Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “heart attack and stroke”
You may have heard about inflammation from your doctor or read about it on the Internet. There are 2 kinds: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is part of the normal healing process. It causes the redness, warmth, swelling, and pain you feel when you cut yourself or get a splinter. But when inflammation sticks around for a while, it can …
The risks might be greater than the benefits. But talk to your doctor before you make a change. Many people take a low-dose aspirin (75-100 mg) every day to protect their heart. But new guidelines may be changing this common practice. The US Preventive Service Task Force makes recommendations to doctors for patient care. Recently it warned that aspirin may …
To get rid of unwanted pounds, some people try fasting—not eating at all or eating less than usual for a set period of time. But a new method of fasting may help you lose weight and boost your health in many other ways. It’s called intermittent fasting. It means eating little or nothing on certain days of the week or …
Quick: What is your BMI? Even if you don’t know your score on this important health measure, you may know that it has something to do with your weight. BMI stands for Body Mass Index, and it is a ratio of a person’s weight to their height. Calculate yours here. Depending on your score, you will fall into 1 of …
If you’re looking after your health, it’s important to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. But, as you probably know, some of these foods are better for you than others. Potatoes are fine to eat in moderation, for instance. But cucumbers, spinach, and broccoli are better bets when you want to fill up. One reason for this is that these …
You’ve probably heard that drinking small amounts of wine, beer, and other types of alcohol shouldn’t harm your heart—and it might even help it. But the data are starting to get more complicated. Doctors generally advise that men should drink no more than 2 drinks a day and women no more than 1 drink a day to stay healthy. (A …
Eat to Protect Your Heart from Inflammation and Reduce Stroke Risk You may know that certain foods can raise cholesterol levels and blood pressure and add inches to your waistline. All of these effects can harm your heart. But foods can have another important effect. They can also trigger or reduce the inflammation in your body, which has a huge …
When you are diagnosed with cancer, heart disease is the last thing on your mind. But there’s a growing awareness of a link between cancer and heart problems. Recent research in Nature Communications that looked at more than 7 million cancer survivors showed that the risk of death from heart disease among cancer patients is 2 times greater than that …
If you’re getting close to menopause, you’re probably not looking forward to annoying symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. But you may not realize that there’s a bigger health concern: a higher risk for heart disease. Doctors have known for a while that the risk for heart attacks and strokes in women after menopause is greater than for women …
You may know that drinking sugar-sweetened drinks isn’t the wisest health move. Sodas, coffee or tea with sugar, lemonade, sports drinks, and fruit punch aren’t just bad for your waistline. Consuming a lot of these beverages increases your risk for heart attacks and stroke. But you might be surprised to know that diet drinks—those that contain artificial sweeteners—aren’t much better …
With the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors are more concerned than ever that patients get their annual flu shot. The flu vaccine is very important this year, because getting the flu could make it easier to catch COVID-19. And if you have to be admitted to the hospital with the flu, you could be exposed to the virus. Having COVID-19 and the …
More and more, researchers are finding that pregnancy health and related factors in young women are connected to the future heart health of older women. The latest review of 32 studies is the most powerful evidence yet. It is called an “umbrella study,” because it combines the results of many other review studies. Umbrella studies are considered among the highest …
If you enjoy soaking in a tub, you might be getting more than a big dose of relaxation. Studies show that this soothing activity may improve your heart health. That’s something to consider as the weather begins to turn chilly! High temperatures cause the blood vessels to dilate—and that lowers blood pressure. Plus a warm bath can help to lower …
The COVID-19 isn’t just harming those who get this dangerous infection; even those who don’t get infected may still be getting sick because of it. The latest research suggests that deadly heart attacks are one of the health risks affected by the pandemic. In a new study from JAMA Cardiology, researchers looked at more than 14,700 patients in several states …
Doctors have known for a long time that getting too little sleep and disrupted sleep are bad for the heart. But they are still figuring out why. A new study in the journal, PLOS, has some hints. Researchers looked at the sleep patterns of more than 1600 people after spending the night in a sleep lab and having other sleep …
Since COVID-19 started spreading around the world earlier this year, doctors have realized that it is especially dangerous for people with heart problems and risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure. COVID-19 mostly affects the lungs, but when the lungs don’t work well, it puts a strain on the heart. If you already have a heart condition, high …
Advice for having a healthy heart—exercise, stop smoking, lose weight—may sound difficult. But there are a few simpler ways to boost your heart health, too. Several recent heart studies highlight new steps to take to reduce your risk for heart attacks and strokes. Here are a few that can set you on your way toward a healthy heart! Filter your …
Saying thanks to a friend or family member is sure to make their day. But this act of gratitude has benefits for you, too—including a boost in your heart health. Research from the University of California in San Diego is part of the evidence. Scientists there studied a group of 185 people with a condition called asymptomatic heart failure. People …
Stay Connected—and Keep Your Heart Healthy Too! Being alone a lot may not just make you lonely or sad. It might also put you at a greater risk for heart problems. This could have serious consequences as more people stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus across the country. Previous studies showed that people who were socially isolated …
You probably know a few ways to prevent problems like strokes and heart attacks. These include things like eating a heart-friendly diet, walking or being physically active regularly, and not smoking. Now there’s a surprising new way to avoid heart attacks and strokes—the shingles vaccine. Shingles results from the same virus (herpes zoster) that gave you chicken pox as a …
We all know how great our pet dogs and cats make us feel. They become full-fledged members of our families. But a number of studies suggest that our furry friends also help our hearts in many ways. For starters, they help get us off the couch. If you have a dog, you probably walk it. It turns out that research …
Heart disease is the top killer of men and women, but it affects men and women differently. It’s important to understand the differences to protect the hearts and lives of women and help them get the best care. For Heart Month, we look at some of the differences between men and women. In the past, experts used to think women’s …
Feeling burned out, cranky, and tired all the time isn’t just an awful way to live. It might also be bad for your heart. A new study found that being burned out increases the risk for a common heart rhythm problem, called atrial fibrillation, or A-fib. With A-fib there is a glitch in the heart’s electrical system that makes the …
You may have heard that drinking alcoholic beverages like red wine can help your heart. That may be true, but it all depends on how much you drink. More and more research shows that heavy drinking is harmful for your heart. Studies have linked it to risks like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and abnormal heart rhythms or beats. …
You probably knew that being in a noisy place can increase your risk of hearing loss over time. But did you know that too much noise can also boost your risk for heart attacks, strokes, chest pain, and heart failure? A 2014 study of 5223 people, ages 20-69, found that people with hearing loss in both ears due to being …
Confused if you should be taking a fish oil supplement? That’s not surprising. Sometimes headlines say the omega-3 fatty acids in them can lower heart risks. Others say the opposite. But the data in favor of fish oil has been growing. Two recent studies show a strong benefit – especially if you don’t like or can’t eat fish itself. The …
To keep your heart healthy, you’ve probably heard it’s good to eat only small amounts of saturated fats like butter and full-fat dairy as well as carbs like white bread and starchy vegetables. But one food ingredient doesn’t get enough attention when it comes to heart health: sugar. More and more research shows that the sweet stuff can be rough …
Everyone knows a walk in the park or the woods is good for the soul. But did you know it might also be good for your heart? More and more research shows that spending time in green spaces boosts heart health. In a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association in 2018, researchers found that people who lived …
You probably know that diet and exercise are important for your heart health. But did you know that the way you think about life also makes a difference? It’s true. A growing number of studies show that people who are optimistic (think in positive, hopeful ways, such as seeing a glass half full instead of half empty) have better heart …
Improving your heart health usually means cutting things out of your diet. That can leave you feeling deprived. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A new study found that adding more of specific types of food into your diet may lead to better heart health. The secret is focusing on substances called flavonoids, which are found in certain …
It’s not fun dealing with the aches and pains of arthritis. This “wear and tear” on joints like the hips and the knees often comes with aging. But people who have this type of joint pain may now have a new concern—a higher risk of dying from heart disease. A new study tracked the health of 469,177 people ages 45 …
You’ve probably heard that whole foods are better for you than processed foods. Processed foods, made in a factory, are easy to grab while you are on-the-go and often very tasty. They’re also hard to avoid if you live a busy life. Most foods that come in a bag or a box are processed. Not all processed foods are bad. …
Can Summer Heat Raise Your Risk of Heart Attack? Summer is the time to go to the beach, tend the garden, or have a picnic in the park. But the hot weather this time of year has a downside. If you aren’t careful, it could set you up for a heart attack or stroke. That’s especially important if you already …
Can Antibiotics Increase Your Heart Attack Risk? You may have heard that taking too many antibiotics can make them less helpful. This happens because bacteria become resistant to these medications over time. Sometimes, antibiotics may not work at all when you really need them and this can be quite dangerous. But there’s a new reason to be careful about taking …
You might have heard that people who are depressed are more likely to have heart disease. People who have heart disease are also more likely to get the blues. Having both heart disease and depression is worse for your health than just having heart disease. A 2017 study found that people diagnosed with depression after they’d had a heart attack …
Here’s some good news about heart disease, the number one killer of Americans: the rate of heart attacks and strokes is dropping and has been for decades. That means you are less likely to develop these problems than in the past. But there’s bad news, too: heart attacks are striking more young people, particularly younger women. New research shows that …
When it comes to heart attack risk factors, you probably know that high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol put you in the danger zone. But these triggers may surprise you: A hot temper If you have a problem with anger, it could raise your risk for heart attacks. One study found that after an angry outburst, people had an …
A healthy diet is the first step toward a healthier heart. Eating lots of vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, healthy fats like olive oil, and lean protein like fish and chicken, can’t be beat for preventing heart attacks and strokes. But how you prepare these foods also makes a big difference. A variety of herbs have been shown to give …
Heart-healthy diets include plenty of vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-grain bread and pasta. One thing these foods have in common is fiber. Fiber is good for your body in many ways and especially good for your heart. The results of a large review study just released by the World Health Organization (WHO) are …
The rich foods and sweet treats of the holidays can make it hard to keep a heart-healthy diet. But one small change in your eating habits could help: eating the day’s larger meals in the middle of the day. You probably know that what you eat and how much you eat is very important to your heart and your health. …
Energy drinks are popular with people who want a power boost, including children and athletes. But these drinks, which contain caffeine, sugar, herbs, and other ingredients, may do more harm than good. A recent study from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston found that having just one energy drink had a bad effect on the flow of …
It’s hard to imagine, but your gut—your stomach and intestines—are home to trillions of germs. That might sound bad, but the germs in your gut can actually keep you and your heart healthy. There are both “good” and “bad” germs in the guts of healthy people. The good ones can release helpful substances from foods and control the bad ones, …
You might be enjoying the cooler air as the seasons change. But winter weather has a downside: It can raise your risk for heart problems. A new study in the journal JAMA Cardiology found that there’s a big jump in heart attacks when the forecast includes cold temperatures, a strong wind, low sunlight, and low pressure in the atmosphere. They …
Heart disease is called a silent killer because you often don’t know it’s there until you have a heart attack or stroke. But there can be clues, if you know where to look. Here are 10 surprising signals that you may be at risk for heart problems. Sore or Bleeding Gums Bad dental health can lead to bleeding gums, which …
For many years, the number of people dying from heart disease has decreased. But now that trend is starting to slow down. In 2016, more than 415,000 people died from a heart problem that could have been prevented. This unexpected number comes from a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The organization is trying to …
From time to time, everyone feels down, worried, or nervous. But when feelings of mental suffering last a long time or are out of control, it may lead to heart problems. A new study from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland found this out when researchers looked at the connection between upsetting feelings and heart attacks and strokes in more …
For decades, millions of Americans have been advised to take low dose aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks and strokes. But new research is raising questions about this common practice. It’s not that aspirin doesn’t work to keep the heart healthy. It does. It’s just that the dose your doctor wants you to take may need to change in order …
Smokers sometimes turn to e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking. But according to new research from Boston University School of Medicine, they may be trading one health harm for another. The study looked at the effects of nine flavorings common in e-cigarettes and other tobacco products on a type of cell that lines the walls of blood vessels, including the …
Vitamin D plays many important roles in the body—from strengthening your bones to boosting your immune system to help keep you healthy. Research also shows it keeps your heart and blood vessels in good working condition. Here are a few of the ways the so-called “sunshine vitamin” keeps the heart strong and healthy: Preventing stroke A new report from Italy …
There are many parts of a heart-healthy diet—including one that keeps the heart and blood vessels in good shape and keeps blood flowing well to every part of the body. But some foods are especially good at lowering the chance of having a heart attack, stroke, or other heart problem. Keep reading to learn what you should put in your …
