Heart Health Archive

Avocados have a mix of fiber, healthy fat, antioxidants, and key minerals that support heart health. But avocados aren't low-calorie foods. They're best added to the diet by swapping them for something else, such as subbing mashed avocado for butter on toast.

Compression socks are snug, supportive stockings that can help people who struggle with leg swelling or circulation issues. They're commonly used for certain vein problems or clot risks, and a doctor can help decide who needs them and how to use them.

Costochondritis, which is inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs and the breastbone, is one of the most common causes of chest pain and is frequently mistaken for a heart attack.

Many people with atrial fibrillation - a rapid, irregular heart rhythm - need medications to control symptoms and lower their risk of stroke. These include drugs that slow down the heart, help restore its rhythm, and prevent blood clots.

Vasovagal syncope, a common cause of fainting, occurs when the vagus nerve becomes overstimulated in response to triggers such as stress or dehydration. Certain strategies, such as lying down and elevating the legs, help people avoid passing out.

Carotid artery stenosis, which happens when fatty plaque accumulates in neck arteries that supply the brain, leaves people vulnerable to a stroke. Intensive drug therapy may forestall the need for invasive procedures to treat this problem.

People with atrial fibrillation (afib) who drank an average of one cup of caffeinated coffee daily had a lower risk of recurrent afib compared to those who avoided caffeine, according to a 2025 study.

A one-time infusion of a gene-editing therapy called CTX310 may safely lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, according to a small preliminary trial. The first-in-human study, published in 2025, included 15 people with uncontrolled LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or both.

Long QT syndrome is a disorder of the heart's electrical system that can be either acquired (for example, due to a medication) or congenital. Although usually people have no symptoms, it can cause a fast, erratic heartbeat that may lead to shortness of breath, fainting, and sometimes death.