Blog Posts by The Editors of Prevention

Did you know that your brain obeys its own rhythm? It's based largely on your human clock, sleep pattern, exposure to light, and genetic makeup-and getting in a groove with its tempo can make you healthier and happier and give you more energy.

5 ways that stress actually helps you

As cutting-edge research shows, you can burn more calories from exercise, work more efficiently and improve concentration, and even have better sex by learning how to synch up to your circadian rhythm and brain's power hours. Here's your daily guide.

7 to 9 AM: Get busy in bed

"The perfect moment for bonding with your spouse is right when you wake up," says Ilia Karatsoreos, PhD, a neuroscientist at Rockefeller University. The reason: Levels of oxytocin (aka the "love hormone") are sky-high upon waking, making it the best time for intimacy of all kinds.

These are the hours to strengthen your relationship with the most important people in your life. Wake up feeling frisky and need

Read More »from 7 Times during the day you’re naturally brilliant

Even if you exercise, avoid saturated fats, watch your cholesterol, and avoid cigarettes like the plague, there are other habits and hazards that can increase your risk of a heart attack. Talk with your doctor if any of these apply to you:

The healthiest time to do absolutely everything

1) You have a skin disease Psoriasis, a red, scaly, skin disorder, triggers inflammation inside the body, so having this chronic disease can boost your chances of cardiovascular disease nearly as much as smoking.
2) Skimping on sleep Getting 5 or fewer hours a night more than doubles the danger, even in otherwise healthy people.

100 ways to sleep deeper and wake up refreshed

3) Gum disease People who have chronic periodontal disease-bacterial infection of the gums-are nearly twice as likely to have a fatal heart attack as those who don't.

4) Pregnancy complications Having preeclampsia (high blood pressure and protein in the urine) doubles the odds of heart attack later in life; developing Read More »from 5 Heart attack risks you've never heard of

For decades, doctors had nothing more sophisticated than a stress test to identify potential heart problems. Not anymore. Cardiologists now use advanced imaging and blood tests that give a much more accurate assessment of heart attack risk. "These tests are the best ways to tell who is in danger, because they can catch cardiovascular disease 20 to 30 years before it gets severe enough to cause a heart attack or stroke," says Arthur Agatston, MD, an early champion of many of them.

Drastically reduce heart attack risk in one month

These tests are available at most major medical centers and hospitals. If your doctor doesn't request them for you, demand the ones that are recommended for women in your age group (40 plus) and risk category.

1) Carotid Intimal Medial Thickness Test

How It Works: This "ultrasound of the neck" takes a picture of the left and right carotid arteries, which supply blood to your head and brain. After putting a gel on your neck, a technician glides

Read More »from 4 Heart tests that could save your life

art attack symptoms aren't unisex. "What we think of as characteristic heart attack pain-like an elephant sitting on your chest-is much more likely to occur in men than in women," says Marianne Legato, MD, director of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University and a Prevention advisory board member. In fact, 43% of women having a coronary don't experience any chest pain at all. Because their signs are so much less obvious, women wait longer to go to the ER than men do. But that can be fatal: Your odds of surviving a heart attack improve by 23% if you get treatment within 3 hours and 50% if it's within 1 hour.

Don't become a cardiac cautionary tale. Read on for the seven heart attack warning signs women are most likely to miss. And if you do experience any or all of these, act immediately-don't delay because you're not absolutely sure it's serious. As Dr. Legato puts it: "It's better to be embarrassed than dead."

7 heart tests that can save your life

Read More »from 7 Signs you’re having a heart attack

One of the most frustrating things your husband can say to you: "I need to lose 5 pounds-I'll cut out the beer." That's because you could forgo beer forever and still never get close to squeezing into your skinny jeans from high school. It's not fair, but men are natural losers. We women may think we know every weight loss trick in the book, but men have some distinct physiological advantages.

For one, men's bigger muscle mass helps them burn 30% more calories than we do, says nutritionist Cynthia Sass, RD, coauthor of Your Diet Is Driving Me Crazy. Women generally have more body fat and are biologically more inclined to store it; men also get a free pass from the monthly hormone peaks and valleys that leave us grumpy, bloated, and craving chocolate and cheese. Still, you can take a cue from the guys and use it to your advantage. Here are 6 reasons guys drop pounds faster that will work for you too:

1. He doesn't crave sweets
Both men and women have cravings-but his

Read More »from 6 Reasons guys lose weight faster

If you feel like you need an advance degree (and a sizable back account) to manage your health insurance, read on. Here are 7 tips to help you save money-and your sanity-while still getting the best possible care you can.

1. Shop for Tests Like you Shop for Shoes
Need an expensive test that's going to cost you a hefty out-of-pocket sum? It might be worthwhile to compare prices among different labs and clinics; fees can vary widely. To compare prices, you need to know the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) code, a universally accepted number that corresponds to an MRI, a specific lab analysis, or any other billable service. The American Medical Association's Web site, ama-assn.org, has an easy-to-use CPT search engine. Once you have the code, you can get price quotes from several providers. You may be surprised at how well you'll do. "For a CT scan, the price could range between $500 and $1,500 at two different facilities," says Devon Herrick, PhD, a senior fellow at the

Read More »from 7 Ways NOT to hemorrhage money on health care

You touch germy stuff all day. In fact, the average adult comes in contact with as many as 30 objects within a minute, including germ-harboring, high-traffic surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs, phone receivers, and the remote control. While most of us are aware that these surfaces aren't bastions of sanitation (and why we wash our hands accordingly) there are, unfortunately, places many of us visit regularly where germs abound. Here, 7 of the most common, and how you can stay (mostly) germ-free.

1. Restaurant menus

Have you ever seen anyone wash off a menu? Probably not. A recent study in the Journal of Medical Virology reported that cold and flu viruses can survive for 18 hours on hard surfaces. If it's a popular restaurant, hundreds of people could be handling the menus--and passing their germs on to you. Never let a menu touch your plate or silverware, and wash your hands after you place your order.

See low-calorie restaurant menu items

2. Lemon wedges

Read More »from Ick! 7 Germiest public places

Next time you have a minor medical issues crop us- or you just want a health boost-look no further than your kitchen cabinet.

When minor medical issues crop up (nosebleeds, insect stings, dandruff!), chances are your medicine cabinet already contains some effective-and surprising-fixes for what ails you. Here are 6 common household items that all do double duty, saving you a trip to the pharmacy-and cash in the process!

1. Soothe an insect bite with an antacid tablet

"Antacid formulations such as Alka-Seltzer contain aspirin, an anesthetic that can help ease the sting and itch of insect bites," says Howard Sobel, MD, a clinical attending physician in dermatology and dermatologic surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

He recommends making a paste with a crushed Antacid tablet, a pinch of oatmeal (also a skin soother), and water and applying it to the skin. Results are immediate-and this DIY formula has a healing bonus that other anti-itch salves lack.

Read More »from Can chocolate save your skin?