Heart Health Archive

Social isolation and loneliness are other significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease in older women.

A study based on data from the Women's Health Initiative suggests that a high resting heart rate is an indicator of risk of heart attack in middle-aged women.

No amount of alcohol, including red wine, is good for the heart, according to a policy brief from the World Heart Federation. Drinking, even in moderation, increases the risk for heart-related conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, stroke, cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle), aortic aneurysm (a dangerous bulge in the wall of the aorta), and atrial fibrillation (an irregular heart rhythm). People who drink regularly might benefit from reducing their intake.

Olive oil, when consumed as a regular part of the diet, may help protect against an early death and specifically against deaths related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurogenerative conditions, and respiratory conditions.

The medical world agrees that daily aspirin can help people with cardiovascular disease lower their risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, most people over age 70 without cardiovascular disease should avoid aspirin as a way to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Even if a person has taken aspirin for a long time as primary prevention of heart disease, it's time to talk to your doctor about potentially stopping it.

Cardiac rehabilitation and cardiovascular wellness programs can help people change unhealthy habits, reduce heart attack risk, and boost longevity. They are typically offered in group sessions, and in an outpatient hospital or community setting. Cardiac rehab is intended for people who've had a heart attack, heart bypass surgery, a heart or heart and lung transplant, stenting to open arteries, or valve surgery, as well as those with chronic chest pain (angina) or certain kinds of heart failure. Cardiovascular wellness programs are meant for people who don't qualify for cardiac rehab but want to improve their heart and blood vessel health.

A study published online Feb. 16, 2022, by the European Heart Journal suggests that the prevalence of statin intolerance is much lower than commonly cited. Instead of 50%, the study found that prevalence is 6% to 10%.

High doses of the popular pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol) may raise blood pressure when taken for two weeks.

Someone who has a transient ischemic attack (TIA, or ministroke) needs prompt testing to look for the underlying cause. A 2022 study shows that people can safely get that evaluation at a specialized outpatient clinic rather than having to be admitted to the hospital. The testing usually includes a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram), cardiac monitoring, and imaging tests. The results guide targeted stroke-prevention treatments, which can reduce the risk of a future stroke by as much as 80%.