Heart Disease Archive

Higher exposure to light at night between 12:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular problems including coronary artery disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, and heart failure.

A scan called retinal optical coherence tomography angiography, which provides detailed, three-dimensional images of blood vessels in the retina, may help identify people who should be screened for atherosclerosis, according to a 2025 study.

According to a 2025 study, women who walked at least 4,000 steps per day once or twice a week had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and early death compared with women who did not reach this threshold.

Culinary salts such as Himalayan pink salt, kosher salt, fleur de sel, and flaky sea salt can lend a delightful crunch or flavor to foods. However, they consist largely of sodium chloride, just like table salt, and are no healthier. Consuming too much sodium is tied to increased risks for damage to the heart, kidneys, and brain. Dietitians advise using only a small pinch of a fancy salt, perhaps as a garnish or condiment, to satisfy taste buds without going overboard with the salt shaker.

A 2025 study suggested that women with diabetes are nearly twice as likely as men to have hidden heart disease. These women might especially benefit from early screening for problems in the small blood vessels of the heart.

A 2025 study identified poor sleep along with high blood pressure, nicotine use, and high blood sugar levels as particularly important factors increasing the long-term risk of heart problems for women in midlife.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of the tiny fluctuations in timing from one heartbeat to the next. Higher values are linked to better fitness levels and stress resilience.

A free online tool that estimates your heart's age suggests that most adults have a heart that is older than their chronological age, according to a 2025 study.

A 2025 study finds that smoking and high blood pressure are the two most important factors driving heart disease risk. Together with high cholesterol, excess weight (or being underweight), and diabetes, these five factors account for about 50% of the burden of cardiovascular disease. Compared to people with all five risk factors at age 50, those who had none of the factors were far less likely to develop cardiovascular disease or die early. On average, women with none of the risks at midlife lived 13 more years without heart disease, while men lived an additional 11 years.