All articles tagged with #heart disease
A new JAMA study finds measuring apolipoprotein B (apoB) in cholesterol screening may more accurately identify who needs treatment to prevent heart attacks and strokes than LDL or non-HDL cholesterol. The findings align with updated guidelines that emphasize additional tests, like Lp(a), for assessing risk, and suggest apoB can reveal cardiovascular risk even when LDL appears normal.
The ACC/AHA's updated cholesterol guidelines urge starting prevention early, expand testing beyond traditional cholesterol (including Lp(a) and ApoB) and use risk tools like CAC scanning to tailor treatment. They emphasize lifestyle first—plant-based, whole foods, limited ultra-processed foods, regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep—with routine cholesterol checks for adults 19+ and childhood screening for those with family history. While lifestyle changes are central, medications such as statins may be necessary for some, and supplements are not a reliable shortcut. Prevention is a lifelong commitment.
Life expectancy in the U.S. has risen from roughly 30 years in 1776 to nearly 80 today, as infectious diseases declined and chronic conditions became the leading killers; in 2024, heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic liver disease and suicide were the top causes of death, reflecting a shift shaped by vaccines, sanitation, medical advances and lifestyle factors.
A Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine–commissioned Morning Consult poll shows that while more than half of Americans eat hot dogs at least monthly, only 11% can name specific health risks. Processed meats are linked to higher risks of colorectal cancer and other cancers, as well as heart disease and possibly dementia; the World Health Organization classifies processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen. Health experts urge moderation and note healthier alternatives, including plant-based hot dogs or homemade carrot-based “carrot dogs.”
AI analysis of upper-body CT scans from 1,722 patients with chest pain found that higher chest and back muscle density (better-quality skeletal muscle) is associated with a 31% lower risk of heart attack and a 39% lower risk of death over 10 years. Muscle size did not predict risk, suggesting muscle composition matters. Findings, published in Radiology, could lead to routine scans flagging at-risk individuals who may benefit from more exercise or preventive treatments, though more research is needed.
A study using US Veterans Affairs records found the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine, given with the flu vaccine on the same day, was associated with lower risk of COVID-related major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in more than one million veterans, particularly those 75 and older and with underlying conditions. Within eight months, relative vaccine effectiveness was 37.7% for all MACE, including a 57.9% lower risk of cardiovascular death, 38.5% lower risk of heart attack, and 41.9% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure; stroke reduction was not statistically significant. The study is observational and cannot prove causation, and declines in COVID testing and infection severity may affect the links observed.
Men die younger than women due to a mix of biology and behavior—greater cardiovascular risk, later healthcare seeking, and social isolation—so regular checkups, screenings, and proactive health habits can narrow the gap.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common and often under-discussed, but it can signal broader health risks. Research links ED to higher chances of coronary heart disease and stroke, particularly in older men, and to diabetes-related complications and possibly dementia. ED serves as a vascular health indicator; addressing it with clinicians can prompt screening and lifestyle changes that may reduce risk, while treatments like sildenafil exist, with evolving evidence on broader health outcomes.
Insulin resistance, which can be triggered by a high-sugar diet, aging, genetics, inactivity, and visceral fat, is increasingly seen as a central but overlooked contributor to cardiometabolic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver, and may be linked to cancer risk as well.
A diagonal crease in the earlobe, known as Frank’s sign, has been associated with a higher risk of heart disease (including coronary artery disease) and stroke. The risk is strongest when the crease runs the full length of both earlobes, is deep, and accompanied by other creases. However, the crease alone isn’t diagnostic, and individuals with other risk factors should consult a healthcare provider for a full assessment.
US heart surgeon Jeremy London outlines four early warning signs men often overlook—low testosterone, rising heart-disease risk, erectile dysfunction, and sleep apnea—emphasizing that addressing belly fat, sleep quality, and vascular health in your 30s–40s can prevent serious cardiovascular problems, since ED and sleep apnea can precede chest pain.
Women’s symptoms are often dismissed as anxiety, delaying diagnosis of stroke and heart conditions. The piece follows Christy Kirk, whose stroke was initially treated as a panic attack, and Kait Leno, whose heart issues were repeatedly misattributed to anxiety before correct diagnoses and treatments. It notes a 2023 Frontiers study highlighting gender bias in medicine, and describes how patient advocacy and tools like AI symptom logging are helping women seek proper evaluation and care.
Remnant cholesterol, carried by large lipoprotein particles and rich in triglycerides, may drive heart disease more than LDL; it’s rarely measured, and while statins mostly lower LDL, newer drugs plus diet and weight loss can significantly reduce remnant cholesterol and cardiovascular risk.
Drinking soda every day delivers a short-lived caffeine-and-sugar energy boost but can cause gut discomfort and, in the long term, belly fat and higher risks of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, kidney problems and brain inflammation; even diet soda isn’t risk-free due to artificial sweeteners—consider replacing it with sparkling water or infused drinks and taper caffeine gradually while staying hydrated.
A new study finds associations between everyday food preservatives and increased risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks, adding to worries about processed foods. Researchers caution that correlation does not prove causation and call for more research, while experts advise limiting processed foods and reading labels to reduce potential risks.