Heart Health Archive

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.

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).

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.

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.

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. All of these so-called atherogenic particles carry a single apoB molecule but varying amounts of cholesterol. ApoB values are more closely linked to heart disease risk than LDL cholesterol. People with signs of an unhealthy metabolism-such as prediabetes, a big belly, or elevated triglycerides-are far more likely to have a high apoB.

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.

Many people with atrial fibrillation (afib) - a rapid, irregular heart rhythm - need to control symptoms, such as the feeling that the heart is racing or fluttering. Medication options include drugs that slow down the heart or help restore its rhythm. Because afib can also increase the risk of blood clots that can lead to a stroke, many of these people also need to take clot-preventing medications.

A 2025 study suggests that more than 99% of people who have a first-time heart attack, stroke, or heart failure have at least one of four risk factors: unhealthy blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels, or past or present smoking.

Insufficient sleep triggers a long list of physiological and hormonal changes that contribute to heart disease. For example, a lack of sleep can cause increases in blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, and weight. Doctors recommend getting at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. Strategies that promote better sleep include going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, creating a healthy sleep environment, and turning off electronics an hour before bedtime.