Heart Health Archive

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 analysis suggests that far fewer people are considered candidates for low-dose aspirin to prevent heart disease with the updated PREVENT risk calculator compared with the older risk calculator.

Reclining and lying down may be linked to worse cardiovascular health while short bouts of sitting or standing may reduce cardiovascular risk, according to a 2025 study.

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.

Social media posts tend to exaggerate side effects (such as muscle aches and memory problems) associated with statins and may spread invalid information about these drugs. This misinformation is a major threat to public health, according to a 2025 article.

Performed during an echocardiogram, a bubble study involves injecting a small amount of fluid filled with tiny bubbles into an arm vein. It can reveal the path of blood flow through the heart and provide clues about the cause of an unexpected stroke.

Population-based studies have linked regular sauna use with better heart health. The high temperature inside a sauna-which usually ranges from about 150° F to 195° F-causes blood vessels to dilate, raising the heart rate and increasing blood flow throughout the body. However, randomized trials haven't found much evidence that saunas can improve measures of cardiovascular health. People with low blood pressure, valve disease, and heart failure should be cautious while using saunas.

Visual art in paintings, medical illustrations, and modern digital tools has influenced how people understand the human heart. The bridging of art and the heart dates back to Leonardo da Vinci, whose drawings laid the groundwork for modern cardiology. Today, the intersection of art and the heart may also contribute to healing through advocacy (such as art in public health campaigns), education (such as interactive animations to help people understand the heart), and innovation (such as three-dimensional models to illustrate procedures).

A 2025 study found that using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap tiny particle pollutants may help lower blood pressure for people living near busy roads. Of particular concern are particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter, known as PM_2.5, which creates inflammation that damages blood vessels and contributes to high blood pressure. Nearly a quarter of Americans live near vehicle-congested roads, and many more people are exposed to pollution from wildfire smoke.

A 2025 study found that a high intake of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) was linked to a lower risk of heart-related problems, while intake of common olive oil was not. Higher levels of beneficial polyphenols in EVOO may explain the difference.