Heart Health Archive

An Indian-adapted Mediterranean diet includes vegetarian-focused meals flavored with an array of vibrant spices. The fiber-rich meals contain anti-inflammatory compounds that may provide heart-related health benefits. Healthy protein sources include legumes, featured in dishes such as chana masala (chickpeas in a tomato-based sauce) and dal (a soupy stew made from dried split lentils or peas). Tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers appear often in both the Mediterranean diet and the Indian-adapted version, as do leafy greens such as spinach.

A scan called retinal optical coherence tomography angiography, which provides detailed, three-dimensional images of blood vessels in the retina, may help identify people who should be screened for atherosclerosis, according to a 2025 study.

Venous insufficiency can cause swelling in the lower legs and feet, a sense of heaviness in the legs, and in some cases, skin discoloration. Treatments include elevating the legs, walking, and wearing compression stockings.

The 2025 blood pressure guidelines recommend starting drugs to treat hypertension if people don't meet blood pressure goals after three to six months of lifestyle changes. The guidelines also recommend that everyone with high blood pressure be screened for primary aldosteronism, and suggest that people with resistant hypertension (stubbornly high blood pressure) consider renal denervation, a procedure that disrupts some of the nerves around the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys.

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).

Simple, proven strategies to live a longer, healthier life can help people become super-agers, defined as people who reach the age of 70 without any major diseases such as heart disease, cancer, or dementia. These habits include doing strength training to preserve muscle mass, eating a mostly vegetarian diet that provides many healthful nutrients, and prioritizing healthy sleep habits.

Up to half of heart attack survivors experience some form of psychological distress after the event, including depression, anxiety, or stress, according to a 2025 statement from the American Heart Association.

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.

Doctors have long prescribed drugs called beta blockers to all heart attack survivors. These drugs, which slow down the heart and lower blood pressure, include atenolol (Tenormin) and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol). Growing evidence suggests that these drugs offer no meaningful benefit for people whose hearts still pump normally after a heart attack. Sometimes, however, a heart attack leaves the left ventricle (the heart's main pumping chamber) unable to contract effectively. When that's the case, beta blockers are still recommended.