Heart Health : 481 Articles

Many of the risk factors for heart disease are modifiable, meaning you have some control over them and can take steps to help prevent heart disease. See this section for the latest research, tips and things you can do today to help keep your heart healthy.

Running and weight training good for the heart

While the total amount of exercise is important--more being better--new study findings suggest that turning your exercise intensity up a notch can lower the risk of heart disease in men even…

Running, weight training reduce risk of heart disease in men

While the total amount of exercise is important--more being better--new study findings suggest that turning exercise up a notch in intensity can lower the risk of heart disease in men even…

Blood pressure guidelines stress exercise, diet

New U.S. government recommendations released last week emphasize that high blood pressure can be prevented largely through lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise. The guidelines…

High homocysteine may increase risk of stroke and Alzheimer's - more reason to boost your B vitamins

Moderately high levels of the amino acid homocysteine may substantially increase the risk of stroke and Alzheimerís disease as well as a non-Alzheimer's form of dementia, researchers…

Soy lowers insulin, cholesterol in diabetic women

Older women with type 2 diabetes, who take a daily soy supplement for 12 weeks, show improvements in cholesterol and insulin levels, according to preliminary findings from a UK study. These…

An apple a day may keep the doctor away

New findings from Finland suggest that an apple a day can keep you healthy. In a study of more than 10,000 men and women, individuals who consumed more of plant compounds called…

Vitamin E may help keep arteries clear in women

Findings from an Italian study suggest that women who take in less vitamin E may be at greater risk of heart disease and stroke even if they do not have other risk factors. The study found…

Antioxidant vitamins C and E may prevent artery damage

Both vitamins C and E, taken alone, may prevent a type of oxidative damage tied to cardiovascular disease. However, taking the two vitamins together doesn't seem to give an added benefit,…

Flaxseed may lower cholesterol in women

Flaxseed may help to reduce levels of cholesterol in the blood of postmenopausal women, researchers from Oklahoma State University report. Overall, total cholesterol fell in the women by an…

US diet advice: cut saturated fat, skip sugars

To maintain health and reduce risk of heart disease and cancer, Americans should try to eliminate saturated fats and added sugars from their diets and get at least an hour of physical activity…

Light drinking may prevent second heart attack

According to a French study, men who survive a heart attack and who drink between 2 and 4 glasses of wine each day are less likely to experience a second heart attack than men who consume no…

Fish oil plus statins may improve cholesterol

For obese people who are at risk of developing diabetes, cholesterol-lowering drugs and fish oil both improve the balance of fatty substances in the blood, study findings from University of…

Low vitamin E linked to early artery disease

Women who don't get enough vitamin E in their diets appear to be more likely than others to show early signs of the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), even before they experience…

B vitamins may improve outcome after angioplasty

A supplement of B vitamins may lower the risks of heart attack, repeat surgery and death for patients who have undergone the heart surgery angioplasty, say researchers from the University of…

Almonds help lower blood cholesterol

Including almonds in a healthy diet may help to reduce cholesterol levels. In a small study, Toronto researchers found that adults who substituted 74 grams of almonds (about 2 ounces) for…

Low potassium intake linked to stroke

Older individuals who do not eat enough potassium-rich foods may be more susceptible to stroke, preliminary study findings suggest. The study of more than 5,600 men and women over 65 years of…

A special fat may lower stroke risk

Consuming foods rich in linoleic acid, a fatty acid found in corn, sunflower and safflower oils and soybeans, may reduce your risk of the most common type of stroke. Ischemic strokes, which…

Whole grains help cut insulin and cholesterol levels

Whole-grain foods, such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal and brown rice, may lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer by reducing cholesterol and making the…

High-sodium diet may boost heart failure risk

A new study suggests that overweight people who consume a high-salt diet may be at greater risk of congestive heart failure compared with their peers who consume lower levels of sodium.…

No amount of trans fat is safe, say experts

Pastry and fried food lovers beware! According to a report from the Institute of Medicine there is no level of trans fatty acids that is safe to consume. The report is likely to lead the US…