Heart Health Archive

Are you sabotaging your heart health without realizing it?

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As many as one in seven people being treated for high blood pressure doesn't have the condition under control, according to a recent scientific statement from the American Heart Association. The problem — known as resistant hypertension — is defined as having high blood pressure despite taking three or more blood pressure medications, including a diuretic.

For most people, high blood pressure means a reading of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher. Staying below that threshold can dramatically lower a person's odds of having a stroke or heart attack. That's why it's so important to address the barriers that prevent people from reaching their blood pressure targets, says Dr. Randall Zusman, a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

They can help you stay flexible and active enough to keep your heart in good shape.

It's no secret that as you age, your body becomes less flexible. Your muscles aren't quite as supple and your joints are little stiffer than when you were younger. As a result, getting regular, heart-protecting exercise may be more challenging.

That's why stretching — the deliberate lengthening of muscles to increase flexibility and range of motion — can be especially helpful after middle age. Yet many people are confused about the different stretching techniques and the best time to do them, says sports medicine physician Dr. Adam Tenforde, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.

Here's what to expect once you're home from the hospital.

Every day, thousands of people in the United States undergo open-heart surgery. This major operation leaves them with a long chest incision — and a lengthy recovery. The time it takes to fully heal will depend on the person's age and overall health and the complexity of the operation.

The most common is coronary artery bypass grafting, which uses a blood vessel taken from another part of the body to bypass a blocked heart artery. Open-heart surgery is also done to repair or replace a faulty heart valve or to repair damaged or abnormal areas of the heart.

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Editor's note: This year, we're highlighting legumes on this page. Low in fat but rich in protein and other nutrients, they're a staple of plant-based eating. Starting in February, we'll feature a different legume each month, along with information and recipe tips from different cultures around the world.

But we're starting off with the basics: a simple recipe for cooking dried beans.

Research we're watching

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People whose daily diets include at least two servings per day of milk, yogurt, or cheese appear to have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, or death than people who don't consume dairy products.

The findings, published Sept. 11, 2018, in The Lancet, were based on food questionnaires from more than 136,000 people from 21 countries. After a follow-up that lasted an average of nine years, researchers found that adults who consumed two or more servings of dairy each day had a 22% lower risk for heart disease, a 34% lower risk for stroke, and a 23% lower risk of heart-related death. Observational studies such as this one cannot prove cause and effect. But dairy-based foods contain vitamins D and K, calcium, and other nutrients thought to be good for cardiovascular health. The findings support the benefits of all types of dairy, including full-fat versions. However, current guidelines still recommend nonfat or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese, which contain fewer calories and less saturated fat.

Research we're watching

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Electronic cigarettes, which are battery-operated devices that create a nicotine-filled vapor, are often touted as a less-risky alternative to conventional cigarettes. But daily e-cigarette use may nearly double a person's risk of a heart attack, according to a study in the October 2018 American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The data came from nearly 70,000 people who took part in two National Health Interview Surveys. Compared with nonsmokers, people who smoked regular cigarettes daily nearly tripled their heart attack risk, compared with a nearly doubled risk among people who used only e-cigarettes. However, about two-thirds of current e-cigarette users also smoked regular cigarettes. Using both products daily was linked to a nearly fivefold increase in heart attack risk.

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Research we're watching

As some people age, the valve leading to the heart's largest vessel (aorta) can become clogged with calcium deposits, causing the valve to stiffen and narrow. A study in the Oct. 3, 2018, JAMA Cardiology looked at strategies for treating the condition, known as aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis — which generally causes no symptoms for many years — is usually detected during a routine check-up. Doctors usually recommend replacing the aortic valve soon after symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting occur, as these can foretell sudden cardiac death. However, the best strategy for people who have severe aortic stenosis but no symptoms is less clear.

A stent can save your life during a heart attack, but can it help prevent one?

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An estimated two million people get coronary artery stents every year, and if you have coronary artery disease, there is a good chance your doctor will suggest you get one.

But do you really need it? In 2013, the American Medical Association issued a report that said stents were one of the most highly overused medical interventions.

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In the journals

People with atrial fibrillation, or afib, a type of irregular heartbeat that is linked with stroke, also may have a greater risk of dementia than those without the condition, according to a study published online Oct. 10, 2018, by Neurology.

Researchers recorded medical data from 2,685 people, average age 73. None of them had dementia and 243 had afib. After nine years, another 279 people developed afib. The researchers found that people with afib showed a faster rate of decline in thinking and memory skills than those without the condition, and were 40% more likely to develop dementia.

Moderate workouts on most days of the week may be enough for heart-healing benefits.

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Good news: If you've spent most of your life as a competitive master athlete who trains more than six days a week (in addition to competitions) your heart probably looks and performs like one that is much younger than its chronological age.

Doesn't sound like you? Don't worry, there's also some good news for the rest of us. Even if you've spent more time hanging out than working out over the past few decades, starting an exercise program in middle age might earn you a younger-looking heart too.