Heart Attack Archive

The scientific understanding of HDL cholesterol has evolved in recent years, and many cardiologists now believe that HDL may be more of a bystander rather than a "good guy" that helps lower heart disease risk. While some types of HDL are great at plucking excess cholesterol from LDL and artery walls (a process referred to as reverse cholesterol transport) other types of HDL don't do this. In clinical trials, medications to raise HDL levels-including a drug specifically designed to improve reverse cholesterol transport-have not succeeded in lowering heart attacks and strokes.

High temperatures raise risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and also stress the cardiovascular system, making the heart work harder. If you have a heart condition, here's how to keep cool and protect yourself when temperatures rise.

An analysis shows less than 7% of adults in the US meet the criteria for optimal cardiometabolic health. Taking small steps to help control and improve key risk factors can reduce the odds of a heart attack or stroke.

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.

A review of 17 studies found that for people at high risk of heart disease, cutting down on saturated fats may have lowered their risk of major cardiac events over the next five years, but people at lower risk did not see similar benefits.

Costochondritis, which is inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs and the breastbone, is one of the most common causes of chest pain and is frequently mistaken for a heart attack.

Up to half of all heart attack survivors experience some type of psychological distress, including sadness, worry, or irritability. This problem is known as post-myocardial infarction psychological distress. Cardiac rehabilitation is the best way to get treatment.

Beta blockers have long been standard treatment for people after a heart attack. New evidence suggests they may not help those whose hearts still pump normally, though the drugs remain important for heart attack survivors with reduced ejection fraction.

A 2025 scientific statement from the American Heart Association indicated that women with cardiovascular disease are far less likely than men with the condition to take part in cardiac rehabilitation programs, despite the proven benefits.