Heart Health Archive

A 2023 study suggests that a "weekend warrior" exercise pattern, in which people concentrate their exercise into one or two days weekly, can lower cardiovascular risks as effectively as a pattern of spreading exercise out over the week.

Men who report specific types of job-related stress face a higher risk of heart disease than those without such stress, according to a 2023 study.

Thousands of miles of veins throughout the body bring blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen and nutrients, and get rid of carbon dioxide before returning to the heart to be pumped out again. How do veins work, what problems can occur, and how can you keep these vital blood vessels healthy?

A heart-healthy dietary pattern emphasizes minimally processed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans. Learn how you can adopt a heart-healthy eating style to boost your cardiovascular health.

About one in 500 people has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition that causes the walls of the heart to thicken and enlarge. It's often caused by genetic mutations and is the most common inherited form of heart disease. Contrary to popular belief, vigorous exercise appears to be safe for most people with HCM. For people with symptoms, several treatments are available, including mavacamten (Camzyos), a first-in-class medication that targets the underlying cause of HCM by inhibiting a protein that helps power heart muscle contractions.

Too much saturated fat tends to raise levels of harmful LDL cholesterol, but limited amounts are not a problem. Eating mostly whole or minimally processed foods can help achieve that goal.

As many as 60% of heart attacks go unnoticed when they occur. So-called silent heart attacks occur for a variety of reasons, including differences in pain perception and people not recognizing symptoms or dismissing them. People may assume heart attack symptoms are limited to the chest, but nerves in the heart can send signals to the surrounding nerves, causing pain that radiates to the stomach, back, neck, arm, or jaw. Sometimes people assume their chest pain is caused by a respiratory infection or heartburn when they're actually having a heart attack.

Loneliness represents an underappreciated health crisis in the United States and is linked to a 29% higher risk of heart attack and a 32% higher risk of stroke. The underlying mechanism is thought to be similar to what happens when people feel depressed or stressed. Reconnecting with old friends can help short up social skills. To find new friends, people might look online or at their local library for classes, in-person clubs, or volunteer opportunities that match their interests.

Many tests and data can help people gauge their overall health, but when it comes to heart health, the most important are the "Big 3": blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. They can help predict cardiovascular disease risks, including heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. While standard guidelines from health organizations recommend what are considered healthy numbers for the Big 3, ideal numbers may differ depending on a person's health and other risk factors, and individuals should work with their doctor about which numbers to aim for.