Heart Health Archive

Whole or minimally processed foods tend to be best for heart health. But many processed foods-and even some that are ultra-processed-are also good options, provided people choose wisely. In three large studies, ultra-processed whole-grain bread, breakfast cereals, and yogurt were linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Artificially and sugar-sweetened beverages, processed meats, and ready-to-eat dishes were linked to higher risks of those conditions.

Every year, an estimated 600,000 people in the United States develop a blood clot deep inside the leg, known as deep-vein thrombosis. These clots usually develop in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis but occasionally the arm. The affected area may be tender or painful, swollen, red or discolored, and warm to the touch. If a clot breaks free and travels to a lung, it can cause a pulmonary embolism. Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism include difficulty breathing that happens suddenly, a fast or irregular heartbeat, coughing up blood, and chest pain or discomfort, which usually worsens with a deep breath or coughing.

New guidelines for managing atrial fibrillation focus on lifestyle habits to prevent and control the disorder. One recommendation is for people to limit alcohol to one drink per day, or ideally less. Another is for people who are overweight or obese to lose weight, either by striving for a body mass index no greater than 27 or by shedding at least 10% of their body weight. The guidelines also suggest that people get three to four hours of exercise per week. And people with afib who snore should consider getting tested for sleep apnea.

Certain foods, such as beans, oats and whole grains, fatty fish, and fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, can lower "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Tiny mesh tubes called stents, used to prop open heart arteries, can relieve stable angina (chest pain with exertion or emotional stress) in many people with coronary artery disease. But this treatment-which carries a risk of complications and a high cost-should be reserved only for people who don't get relief from drug therapy. Stents do not prevent future heart attacks or improve survival compared with drug therapy. Angina usually results from arteries that are more than 70% blocked, but most heart attacks occur in arteries that are narrowed by only about 40% or less but harbor plaque that ruptures without warning. The resulting blood clot blocks blood flow, triggering a heart attack.

A 2023 study suggests that following a healthy vegan diet may improve cardiometabolic risk factors (such as LDL cholesterol and weight) more than eating even a healthy omnivorous diet.

Calcium deposits in the coronary arteries surrounding the heart may be a sign of fatty plaque buildup in arteries. Dietary calcium is not a cause of these calcium deposits. While people can't reverse the effect of calcium deposits, they can slow the process by managing blood pressure and "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Aortic stenosis occurs when the heart's aortic valve becomes stiff and calcified, narrowing its opening so blood cannot flow normally. This can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, lightheadedness, fainting, and chest tightness. Neither lifestyle nor medications can slow or reverse aortic stenosis. People born with a bicuspid aortic valve are at high risk, but most people with aortic stenosis have a normal appearing valve. The only treatment is to replace the damaged valve using open heart surgery or a less invasive, nonsurgical approach called transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

A 2023 study suggests replacing a daily serving of processed meats with whole grains, nuts, or beans is associated with lower odds of cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack or stroke.