Heart Health Archive

Carotid artery stenosis, which happens when fatty plaque accumulates in neck arteries that supply the brain, leaves people vulnerable to a stroke. Intensive drug therapy may forestall the need for invasive procedures to treat this problem.

A one-time infusion of a gene-editing therapy called CTX310 may safely lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, according to a small preliminary trial. The first-in-human study, published in 2025, included 15 people with uncontrolled LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or both.

People with atrial fibrillation (afib) who drank an average of one cup of caffeinated coffee daily had a lower risk of recurrent afib compared to those who avoided caffeine, according to a 2025 study.

For stroke survivors, reaching a very low LDL (bad) cholesterol level may reduce their risk of future strokes and other cardiovascular problems, according to a 2025 study.

Long QT syndrome is a disorder of the heart’s electrical system that can be either acquired (for example, due to a medication) or congenital. Although usually people have no symptoms, it can cause a fast, erratic heartbeat that may lead to shortness of breath, fainting, and sometimes death.

Taking magnesium supplements has become popular in recent years, and some evidence suggests this practice may help lower blood pressure, especially for those with high blood pressure or low magnesium levels. But a healthy diet is a better way for people to ensure they're getting enough of this essential nutrient.

Chronic, low-level inflammation is just as important as cholesterol in causing clogged heart arteries. Cardiologists are calling for more widespread testing for inflammation, which is easily measured with an inexpensive blood test.

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.

The 2025 cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines from the American Heart Association provide recommendations for recognizing and responding to several different types of emergencies, including choking, a suspected opioid overdose, and cardiac arrest.