• Cardiovascular

    Consumer Health: Heart attack risk and secondhand smoke

a burning cigarette, with smoke curling upward into the airHeart attack prevention: Should I avoid secondhand smoke?
Secondhand smoke exposure is a risk factor for having a heart attack. It's especially important to avoid secondhand smoke if you have had a previous heart attack or been diagnosed with heart disease. And if you smoke, the best way to reduce your heart attack risk is to quit. Learn more from Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist.

***

Also in today's tips ...

Will a vegetarian diet help me lose weight?
A vegetarian diet is not inherently a weight-loss diet but rather a lifestyle choice. It is true, however, that adults and children who follow a vegetarian diet generally are leaner than those who follow a nonvegetarian diet. Learn more from Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist.

First aid for sprains
Ligaments are the tough, elasticlike bands that connect bone to bone and hold your joints in place. A sprain is an injury to a ligament caused by tearing of the fibers of the ligament. Sprained ligaments often swell rapidly and are painful. Generally, the greater the pain and swelling, the more severe the injury. For most minor sprains, you probably can start initial injury treatment yourself. Learn what you can do to treat a minor sprain and when you need to seek emergency medical care.

How to live your best life in retirement
As with any major life transition, retirement is a time of shifting priorities. How you spend all that newfound free time can make a big difference in your health and quality of life. Here's how to make the most of your retirement years.

Overcoming your fear of public speaking
Fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety. It can range from slight nervousness to paralyzing fear and panic. Many people with this fear avoid public speaking situations altogether, or they suffer through them with shaking hands and a quavering voice. With preparation and persistence, you can overcome your fear. Learn more from Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a Mayo Clinic psychologist.

Related Articles