Category Archives: Heart Health

A change in diet may help patients with treatment-resistant high blood pressure. According to a new study published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, adopting the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan could successfully reduce blood pressure in those who have not had progress through other treatments. Those who had the most ...click here to read more

High cholesterol, and particularly high levels of harmful LDL cholesterol, contribute to heart disease and increase the risk of a heart attack. But cholesterol is largely modifiable, and changing what you eat can influence its effect. Food can lower cholesterol in different ways, and various foods can offer unique effects. Some use soluble fiber to ...click here to read more

A new study is showing a strong link between women who suffer migraines and experience severe hot flashes during menopause. The combo may also boost the risk for heart disease. The study also found that migraines don’t cause more or worse hot flashes or the other way around. Instead, it’s believed they are both related ...click here to read more

New research suggests that physical activity may build up calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, the amount of which is used to determine future cardiovascular disease risk. This new information contradicts how physical activity is generally viewed for heart health. This new research shows that physically active people may have higher levels of calcium deposits ...click here to read more

Exercise is part of a heart-healthy lifestyle, but is building muscle really the best way to go? According to a new study, losing fat seems like it’s far more important to heart health than adding strength and muscle. That isn’t to say that muscle is bad for heart health or that it isn’t beneficial in ...click here to read more

According to a new study published in the American Heart Association’s journal, Circulation, more than 40% of adults without known heart disease were found to have fat deposits in the heart arteries. Fat in the heart arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, is known to be a major cause of heart attack. People who are at ...click here to read more

If you’ve had a stroke, life can get scary. The thought of exercise, or adding stress to your heart, can be even scarier. But exercise can help with recovery, potentially reduce the risk of a repeated cardiac event, and promote a healthier heart. You just can’t rush into it. There is very limited data on ...click here to read more

Those who have atrial fibrillation (AF) may want to steer clear of alcohol. According to new research by UC San Francisco, alcohol consumption could substantially increase the chance of the heart rhythm condition within a few hours. This study goes against some previous studies that suggested alcohol could be “cardioprotective.” But researchers are firm on ...click here to read more

When you get stressed out, your heart feels it. You may think it’s common knowledge that blood pressure rises with stress. You can feel it, after all. But it might not go away. A new study published in Hypertension indicates that people who feel a lot of stress are at a higher risk of going ...click here to read more

Adults who have high-stress hormones are more likely to develop high blood pressure and heart events compared to those who have lower stress hormones. This new research was published in the American Heart Association journal, Hypertension. Previous studies have found that cumulative exposure to long-term or traumatic stress can increase cardiovascular risk, and there is ...click here to read more

According to new research, replacing salt with a low-sodium alternative can lower the risk of stroke in people with high blood pressure. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study looked at the effects of sodium on heart disease, stroke, and death. Previous studies have shown that both elevated sodium and low potassium ...click here to read more

In older patients with hypertension, aggressive blood pressure treatment may lower the risk of cardiovascular events. Compared to standard therapy, this treatment comes without increasing adverse outcomes. Previous studies in older adults with hypertension have shown mixed results, and guidelines recommend different target levels. These trials specifically set out to examine whether intensive treatment targeting ...click here to read more

There are a lot of nuts that rise to the top of the “healthiest nut” category depending on what you’re looking for. Although you’re unlikely to run into an unhealthy nut, walnuts may have a slight edge when talking about heart health. Oh, and I should say the former sentences are true only if we’re ...click here to read more

Cardiovascular risk may be higher in women if they tend to have stress in the workplace. Work stress, fatigue, and sleep disorders are generally regarded as non-traditional risk factors for stroke and heart attack, but according to a new study, these factors are rising more among women. The study compared data from 22,000 men and ...click here to read more