Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “lifestyle habits”
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 …
Doctors have known that having type 2 diabetes raises the odds for developing dementia. Now, new research suggests that the age at which your diabetes is diagnosed makes a difference in your risk. The longer you have diabetes, the greater your chances of having problems with thinking skills and memory down the road. That’s worrying because the average age of …
If you have diabetes, you probably know that you have a higher risk for heart problems. But you may not know that you have a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes if you have prediabetes—a condition where your blood sugar is high but not high enough to be diabetes. A new study, presented at an American College of Cardiology …
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 …
If you have high blood pressure, you may be familiar with the DASH diet. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This plant-based eating pattern was designed to bring down harmful blood pressure levels and it is very effective. Research has shown that the DASH diet greatly lowers blood pressure, compared to the typical American diet, even when the …
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 …
Spring is still a few weeks away. But you don’t have to wait until then to go green—at least when it comes to your heart. For starters, there’s good news about the benefits of green tea. A growing volume of data ties this tasty brew to better heart health. In the most recent research—published in the journal, Stroke—people who had …
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 …
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 …
You’ve probably heard that many people who get COVID-19 have light symptoms or no symptoms at all. Others aren’t so lucky. People with certain conditions are at a greater risk for bad problems when COVID-19 strikes. According to the CDC, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure increase the chances that a patient will have severe symptoms or need a machine …
A heart-healthy diet may sound boring if you’re not used to eating this way. This eating pattern calls for lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, and limited amounts of red meat, whole-fat dairy products, salt, and added sugar. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of your favorite treats. Here are a few popular snacks that are …
You stretch to make your body more flexible and less stiff. But did you know it can do the same for your blood vessels? It’s true. New research from the University of Milan in Italy showed that a 12-week stretching regimen improved blood flow, lowered blood pressure, and decreased the stiffness of arteries. Good blood flow leads to less damage …
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 …
More and more people are taking up Tai Chi to improve their health. Did you know that this ancient martial art has a number of important benefits for the heart? Tai Chi involves a series of graceful, gentle movements that can get your heart rate up while also relaxing your mind. It’s been called meditation in motion. Many people find …
Restrictions on some activities are starting to lift around the country, so it’s a good time to take stock of your health. Weeks under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic have been challenging! Here’s what’s happening in many households: Less exercise Many people are getting less physical activity than they used to. Gyms and exercise studios may still be closed …
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 …
Across the country, people are staying home in order to help stop the spread of the coronavirus and to stay healthy. That means many of us are suddenly less active than we used to be. If you’re self-isolating, you’re not exercising at the gym, taking an on-site yoga class, shopping at the mall, running your usual errands, or even walking …
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 …
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 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 …
The band of fat around your waistline can make it harder to zip up your favorite pants. But that’s not the worst problem with it. Fat that surrounds your organs in the belly is linked to a greater risk for heart disease and other health problems. This deep belly fat is called “visceral” fat. It is linked to high blood …
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 …
You expect to lose weight when you eat less. But what if eating a little less also lowered your blood pressure, improved your cholesterol, reduced inflammation in your body, and helped with blood sugar control? Looks like it does. That was the surprising finding of a recent study in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. It followed 218 people ages 21 …
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 probably know that you need to exercise to have a healthy heart. But you might be surprised at how little activity it takes. A new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that moving just 10 minutes a week helped. Researchers looked at surveys the government collected from more than 88,000 Americans, ages 40 to 85, from …
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 …
Fasting and Your Heart People have often turned to fasting—not eating, or limiting food, for a period of time—to lose weight. Now research shows that eating less at certain times of the day or week may not only help you shed pounds but may also improve your heart’s health. The data have to do with eating patterns where people alternate …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
If you are confused about fish oil supplements these days, it’s not surprising. Recent news stories suggest that these popular supplements may not be all they’re cracked up to be. Large groups of people, such as those living in Japan who eat high levels of omega-3 fatty acids (the type of fats found in fish oil supplements) over long periods …
The debate over whether or not to eat breakfast just got a little more serious. Research has previously suggested that skipping morning meals may lead to weight gain and boost the risk for diabetes and high cholesterol. But a new study draws a straight line between forgoing breakfast and the development of dangerous plaque in the arteries. The study, recently …
The Heart Health Move You Can’t Afford to Miss With the stacks on your desk and overflowing in-box, taking a vacation can seem like more trouble than it’s worth. And there’s always the fear that the boss will decide you’re dispensable while you’re soaking up the sun in Tahiti. It’s no wonder that a recent survey from the careers website …
