Heart Health

While the term “heart health” may seem self-explanatory, it actually encompasses a lot. From reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke to preventing high blood pressure and diabetes, heart health is about your overall well-being. The term “heart health” is often used interchangeably with the term “cardiovascular health,” which also refers to the health of your heart and blood vessels.

Despite the name, though, your heart health has very little to do with your actual heart. Instead, it’s about your blood vessels and the blood flowing through them. High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and low HDL cholesterol all pose significant risks to your cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for one in every four deaths. It is also the leading cause of disability. Cardiovascular disease includes conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes, as well as conditions like obesity, metabolic syndrome, and smoking. The best way to reduce your risk of heart disease is to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and manage any chronic conditions you have, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You can also consider taking supplements, such as fish oil, to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Hidden Infections Behind Heart Attacks: What Science Is Finally Revealing
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Hidden Infections Behind Heart Attacks: What Science Is Finally Revealing

For years, cholesterol and poor lifestyle habits have taken the blame for heart attacks. But new research is changing that story. There is evidence that shows that bacterial infections may be the silent driver behind many heart attacks. Inside the fatty plaques of arteries, researchers discovered bacterial biofilms—tiny gel-like colonies that can hide undetected for…

When Your Body Sends a Silent Warning: Hidden Signs of a Blood Clot
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When Your Body Sends a Silent Warning: Hidden Signs of a Blood Clot

Blood clots are one of the body’s most remarkable defense mechanisms. They act as an emergency patch system that stops you from bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. But sometimes, this system misfires. A clot can form when it’s not needed, creating a dangerous blockage that restricts blood flow and, in severe cases, threatens…

This Popular Sleep Supplement May Be Putting Millions at Risk for Heart Failure
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This Popular Sleep Supplement May Be Putting Millions at Risk for Heart Failure

If you struggle to fall asleep, you’re not alone. Roughly 1 in 3 adults report regular sleep problems, and for many, the solution feels obvious: melatonin. It’s cheap, it’s everywhere, and it’s marketed as “natural.” But new research is raising serious questions about whether long-term melatonin use is as harmless as we’ve been led to…

Walking 4,000 Steps Reduces Death Risk 40 Percent Study Finds
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Walking 4,000 Steps Reduces Death Risk 40 Percent Study Finds

Walking just 4,000 steps once or twice weekly reduces death risk by 26 percent compared to no walking days, according to research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Scientists at Brigham and Women’s Hospital tracked over 13,000 older women for nearly 11 years, finding that those who walked 4,000 steps on three or…

Owning a Cat Could Help You Avoid a Heart Attack, According to Science
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Owning a Cat Could Help You Avoid a Heart Attack, According to Science

Scientists have discovered an unexpected guardian angel living in millions of homes across America, silently protecting human hearts in ways that would surprise even the most devoted pet lovers. While medical researchers typically focus on diet, exercise, and medications for cardiovascular protection, groundbreaking findings suggest something far simpler might be providing life-saving benefits.  A decade-long…

The New Protein Discovery That Could Prevent Sudden Death After Heart Attacks
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The New Protein Discovery That Could Prevent Sudden Death After Heart Attacks

Before the heart skips a beat, there’s an entire world of microscopic battles unfolding inside it. Every second after a heart attack, immune cells rush in to repair damage and protect the heart from further harm. But what if some of those same defenders actually make things worse? New research from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals…

Earth’s Heat Imbalance Is Doubling—What That Means for Your Health
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Earth’s Heat Imbalance Is Doubling—What That Means for Your Health

Earth is holding onto more heat than it releases back into space, and scientists say this imbalance has more than doubled in just two decades. While the physics may sound abstract, the effects are very real: hotter days, harsher storms, and shifting health risks that touch us all. What Does “Energy Imbalance” Mean? Earth’s climate…

Why Sugar May Be Worse for Your Heart Than Cholesterol
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Why Sugar May Be Worse for Your Heart Than Cholesterol

For years, cholesterol has been considered the primary culprit behind heart disease. But new evidence suggests the real danger may be far more common—and often hiding in plain sight. A landmark 15-year study published in JAMA Internal Medicine revealed that consuming high amounts of added sugar may more than double your risk of dying from…

The Weekend Sleep Habit Linked to a 20% Drop in Heart Disease
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The Weekend Sleep Habit Linked to a 20% Drop in Heart Disease

Is sleeping in on Saturday actually good for your health? According to new research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress, the answer may be yes—especially for your heart. This recent study analyzed nearly 91,000 adults from the UK Biobank and discovered a promising trend: people who made up for lost sleep on weekends…