Heart Health Archive

Having type 2 diabetes doubles a person's odds of heart disease, and this risk may be present as early as 30 years prior to the diabetes diagnosis, according to a 2024 study. The findings support the long-held observation of the shared underlying causes of diabetes and heart disease. These include factors that contribute to both conditions, especially the tendency to accumulate fat in the middle of the body, known as abdominal obesity. This problem tends to occur in tandem with high blood pressure, unhealthy lipid levels, and elevated blood sugar-a cluster of signs and symptoms called metabolic syndrome.

In a 2024 study, people with a habit of eating dark chocolate-about an ounce a day-were less likely to develop diabetes compared to those who didn't consume it.

Briefly running or climbing stairs are examples of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA). Just a few minutes of VILPA per day was linked to a lower risk of heart-related problems among women who don't exercise, a 2024 study found.

A condition caused by spontaneous genetic mutations in bone marrow cells, known as clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate significance (CHIP), is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Some of these mutations are clearly related to inflammation, a well-known contributor to the buildup of fatty plaque inside arteries. Experts hope that future research on CHIP will eventually lead to genetically directed therapies to address the condition.

People with type 2 diabetes may have greater protection from cardiovascular problems if they keep their systolic blood pressure (the first number in a reading) to 120 mm Hg or lower, according to a 2024 study.

After a heart attack or stent placement, people typically take a combination of aspirin and another antiplatelet drug. After one year, the new standard practice is to stop the aspirin, in contrast to the previous practice of stopping the other drug.

Social media sources may share misleading information about canola, soybean, and other seed oils. But these oils, which consist mostly of unsaturated fat, can be a good source of heart-healthy fat when combined with whole, fresh foods rather than in processed foods like crunchy, salty, or sweet snack foods. Consuming unsaturated fat in place of saturated fat (found mainly in animal-based foods) is linked to a lower risk of heart attack and death from heart disease.

A 2024 study involving more than 72,000 healthy people ages 40 to 79 found that those whose sleep and wake times fluctuated most had a 26% higher risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or similar problem, compared with those whose sleep patterns fluctuated least.