Heart Health Archive

Vasculitis is characterized by inflammation of the blood vessels, including the arteries, veins, and capillaries. The resulting damage can narrow, weaken, or scar vessels that supply just one body part or many different organs.

A major theme of the 2023 American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care guide is healthy weight loss. The new guidelines also encourage collaboration on meaningful lifestyle changes that help with sleep and health metric targets.

When a person's heart stops beating and they go into cardiac arrest, receiving CPR can double their odds of surviving. And since the majority of cardiac arrests happen at home, knowing the basics of CPR may save the life of a loved one.

A 2022 report predicts higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD)—heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke—over the next three decades. Older adults can lower their CVD risk by managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excess weight. Also, they should follow the big three healthy-heart habits: a plant-based diet, sufficient amount of recommended exercise, and at least seven hours of sleep.

People on blood pressure drugs should take them at whatever time is most convenient for them and minimizes any side effects.

Like heart-pumping aerobic exercise, strength training also may help older adults live longer. But doing both types of exercise may be even more beneficial.

Using recreational drugs—including methamphetamine, opiates, cocaine, or cannabis—may increase a person's risk for atrial fibrillation.

A simple exercise that involves standing up from a chair can help strengthen the muscles in the lower body. Hand placement, which can be on the chair's arms, the thighs, or across on the chest, can make the exercise easier or harder.

A 2022 study found that older adults with sleep apnea who are hospitalized for cardiovascular disease are far less likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days if they consistently treat their apnea with CPAP therapy, which keeps the airway open during sleep.

A 2022 study found that coffee drinkers were less likely to develop irregular heartbeats, cardiovascular disease, heart-related deaths, and deaths from any cause over a 12-year period, compared with people who did not drink coffee.