe or helpful for people. READ MORE → Ask the Doc: What's the difference between bifocals, trifocals, and progressive lenses? Bifocals have two vision zones: the top helps with distance and the bottom for close viewing. Trifocals add a third zone in the middle for middle-distance tasks, such as computer work. Progressive lenses cover all distances, but with no lines in the lenses. READ MORE →

Zing! It can happen in an instant... Dear Reader, You could be reaching into the back seat of your car for a bag. Or reaching to get something off the top shelf... Suddenly you feel a sharp pain in your arm, your shoulder, or your back. And it doesn’t go away. You’ve pulled or strained a muscle. Why? Because you weren’t flexible enough. But not to worry... Because now, the experts at Harvard Medical School can show you how to get rid of that pulled muscle or aching joint in a hurry. What’s more — how to keep it from happening again! If you have sore muscles, achy joints, or just can’t bend like you used to... ...you owe it to yourself to see what the experts at Harvard Medical School can show you about stretching. Yes, stretching. LEARN MORE Discover how to go beyond ordinary stretches to find the ones that really do relieve your joint and muscle pains! For instance, you’ll see... What to do when you can’t bend very far. This simple technique gets your muscles to relax, so you get a safer, more complete stretch. Doctor-recommended stretches that ease your pain! Yes, there are stretches that help relieve your arthritis pain, stiff back, and sore knees. The best time of day to stretch. (Hint: it’s different for everyone. Here’s how to discover the best time for you.) How to make your workspace more “ergonomic” and less likely to trigger pain. Best chair to use, best position for your computer, best place for your elbows and hands. The type of stretch that hurts your performance. Dozens of studies now show what to do instead before walking, running or playing any sport. How to “wake up” your nerves before any activity. This can reduce your risk of injury by 50%. Five “classic” stretches that everyone should know. Because they make the biggest difference in your daily life. And much, much more... You’ll find these stretches are easy to do and quite relaxing. They are designed for people of all ages and abilities. And you can do these stretches anywhere — at home, at work, even on an airplane. Each page in this Special Report has crystal-clear instructions — complete with photos that show you how to do each stretch. So you can feel confident that you’re doing each stretch correctly. Plus, there are more free tips and videos waiting for you online when you click on the links in the book! Don’t let stiff muscles and aching joints make you feel old. Ask for your copy of The Harvard Medical School Special Health Report on Stretching today! LEARN MORE & GET STARTED TODAY!

SUBSCRIBE | SHOP THE BOOKSTORE Treating anxiety and stress disorders with therapy People often get temporary feelings of worry or anxiety. But if those feelings are persistent, especially if they are unusually intense or out of proportion to the real troubles, it may indicate a generalized anxiety disorder. Psychotherapy - particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, or insight-oriented therapy - plays a key role in helping people manage anxiety. Each of these approaches involves working with a mental health professional to understand the root causes of anxiety and learn strategies to control symptoms. Therapy can take place in various settings, from doctors' offices to schools, and it is most effective when you feel a strong connection with your therapist. Get your copy of Anxiety and Stress Disorders Everyone worries or gets scared sometimes. But if you feel extremely worried or afraid much of the time, or if you repeatedly feel panicky, you may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses, affecting roughly 40 million American adults each year. This Special Health Report, Anxiety and Stress Disorders, discusses the latest and most effective treatment approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapies, psychotherapy, and medications. A special section delves into alternative treatments for anxiety such as relaxation techniques, mindfulness meditation, and biofeedback.   SHOW ME MORE → Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) CBT, the leading form of psychotherapy for anxiety, aims to correct ingrained patterns of negative thoughts and behaviors. As the name suggests, the treatment has two parts. Cognitive therapy helps people change patterns of thinking that prevent them from overcoming their fears. Behavioral therapy works to change their reactions in situations that trigger anxiety. People with social anxiety disorder, for example, may assume that others will inevitably regard what they say as stupid. This is negative thinking. As a result, these people may avoid being with or talking to others. This is an example of negative behavior. The goal of CBT is to break this chain of thoughts and reactions. Exposure therapy Exposure and response prevention, a type of exposure therapy used to treat anxiety, gradually and increasingly exposes you to the object of your anxiety until the fear subsides. Under the guidance of a therapist, you first imagine and then confront your fears. Studies show that a series of eight to 12 sessions of exposure therapy yields significant, long-lasting results: symptoms improve in 60% to 80% of people, and the benefits continue for two to six years. Today, virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is being explored as a way of treating PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Insight-oriented psychotherapy This form of traditional talk therapy delves into how life events, desires, and past and current relationships affect your feelings, lead to discomfort, and contribute to your anxiety. During treatment, you and your therapist will discover the unconscious reasons behind your anxiety. Together, you'll explore how unresolved conflicts from your past may contribute to your present distress. The goal is to increase your self-awareness, as well as your acceptance of certain feelings or thoughts that may otherwise create discomfort or internal conflict. For more information on therapy or other treatments for anxiety, check out Coping with Anxiety and Stress Disorders, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Image: © Zinkevych/Getty Images Share this story: FEATURED CONTENT Anxiety and Stress Disorders • What are anxiety and stress disorders? • Your genes, your brain, your life experiences, your personality • Types of anxiety and stress disorders • Diagnosing anxiety and stress disorders • Treating anxiety and stress disorders • Lifestyle treatments for anxiety • SPECIAL SECTION: Mindfulness and relaxation toolkit Click here to learn more »

Skin Cancer: Harvard doctors share what you need to know By understanding the latest treatments and therapies you can become your best advocate Inside this guide: ✓ Check your moles! Spot the signs of melanoma with the simple 5 letter “alphabet” guide... ✓ Understand stages 0, I, II, II, and IV: What does it all mean? How deep is the skin cancer? What are the survival rates? ✓ Find the right treatment team: Will a dermatologist be enough or do you need a full medical team? ✓ Good news! Chemotherapy isn’t commonly used for skin cancer today. Here’s why... ✓ Common side effects of treatments: Radiation, surgery, targeted therapies, immunotherapy ✓ Oncolytic virus therapy: What is it, when is it used, and how effective is it? With Harvard’s handy action plan, you’ll have credible information you can use to understand your skin cancer and discuss the best treatment options with your doctor. Dear Reader, Skin cancer — words that strike fear into your heart. If you’ve been diagnosed, you’re not alone. One in five Americans will be affected by skin cancer at some point in their lives. Thankfully, major strides have been made and today, most skin cancers are highly treatable — including greater hope than ever for treating melanoma, the more advanced and aggressive skin cancer. Learning you have skin cancer can be scary and confusing, and you may have a lot of questions. That’s why Harvard Medical School created Your Skin Cancer Action Plan: The steps to take, now that you have a diagnosis. With this action plan you can talk to your doctor about your diagnosis with confidence... Whether you’ve already been diagnosed and your cancer hasn’t been “staged,” or you haven’t started treatment yet, you’ll find Harvard’s action plan an indispensable tool. Even if you don’t have skin cancer but want to be sure you catch it early, you can use this online guide to help you spot skin cancer early. Inside Harvard’s action plan you’ll find the four essential steps to take to navigate your diagnosis with greater ease, including understanding “staging” and knowing which treatment options are available to you. You’ll get detailed insights to help you understand the type of skin cancer you have whether it’s basal cell, squamous cell, or melanoma. And you’ll learn how each how each skin cancer grows...what they look like...and places they often appear even where you may not think to look. PLUS: Cure rates for the different types and stages of skin cancer... Survival rates for every stage and for each type of skin cancer... Details on topicals, superficial treatments, surgery, radiation, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and more. Get your best shot at beating skin cancer with Your Skin Cancer Action Plan online guide. Sincerely, Howard E. LeWine, M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing

Week in Review Your weekly check-in for better living HEALTH FACT OF THE WEEK Learning new skills—like dancing, a language, or an instrument—builds new neural connections and may help protect against cognitive decline. ALZHEIMER'S & BRAIN HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH Can you have Alzheimer's without symptoms? Q.  I've heard that many older adults have signs of Alzheimer's disease in their brains but don't seem to have cognitive problems. What might explain that? A. It's an intriguing phenomenon indeed. Research indicates that more than 30% of people over age 70 who have no apparent problems with memory or thinking skills have significant amounts of amyloid plaque - and over 10% even have substantial levels of tau tangles - in their brains. These abnormal proteins accumulate in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease and are implicated in the progressive degeneration that eventually robs them of the ability to care for themselves. READ MORE → Get your copy of Alzheimer's Disease Have you noticed memory problems piling up in ways that affect daily life in yourself or someone you love? Do you find yourself struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word, becoming confused in new places, or botching tasks that once came easily? More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and estimates suggest it will affect 13.8 million by 2050. Already, it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. This Special Health Report, Alzheimer's Disease: A guide to coping, treatment, and caregiving, includes in-depth information on diagnosing Alzheimer’s and treating its symptoms. READ MORE → EXPLORE MORE CONTENT Quiz: Test your cholesterol knowledge Think you know the facts about cholesterol? Take our quick 10-question quiz from our exclusive HHO+ subscription to test your knowledge and learn how cholesterol affects your heart health and overall well-being. TAKE QUIZ → MIND diet may slow age-related brain changes Research has linked the MIND diet to slower cognitive decline and perhaps a lower risk of dementia. Now, findings from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort suggest a reason: following the diet may help preserve some of your brain's structure as you age. READ MORE → Get your copy of A Guide to Cognitive Fitness Inside A Guide to Cognitive Fitness, Harvard Medical School doctors share a seven-step program that can yield important and lasting results. Together these lifestyle changes can strengthen your intellectual prowess, promote your powers of recall, and protect the brain-based skills that are essential for full, rewarding, and independent living. From simple and specific changes in eating to ways to challenge your brain, this is guidance that will pay dividends for you and your future. READ MORE → When a stroke strikes: What to expect at the emergency room If you suspect that you or someone near you is having a stroke, don't delay getting help (see "Spot a stroke"). Swift diagnosis and treatment can preserve brain cells and minimize the risk of a devastating disability. You should always call 911 - and not only because traveling via ambulance is faster and safer than driving. READ MORE → MUST READ Stroke What is a stroke? How strokes affect the brain Medical problems that raise stroke risk SPECIAL SECTION: Lifestyle changes to help prevent strokes Diagnosing a stroke Click here to learn more »