Heart Health Archive

When prescribing hypertension medications, doctors consider many factors, including whether a person has stage 1 or stage 2 hypertension and their other health conditions and lifestyle habits.

Tai chi exercises combine slow, flowing movements with deep breathing and guided imagery. The practice can help promote relaxation and reduce the harmful effects of stress, which include high blood pressure and related cardiovascular problems.

Tofu and other foods made from soybeans are among the best plant-based sources of protein. They are also rich in other nutrients that benefit heart health, such as fiber, healthy fat, and minerals like potassium and magnesium.

Three types of exercise (aerobic, a combination of aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise, and high-intensity interval training) may be most effective for lowering blood pressure in adults with hypertension, according to a 2026 review article.

Insomnia is linked to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (afib), a heart rhythm disorder, according to a 2026 study. Insufficient sleep may trigger physiological and hormonal changes that may leave people more susceptible to afib.

Heart failure (when the heart can’t pump or fill with blood effectively) stems from a range of conditions that weaken or stiffen the heart. Heart failure is described and classified by what part of the heart is affected and the severity of symptoms.

A blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) that is discovered by chance on an imaging test and causes no symptoms can be safely treated at home with anti-clotting drugs, according to guidelines published in 2026.

A 2025 study found that morning coffee drinkers faced lower odds of dying from cardiovascular disease-or any cause-over a 10-year period compared with people who drank coffee all day or people who didn't drink coffee at all.

People who aggressively lower their high blood pressure not only help their heart health, but also may protect their brains from cognitive decline in the process, according to a 2025 study.

People who follow a healthy lifestyle can still have the early stages of coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease. There are many ways people can find out if they have CAD. This includes paying attention to whether exercise causes discomfort, doing a 10-year heart risk assessment, and seeing their doctor for diagnostic testing, such as a coronary artery calcium scan, a resting electrocardiogram, a walking stress test, or an echocardiogram. A doctor uses this information to determine the best treatment path.