Heart Health Archive

Coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease, occurs when cholesterol-laden debris narrows the arteries that supply blood to the heart. It is treated with lifestyle changes and medications. However, sometimes people also need a procedure called angioplasty to open a blocked or narrowed artery to improve blood flow to the heart, along with insertion of a stent to hold it open. Most people need this if they experience a heart attack or unstable angina, when chest discomfort occurs repeatedly and unexpectedly, often at rest.

Obesity is a common, chronic disease that can harm the heart. The powerful weight-loss medications known as GLP-1s, semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), are now recommended as first-line therapy for eligible people, according to the American College of Cardiology. People using these drugs should work with a dietitian or nutritionist who can help them create a personalized eating plan that ensures they’re getting enough nutrients while minimizing common side effects.

After common heart procedures or surgeries, medications to help prevent heart attacks and strokes are essential. These include a combination of drugs to prevent blood clots (which is known as dual antiplatelet therapy and usually taken for just one year); drugs to lower LDL cholesterol down to 70 milligrams per deciliter or lower; and drugs to keep blood pressure and blood sugar in a healthy range.

Growing numbers of people have microvascular disease, which is caused by problems in the network of tiny blood vessels in the heart rather than blockages in the heart’s major arteries. Evidence for this trend comes from large studies using diagnostic imaging tests coupled with heart disease registry data. Experts believe today’s higher rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic kidney disease is changing how cardiovascular disease is manifested.

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.

Getting vaccinated against influenza (flu), COVID-19, and pneumonia is especially important for people who have cardiovascular disease. The coughing and congestion that commonly occur with respiratory infections can make breathing more difficult, and the potential drop in oxygen puts added stress on the heart. Serious infections sometimes trigger sepsis, which happens when the immune system is overwhelmed or goes into overdrive, causing symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, very fast breathing, and low blood pressure. These complications can lead to a heart attack.

According to a 2025 study, people living near coastlines with high levels of marine microplastics had higher rates of heart disease than those living close to coastlines with less plastic pollution.

In a 2025 analysis involving about 200 million people, those who used cannabis had a 29% higher risk for sudden heart attacks or angina and twice the risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease, compared with people who didn’t use cannabis.

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.

There are no medications to treat aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve), but several possibilities are currently being studied, including a class of drugs to treat diabetes and others that lower high lipoprotein(a) blood levels.