Heart Health Archive

Lowering high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, is important for preventing and treating heart disease. The other cholesterol-high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-is often called "good" cholesterol, but this may be misleading. While some HDL particles gather excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and artery walls and deliver it to the liver where it's excreted, other particles are not good at this job, and some can even increase levels. People should focus on their LDL and not focus as much on HDL unless it's very low or very high.

Meatless burgers-which include plant-based meat alternatives like Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger and veggie burgers-are healthy replacements for traditional hamburgers. Those with the lowest amounts of saturated fat and sodium are the best options.

Increasing potassium levels while lowering sodium may be more effective in lowering high blood pressure than reducing dietary salt alone, particularly for men, according to a 2025 study.

People whose average daily diets included at least 18 grams of fiber were less likely to have a stroke than those who ate less fiber, according a 2025 study.

A 2025 study found that people who walk at an average or brisk pace (3 or more miles per hour) were less likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms than people who walk more slowly.

In a 2025 study of more than 420,000 participants followed for about 13 years, people who walked at a steady or brisk pace had up to a 43% lower risk for developing heart arrhythmias, compared with those who walked at a slow pace.

A 2025 suggests that an experimental drug called lorundrostat may be an effective add-on therapy for high blood pressure that has not responded to medication. The drug works by reducing aldosterone, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure.

Wearable fitness trackers like smart watches offer measurable and motivating data for exercise routines and safety, especially for people with heart conditions. Features include movement reminders, step counts (a daily total of 4,000 to 7,000 steps is considered beneficial), heart rate zones for exercise intensity, and measurements of heart rate recovery and variability to assess overall heart health. These tools can help optimize workouts and reveal potential issues.

If a blood clot lodges in an artery or vein, it can choke off blood flow to the heart, brain, or lung. Often called blood thinners, anti-clotting drugs play a big role in treating heart disease. But they can cause minor (and sometimes serious) bleeding, ranging from nosebleeds to bleeding inside the brain. New solutions to balance clot prevention and excess bleeding are in the works, including low-dose drug combinations and new medications.

Ultraprocessed packaged foods and drinks contain thickeners, preservatives, and other additives to improve their taste, texture, appearance, and shelf life. But the high amounts of salt, sugar, and fat in these products are probably more concerning for a person's health. Foods like sugary drinks and processed meats are the worst culprits. Eating a diet focused on whole, plant-based foods automatically lowers processed food intake and provides heart-protecting nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.