Peripheral artery disease Archive

A heart disease diagnosis may trigger a bout of depression. But having depression can also leave people more vulnerable to heart disease. Some of the overlap stems from shared lifestyle factors, such as inactivity and an unhealthy diet. In addition to addressing those issues, other safe and effective ways to ease depression include working with a therapist, using a light box, and taking medications.

After common heart procedures or surgeries, medications to help prevent heart attacks and strokes are essential. These include a combination of drugs to prevent blood clots (which is known as dual antiplatelet therapy and usually taken for just one year); drugs to lower LDL cholesterol down to 70 milligrams per deciliter or lower; and drugs to keep blood pressure and blood sugar in a healthy range.

Getting vaccinated against influenza (flu), COVID-19, and pneumonia is especially important for people who have cardiovascular disease. The coughing and congestion that commonly occur with respiratory infections can make breathing more difficult, and the potential drop in oxygen puts added stress on the heart. Serious infections sometimes trigger sepsis, which happens when the immune system is overwhelmed or goes into overdrive, causing symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, very fast breathing, and low blood pressure. These complications can lead to a heart attack.

Meatless burgers-which include plant-based meat alternatives like Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger and veggie burgers-are healthy replacements for traditional hamburgers. Those with the lowest amounts of saturated fat and sodium are the best options.

Wearable fitness trackers like smart watches offer measurable and motivating data for exercise routines and safety, especially for people with heart conditions. Features include movement reminders, step counts (a daily total of 4,000 to 7,000 steps is considered beneficial), heart rate zones for exercise intensity, and measurements of heart rate recovery and variability to assess overall heart health. These tools can help optimize workouts and reveal potential issues.

Ultraprocessed packaged foods and drinks contain thickeners, preservatives, and other additives to improve their taste, texture, appearance, and shelf life. But the high amounts of salt, sugar, and fat in these products are probably more concerning for a person's health. Foods like sugary drinks and processed meats are the worst culprits. Eating a diet focused on whole, plant-based foods automatically lowers processed food intake and provides heart-protecting nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

A 2025 study finds that a first-time transient ischemic attack (TIA) can lead to the same long-term decline in thinking and memory problems as a full-blown stroke. Experts suggest cognitive testing after a TIA. People who have TIAs should take extra care to address risk factors for heart attack and stroke, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Exercising regularly and staying socially active may help ward off cognitive decline.

Getting a sufficient amount of sleep is vital for heart health, but sleep continuity, timing, and regularity may also be important. Irregularities in these lesser-known dimensions of sleep health are not considered problems unless they impair a person's ability to function and quality of life. But emerging evidence suggest these sleep issues may affect cardiometabolic health. A sleep diary can help uncover potential issues.

In a 2025 study of more than 420,000 participants followed for about 13 years, people who walked at a steady or brisk pace had up to a 43% lower risk for developing heart arrhythmias, compared with those who walked at a slow pace.

A 2025 randomized controlled trial found that GLP-1 receptor agonists, the blockbuster drugs approved to treat diabetes and obesity, boosted the walking ability of people with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the legs. The news is encouraging, since there are few effective treatments for PAD-reduced blood flow in the limbs that leads to pain with activity. However, it will take more evidence before doctors feel comfortable prescribing GLP-1s if a person only has PAD.