All articles tagged with #heart disease
A Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center study tracked over 1,000 adults for five years and found that every 10-gram daily increase in soluble fiber intake was linked to a 3.7% reduction in visceral (belly) fat, which is more closely tied to diabetes and heart disease than fat under the skin. Foods like black beans, pears, oats, and other legumes and fruits/vegetables can help reach about 10 grams of soluble fiber per day.
A Lancet Public Health review of 74 studies (over 4.2 million participants) finds that leisure-time physical activity lowers dementia risk, but physically demanding jobs may increase it due to chronic stress and low personal agency; the article discusses how workplace conditions and public health strategies could mitigate this risk and better protect workers in manual labor.
TODAY reports that controlling blood pressure is the single most important modifiable risk factor for heart disease. With about 81 million U.S. adults affected by hypertension and many untreated, BP management—via lifestyle changes (DASH diet, regular exercise, stress management, salt reduction) and medications when needed—could prevent roughly 162,000 cardiovascular deaths over the next decade, with risk assessed using tools like the American Heart Association PREVENT calculator.
A large meta-analysis of about 480,000 people across nine studies found that daily stair climbers had a 39% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 24% lower risk of death from any cause over a median follow-up of 14 years. While the research shows associations rather than causation, stair climbing is a simple, low‑impact activity that can benefit cardiovascular health, with some data suggesting roughly six flights per day may offer the greatest benefit. It’s generally safe for many, but may not be suitable for people with mobility or joint issues; more research is needed to define optimal stair-climbing guidelines.
Earth.com reports that long-term anabolic steroid use is linked to scarred arteries, weaker heart function, and higher rates of heart attack, heart failure, and early death, with risk evident in both men and women and starting at a young age. Studies show the burden increases with duration and exposure, prompting calls for education and monitoring over prohibition as the market persists and evolves, driven in part by social media.
A health expert highlights seven major issues men often overlook—cardiovascular disease and vascular health, erectile dysfunction, prostate enlargement and urinary symptoms, metabolic decline with abdominal weight gain, low testosterone, sleep apnea, and the importance of proactive cancer screening—emphasizing that symptoms and risks should prompt medical evaluation and preventive care to improve outcomes.
Janet Mercel’s lifelong fainting spells were misdiagnosed for years until doctors pinpointed a severe neurocardiogenic syncope; in 2014 a leadless pacemaker was implanted, dramatically reducing her fainting and giving her a new lease on life.
Doctors say heart disease often begins with subtle signs long before chest pain. New or unusual fatigue, shortness of breath with everyday activities, pain or discomfort in the jaw/neck/back/arms, indigestion-like sensations, dizziness, unexplained sweating, swollen ankles, or an irregular heartbeat can all signal cardiac stress. Recognizing these early clues enables prompt evaluation and treatment to prevent progression, with emphasis on regular check-ups and managing blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol, alongside a healthy lifestyle.
A hospital worker recounts nearly missing a heart attack because women often present with nonclassic signs. The piece highlights that female heart attack symptoms can include chest pressure in the upper abdomen, jaw, neck, back, fatigue and GI distress, and stresses proactive testing and patient advocacy (e.g., hs-CRP, Lp(a), ApoB, CAC) plus regular checkups. Experts note the need for better education and research on women’s cardiovascular risk and encourage patients to persist with doctors to get answers and appropriate tests.
A TODAY expert recommends limiting red meat to about one serving per week due to its higher saturated fat content and links to heart disease and colorectal cancer. While there’s no official weekly limit, major groups advise shifting toward plant proteins and lean options. To get started, substitute red meat with chicken, turkey, fish, beans, lentils, nuts, and soy, and opt for lean cuts and healthier cooking. Plant-based proteins and seafood can help reduce risk while still providing protein and essential nutrients.
A large study of over 413,000 women with PCOS/PMOS found they have about four times the risk of cardiovascular disease compared with women without the condition, even after adjusting for diabetes and high blood pressure. PCOS/PMOS involves insulin resistance and metabolic issues that drive heart risk, prompting new UK guidance for regular cardiovascular screening in affected women. Early diagnosis and lifestyle measures—weight management, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol—can help reduce long-term risk, and treatments like metformin may be used to improve insulin sensitivity.
FDA-approved enlicitide is an oral pill that lowers LDL cholesterol by about 60%, offering a needle-free alternative to injections and statins for those who can’t tolerate them; the drug’s development builds on PCSK9 genetics, and while LDL reductions look promising, hard outcomes like deaths will take years to prove, and cost and access—alongside the potential of gene editing and other therapies—will shape how broadly it helps curb heart disease.
A dermatologist explains that psoriasis is not just a skin condition but an inflammatory disease recognized as a risk-enhancing factor for heart attacks and strokes, especially when severe. The link involves metabolic syndrome and fat-tissue inflammation; not all inflammatory skin conditions carry the same risk. Doctors recommend regular blood pressure checks and lifestyle changes (healthy diet, exercise, avoiding smoking, adequate sleep) to mitigate cardiovascular risk, while skincare basics emphasize gentle, fragrance-free products.
A 65-year-old mom’s overwhelming joy after her daughter’s wedding led to chest pain that initially mimicked a heart attack. Imaging revealed a rare, reversible condition called happy heart syndrome, a positive-emotion–triggered form of Takotsubo syndrome with ballooning of the left ventricle. With prompt treatment, she recovered fully and resumed normal activities, underscoring that intense happiness can temporarily stress the heart and is often mistaken for Acute Coronary Syndrome.
Observational studies have linked regular, moderate ice cream consumption with a lower risk of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues, possibly due to whey protein and overall healthy lifestyles; however, researchers stress there is no proven causal effect and note reverse causation and study limitations. Balance and moderation remain key in a nutritious diet.