Heart Health Archive

A heart disease diagnosis may trigger a bout of depression. But having depression can also leave people more vulnerable to heart disease. Some of the overlap stems from shared lifestyle factors, such as inactivity and an unhealthy diet. In addition to addressing those issues, other safe and effective ways to ease depression include working with a therapist, using a light box, and taking medications.

An inexpensive blood test that checks for a genetic variant of Lp(a)-a fatty particle similar to LDL cholesterol-may help clarify who might benefit from a daily low-dose aspirin, according to a 2025 review of study findings.

A 2025 study found that people who walk at an average or brisk pace (3 or more miles per hour) were less likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms than people who walk more slowly.

A 2025 suggests that an experimental drug called lorundrostat may be an effective add-on therapy for high blood pressure that has not responded to medication. The drug works by reducing aldosterone, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure.

Lowering high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, is important for preventing and treating heart disease. The other cholesterol-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-is often called "good" cholesterol, but this may be misleading. While some HDL particles gather excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and artery walls and deliver it to the liver where it's excreted, other particles are not good at this job, and some can even increase levels. People should focus on their LDL and not focus as much on HDL unless it's very low or very high.

If a blood clot lodges in an artery or vein, it can choke off blood flow to the heart, brain, or lung. Often called blood thinners, anti-clotting drugs play a big role in treating heart disease. But they can cause minor (and sometimes serious) bleeding, ranging from nosebleeds to bleeding inside the brain. New solutions to balance clot prevention and excess bleeding are in the works, including low-dose drug combinations and new medications.

A 2025 randomized controlled trial found that GLP-1 receptor agonists, the blockbuster drugs approved to treat diabetes and obesity, boosted the walking ability of people with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the legs. The news is encouraging, since there are few effective treatments for PAD-reduced blood flow in the limbs that leads to pain with activity. However, it will take more evidence before doctors feel comfortable prescribing GLP-1s if a person only has PAD.

Ultraprocessed packaged foods and drinks contain thickeners, preservatives, and other additives to improve their taste, texture, appearance, and shelf life. But the high amounts of salt, sugar, and fat in these products are probably more concerning for a person's health. Foods like sugary drinks and processed meats are the worst culprits. Eating a diet focused on whole, plant-based foods automatically lowers processed food intake and provides heart-protecting nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

In a 2025 study of more than 420,000 participants followed for about 13 years, people who walked at a steady or brisk pace had up to a 43% lower risk for developing heart arrhythmias, compared with those who walked at a slow pace.

Meatless burgers-which include plant-based meat alternatives like Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger and veggie burgers-are healthy replacements for traditional hamburgers. Those with the lowest amounts of saturated fat and sodium are the best options.