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Heart Health Archive

Articles

Protect your heart during the dog days of summer

People who have or are at risk for cardiovascular disease should be extra cautious when exercising outside when it's hot, humid, and hazy, as they are more vulnerable to the hazards of high temperature and air pollution. To exercise safely during a heat wave, people should avoid being outside during the middle of the day; wear light-colored, lightweight clothing; and be careful to stay hydrated.

Cardiovascular risks soar among daily cannabis users

A 2024 study suggests using cannabis weekly may be associated with an increase in people's risks of heart attack and stroke, and the risks rise dramatically with more frequent use.

Heart failure might be the most common complication of atrial fibrillation

A large observational study published in 2024 suggests that stroke isn't the biggest risk of atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm condition). The biggest risk seems to be heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood effectively.

Can intermittent fasting improve heart health?

Intermittent fasting may help people lose weight and improve their cholesterol levels and other heart-related risks. One form of intermittent fasting is time-restricted eating, during which people eat only during a certain time window (usually eight hours) each day. Another approach, alternate-day fasting, involves fasting or significantly limiting calories for one or two days per week. But it's hard to maintain over the long run due to the challenges of following a strict eating schedule while juggling various work, family, and social commitments.

Why do some heart drugs cost so much?

Health insurance companies sometimes require prior authorization for new, expensive medications. The high price patients pay for these drugs is related to complexities in health insurance coverage.

A personalized program to heal your heart

Cardiac rehabilitation, a personalized program of supervised exercise and heart-healthy lifestyle coaching, helps people recover from heart-related problems, including stable angina, heart attack, heart surgery, and stable heart failure. A 12-week program helps people regain their stamina, enabling them to resume their favorite activities, and may also lessen stress and depression. Cardiac rehab is also proven to lower the risk of future heart-related illness and hospitalization and may help people live longer.

Choosing the most beneficial blood thinner

Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (so-called "blood thinners") are prescribed to treat atrial fibrillation, deep-vein thrombosis, or blood clots in the lung. Doctors also prescribe antiplatelet drugs to prevent blood clots in arteries that can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Microplastics in arteries linked to heart disease risk

A 2024 study found that people with microplastics in the plaque clogging their neck arteries were about four times more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than people with plastic-free plaque.

Many older adults still follow outdated aspirin advice

A 2024 nationwide poll suggests that one in four older adults takes aspirin regularly in hopes of preventing a heart attack or stroke, even though updated guidelines from 2019 advise against that practice in many cases.

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