Heart Health Archive

Not getting sufficient sleep may harm the cardiovascular system by triggering physiological and hormonal changes that increase blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood levels of substances that indicate inflammation. People who don't regularly get at least seven hours of sleep a night should assess their daily habits to look for ways to improve, such as by establishing an earlier bedtime and turning off all electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime.

Cardiac CT angiography (CCTA), a noninvasive test to check for clogged heart arteries, is now considered a first-line test for people with suspected heart disease. This test uses a CT scanner, which takes multiple, rapid x-rays that are merged together to create a detailed, three-dimensional view of the heart's arteries. CCTA appears to be just as effective as traditional angiography for detecting and preventing heart attacks, strokes, and death from heart disease, but with fewer procedure-related risks.

Electrical cardioversion is a procedure that uses low-energy shocks to convert a rapid or irregular heartbeat back to a normal rhythm. People remain asleep during the brief procedure, so they don't feel anything.

Healthier alternatives to standard white pasta include spiralized vegetable "zoodles" (made from zucchini or yellow squash) as well as pasta made from whole-wheat flour, buckwheat flour, edamame (soybeans), chickpeas, or red lentils.

A 2022 study found that people who have depression after a heart attack are nearly 50% more likely to suffer a stroke compared with heart attack survivors who don't develop depression.

About one in 11 men ages 65 and older has atrial fibrillation (afib), a heart rhythm disorder that causes an irregular and often faster-than-normal heartbeat. Afib can be persistent and chronic, or it can happen intermittently. People might have no symptoms with either variety, or afib can cause lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, or extreme fatigue. But the biggest worry is a fivefold increased risk of stroke. The main treatment choices for people are rate control with medication, or rhythm control, done with medication or a procedure such as electrical cardioversion or catheter ablation.

Emotionally stressful events that affect large numbers of people have been linked to an increase in heart attack rates. A 2022 study found the same correlation with a contentious political election.

A 2022 study suggests that using a smartwatch capable of estimating blood oxygen levels and recording an electrocardiogram could be an effective way to remotely monitor people at home following a minimally invasive heart valve replacement.

A 2022 study found that egg consumption equal to about one per day and greater dietary cholesterol intake were linked to a slightly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Regular walking—for at least 30 minutes a day, three days per week—is the best treatment for peripheral artery disease. This condition is characterized by fatty deposits that accumulate in arteries outside the heart and brain (usually the legs). Walking encourages blood flow in the leg's smaller arteries and also creates new channels that move blood around the blocked areas, which eventually helps ease the pain.