Heart Health Archive

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.

A 2024 study suggested that even five minutes of additional vigorous daily exercise could lower blood pressure.

In a large 2024 study, people who ate more plant-based proteins than animal proteins had the lowest risks of developing cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease, compared with those who ate more animal proteins than plant-based proteins.

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.

Having an extremely low LDL level from aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy was not associated with cognitive impairment, according to a 2024 study.

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.

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.

High levels of Lp(a)-a fatty particle similar to LDL cholesterol-may double or triple a person's risk of a heart attack. About one in five adults may have elevated levels, which also raises the risk of stroke and aortic stenosis. Unlike LDL, which rises with age and is influenced by diet and exercise, Lp(a) remains largely constant over a person's lifetime, so a one-time test suffices for screening. Lp(a) testing is becoming more common now that five promising new Lp(a) therapies are in development.

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 2024 study found that people who follow a diet with a higher ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein may have a lower risk for cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease compared with individuals who eat a lower plant-to-animal protein ratio.