Heart Disease Archive

Heart block is a slowdown or blockage of the electrical signals that travel from the upper to lower chambers of the heart. People with third-degree heart block (the most serious form) nearly always need a permanent pacemaker.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare heart condition that causes the walls of the heart to become thick, stiff, and unable to pump normally. Three FDA-approved medications for the most common form, ATTR-CM, slow disease progression and extend life.

Foods that contain mainly saturated fat, such as beef tallow and butter, are less heart-healthy than those that contain mainly unsaturated fats, including olive oil and seed oils such as canola oil and soybean oil.

A major Harvard study adds more evidence that a healthy diet may protect your brain. Older adults who ate the most ultra-processed foods were found to have substantially higher risks of dementia and cognitive decline, while those eating more minimally processed foods had lower risks.

The DASH diet is a flexible, science-backed eating plan proven to lower blood pressure, while also reducing risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and cognitive decline. Emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, it’s a healthy way to eat that suits almost everyone.

For people managing a chronic illness or recovery, medically tailored meals—home-delivered and dietitian-planned—can help. Research shows they improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and save billions in health care costs. Programs range from full meal delivery to grocery boxes and produce vouchers.

Most Americans fall short on their intake of potassium, a vital but overlooked nutrient. People can boost the level of potassium in their body by eating more plant foods, especially beans, potatoes, leafy greens, and fruit, and by cutting back on ultra-processed foods.

Staying at home during a power outage can be risky for your health. To be safe, take steps to maintain power for essential medical equipment, store medications properly, and prepare for other hazards.

A 2025 study found that morning coffee drinkers faced lower odds of dying from cardiovascular disease-or any cause-over a 10-year period compared with people who drank coffee all day or people who didn't drink coffee at all.

People who follow a healthy lifestyle can still have the early stages of coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease. There are many ways people can find out if they have CAD. This includes paying attention to whether exercise causes discomfort, doing a 10-year heart risk assessment, and seeing their doctor for diagnostic testing, such as a coronary artery calcium scan, a resting electrocardiogram, a walking stress test, or an echocardiogram. A doctor uses this information to determine the best treatment path.