Heart Health Archive

Five numbers give a thumbnail assessment of overall heart health and what factors people might need to address to lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke. These numbers offer ideal goals for most people, although targets vary for individuals based on age or other health conditions.

A major theme of the 2023 American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care guide is healthy weight loss. The new guidelines also encourage collaboration on meaningful lifestyle changes that help with sleep and health metric targets.

When a person's heart stops beating and they go into cardiac arrest, receiving CPR can double their odds of surviving. And since the majority of cardiac arrests happen at home, knowing the basics of CPR may save the life of a loved one.

A 2022 report predicts higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD)—heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke—over the next three decades. Older adults can lower their CVD risk by managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excess weight. Also, they should follow the big three healthy-heart habits: a plant-based diet, sufficient amount of recommended exercise, and at least seven hours of sleep.

Using recreational drugs—including methamphetamine, opiates, cocaine, or cannabis—may increase a person's risk for atrial fibrillation.

Like heart-pumping aerobic exercise, strength training also may help older adults live longer. But doing both types of exercise may be even more beneficial.

People on blood pressure drugs should take them at whatever time is most convenient for them and minimizes any side effects.

A simple exercise that involves standing up from a chair can help strengthen the muscles in the lower body. Hand placement, which can be on the chair's arms, the thighs, or across on the chest, can make the exercise easier or harder.

A 2022 study found that older adults with sleep apnea who are hospitalized for cardiovascular disease are far less likely to be rehospitalized within 30 days if they consistently treat their apnea with CPAP therapy, which keeps the airway open during sleep.

About one in eight adults over age 45 has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD refers to several lung-damaging conditions, particularly emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that cause coughing and breathlessness. But many people don't know much about COPD, which is largely caused by cigarette smoking and may be mistaken for heart disease. Anyone with symptoms of COPD should be evaluated by a physician. People who have heart disease who have ever smoked or lived with a smoker should be tested for COPD.