Heart Disease Archive

To protect against heart attack, stroke, and cognitive decline, people should aim for a blood pressure reading below 130/80, according to the current blood pressure guidelines.

While microplastics have been detected in blood and tissues throughout the body, their health effects remain uncertain yet potentially concerning.

Sleeping in a dark room may do more than improve sleep; it may also benefit heart health. A 2026 study linked nighttime light exposure with harmful changes in heart structure and higher risks of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, stroke, and death from heart disease.

Your doctor may ask you to track your blood pressure at home to help decide if you need to start taking medication or to track your response to treatment. Here's how to get accurate readings.

Periodontal disease, the leading cause of adult tooth loss, may increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and dementia.

A 2026 study found that taking more daily steps (even at a slow pace) or walking faster (even without adding steps) was associated with a lower chance of dying early.

Replacement heart valves, which are mechanical (made of metal or carbon) or tissue (made from heart tissue from a cow or pig), are inserted during either open-heart surgery or a minimally invasive procedure. The best option for each person depends on age and other factors.

While a large study found that a drug to lower inflammation failed to prevent heart attacks and related risk, inflammation is still important in the development of coronary artery disease.

Low-carb diets can have varied effects on LDL cholesterol levels based on a person’s body mass index. In lean people, LDL cholesterol values can rise dramatically, while levels may decline in people with obesity.

Drinking up to five cups of coffee per day is safe for most people and may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a 2026 statement from the American Heart Association.