Low levels of lead exposure may increase risk for hard-to-treat hypertension, a Boston study finds.

National analysis highlights the risks and benefits of tighter blood pressure guidelines.

Pregnant women with conditions like preeclampsia face increased risk for stroke both during and after delivery.

Study finds that the Mediterranean diet reduces cardiovascular risk by minimizing inflammation, controlling blood sugar and promoting a healthy weight.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps protect against heart failure and improve outcomes, explain experts.

This year's most read patient summaries worth a second look.

Fine particulate matter is unhealthy for all but especially for women with diabetes.

Having a heart defect at birth also means up to 12 times higher risk of stroke than the general population.

You’re never too old to exercise, according to a study linking regular physical activity to reduced risk for heart attack, stroke and death in adults over 75.

Having a positive attitude may be an important part of recovery.

Not taking cholesterol-lowering statins as prescribed means higher risk for heart attack and death.

Maintaining one’s fitness level is the key to a lower risk profile.

Switching from one language to another stimulates the brain and is likely to help with improved brain function after stroke.

Leading an active, healthy life may be one of the best things you can do for your heart health today and in the future. Learn how!

Simple lifestyle choices can go a long way toward feeling your best with atrial fibrillation.

While low vitamin D levels are associated with high blood pressure, supplements are not enough to effectively lower blood pressure.

Gender differences in the safety and efficacy of heart drugs are widely overlooked despite women having increased risk of complications.

A diet rich in olive oil and nuts may improve brain function and reduce risk for dementia.

Study finds that by the age of 17, most obese teens are facing potential heart problems later in life.

Contrary to the old saying, a study finds that while regular apple consumption does not reduce the use of health care services, there are other benefits.

In this study, benefits from a daily glass of wine included less depression and inflammation and a better perception of one’s health.

Despite the known benefits of cardiac rehab, many hospitals do not refer patients to this important follow-up care after PCI.

Addressing sleep apnea may be the key to treating many patients with high blood pressure.

Heart disease and insulin resistance are linked, but the latter does not need to be accounted for in heart risk calculations.

A review of research on this topic finds gaps in care and stresses early education for girls.

Air pollution may cause the brain to age more quickly and impact its structure.

Proposed changes to our physical and social environments encourage regular physical activity for Americans throughout the course of the day.

Talk with your health care team about your risk for stroke, especially if you already have heart disease. Know the warning signs.

A recent scientific statement highlights the importance of managing heart defects in older adults.

New data will help patients better understand risks tied to factors like age, gender and existing medical conditions.

Grip strength is a simple and affordable way to assess health, including risk for heart disease and stroke.

Study finds potassium, not salt, is most strongly associated with blood pressure levels in children.

Being fit could delay the development of high cholesterol by up to fifteen years.

When patients are well-educated about the decision, fewer decide to undergo the procedure.

Staying fit reduces risk for atrial fibrillation.

3–D testing finds nearly two-thirds of healthy, middle-aged adults have early signs of heart disease.

Research findings warn against ignoring depressive symptoms in this population already at greater risk for the condition.

The benefits of healthy choices carry long into older adulthood.

Summary

Traffic noise increases risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

Mexico and the United States top the list of populations most affected by sugar-sweetened beverage related deaths.

Neighborhood access to healthy food and physical activity has a big impact on risk for type 2 diabetes.

Moderate chocolate consumption helps, not harms, cardiovascular health.

For women with congenital heart disease, meeting with specialists, risk assessment and counseling are essential when considering pregnancy.

It takes more than weight and height to accurately measure body fat and assess heart health, say experts.

Traumatic events like physical assault and childhood abuse are linked to a nearly 50% increased risk for heart attack or stroke.

High cholesterol is especially common among Latinos, yet only half of this population is aware of the condition.

One-third of Americans has a cluster of risk factors putting them at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes, based on a review of national surveys from the last decade.

Your heart has four valves and problems can arise when one or more of the valves aren't opening or closing properly. Read this helpful guide to learn everything you need to know about valve disease.

This series of live programs provides educational and peer-support resources on heart failure for patients and caregivers.

Study finds low-dose aspirin is just as effective and carries less risk of complications than high-dose aspirin in heart attack patients.

Study findings highlight the need for increased screening for mental health and better treatment for conditions like depression.

Improving the nutritional value of meals helped curb obesity rates in California schools, but low-income areas didn’t experience longer-term benefits.

Rewards-based programs are much more appealing than deposit-based programs, which require smokers to risk their own money.

Creating a quit plan and providing tools for ongoing support is more effective than education alone in helping smokers quit.

Study finds that drinking alcohol causes changes in heart size and function, especially in elderly women.

Findings suggest that the lifestyle factors that come with higher income can reduce risk for heart attack and stroke.

Recognizing the signs of a genetic disorder called familial hypercholesterolemia adds decades to lives.

Multi-country study finds that cereal fiber has the greatest impact on diabetes risk.

Study highlights the benefits of exercise and sports in middle-aged adults, as well as CPR training.

Early lifestyle interventions are urgently needed to stop growing childhood obesity rates.

Contrary to current guidelines, exercise may not be problematic for children with this congenital heart condition.

Breathing device used at night helps cut AFib episodes in half, according to a review of recent studies.

One or two drinks a day may help protect the heart, according to a study of more than 33,000 Swedish men.

This series of live programs provides educational and peer-support resources on AFib for patients and caregivers.

Two large-scale studies take a close look at meeting or exceeding current exercise guidelines, but one thing is clear: Any physical activity is far better than none.

Even women who remarried had 35% greater heart attack risk than those who were continuously married.

Maintaining a sense of purpose as we age imparts important health benefits.

Study links fluctuation in LDL levels and the likelihood of a heart event.

Quitting is the best approach for the health of the family, but limiting children’s exposure to smoke can help.

Traumatic experiences in childhood impact heart health by causing higher blood pressure earlier in life.

Finnish study assesses the effects of Vitamin D and strength training in women prone to falling.

More evidence points to sitting as a contributor to heart disease risk.

Exercise is not only safe but improves heart health of patients with ICDs, says study.

Shedding 10% of body weight promotes a regular heartbeat and minimizes symptoms in patients living with AFib.

Study finds patients 65 or older discharged from the hospital as early as 48 hours after angioplasty following a heart attack have similar outcomes as those who stay four-to-five days.

Both low- and high-impact exercise help us lose weight, but each provides different types of added benefits.

Experts highlight important steps for reducing risk for heart attack and stroke in patients with high blood pressure.

With appropriate follow-up, eligible patients released the same day do just as well as those kept overnight.

New research highlights heart-health benefits of cholesterol-lowering medications.

More conservative therapy isn’t necessarily the best option in older patients experiencing chest pain or heart attack.

The humble legume offers heart-health benefits on par with more expensive nuts.

Preventing obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes could delay development of heart failure by up to 13 years.

Women who develop diseases of the heart muscle during pregnancy have the greatest risk of complications.

Study addresses the benefits of adding blood thinner ticagrelor to a preventive daily aspirin regimen.

Cardiac CT helps doctors diagnose heart disease more accurately than standard exams, says study.

Virtual medical consultations enable care from specialists in areas without comprehensive stroke centers.

3-D imaging and stress tests work equally well in assessing chest pain, says study.

Addressing early signs of frailty could help ward off heart conditions later in life.

Using the patch longer than six months has no added benefit for quitting smoking.

Women having heart attacks take longer to seek help and face greater risk of death than men.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is underdiagnosed and may be more common than previously estimated.

Not smoking after heart surgery reduces risk of heart attack, stroke and death.

Researchers explore the uptake of a preventive heart disease medicine.

Study analyzes benefits of treatment for moderate to severe depression with and without statins.

Using electronic health records to identify and support low-income smokers highlights the ability to reduce disparities and improve public health.

New study identifies several new smoking-related diseases, increasing the death toll from cigarette smoking.

Stress helps explain differences in heart attack outcomes among men and women.

Varenicline (Chantix) offers an effective treatment option for smokers that want to gradually kick the habit.

Study follows sauna bathers for over two decades and finds lower rates of sudden cardiac death among most frequent users.