Heart Health Archive

Many people with atrial fibrillation — a rapid, irregular heart rhythm — need medications to control symptoms and lower their risk of stroke. These include drugs that slow down the heart, help restore its rhythm, and prevent blood clots.

ApoB is a protein that attaches to harmful fat particles in the blood to form lipoproteins, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL). An apolipoprotein B (apoB) test counts the number of LDL particles in the bloodstream as well as other particles that can contribute to clogged arteries and heart attacks.

Avocados have a mix of fiber, healthy fat, antioxidants, and key minerals that support heart health. But avocados aren’t low-calorie foods. They’re best added to the diet by swapping them for something else, such as subbing mashed avocado for butter on toast.

There are many ways people can meet the guidelines for weekly activity besides running and walking. They can do activities like boxing, swimming, cycling, basketball, dancing, and pickleball; circuit training using gym machines; and exercising at home.

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 2025 study suggests that polyphenols, found in a wide range of plant foods, may have long-term benefits for the heart. Over an average of 11 years, people whose diets contained the most polyphenol-rich foods ranked lowest on scores of heart disease risk.

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.

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.

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.