Heart Health Archive

Many devices that measure blood pressure without an inflatable arm cuff are in development, including a wristband recently cleared by the FDA for over-the-counter sale. It relies on a light-based sensor to detect changes in the amount of blood flowing through the vessels of the inner wrist, a technique known as photoplethysmography. But the devices have to be periodically calibrated, and as yet, there are no standards to validate the accuracy of cuffless devices.

A 2025 review found the people who walked 7,000 steps per day had a 25% lower of cardiovascular disease and a 47% lower risk of death from all causes compared to people who walked only 2,000 steps per day.

Everyone should learn what to do if a heart attack or stroke occurs, beyond calling 911. It helps to become familiar with heart attack and stroke symptoms, so they can be recognized. It’s also important to speak with one’s own doctor in advance, to find out if he or she advises taking an aspirin in one of those emergencies. Other precautions include keeping emergency contact and medication lists updated and handy, and talking about emergency plans with family and friends, especially one’s health care proxy.

For some people with atrial fibrillation, cold drinks and foods can trigger a bout of the rapid, irregular heartbeat that characterizes the disorder. Avoiding those triggers nearly always prevents this phenomenon, dubbed “cold drink heart.”

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.

Hospital discharge instructions about medications can be complicated and confusing. Having a family member or friend along as a second set of ears during the discharge meeting can be helpful.

Imaging tests such as chest CT scans and mammograms, which can detect calcium deposits in arteries, can provide information about a person’s cardiovascular health. These so-called incidental findings—when a medical test discovers something unrelated to the original purpose of the test—have become increasingly common in recent years. With a chest CT, calcifications are grouped into four categories: none, mild, moderate, or severe. That’s often enough for a cardiologist to make a solid decision about whether to maintain or intensify a person’s drug treatment to prevent heart disease progression.

A 2025 analysis of randomized trials found that cardiac rehab—a personalized program of supervised exercise and healthy lifestyle coaching—can also help people with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that can cause stroke and heart failure.

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.