Once-weekly interval walking may be as effective as exercising three times weekly for reducing body fat and improving fitness in adults with central obesity. A new study suggests that getting fit may not require squeezing in workouts several times a week after all. Researchers at the School of Public Health at the LKS Faculty of [...]

Substantial heart health benefits may require 560-610 minutes of weekly exercise, with lower fitness individuals needing even more activity to achieve similar protection. Adults may need far more exercise than current public health guidelines recommend to significantly lower their risk of heart attack and stroke, according to an observational study published online in the British [...]

A major international trial suggests an experimental anti-clotting drug may lower the risk of repeat strokes without the dangerous bleeding complications tied to many current treatments. For decades, stroke specialists have faced a frustrating tradeoff: stronger anti-clotting drugs can reduce the risk of another stroke, but they also raise the danger of serious bleeding. Now, [...]

A new AI blood test may forecast major cardiovascular disease risks years before clinical onset by reading real-time molecular signals in the body. A research team from the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) has created a new AI-powered tool for predicting cardiovascular [...]

Researchers analyzing more than 340,000 adults uncovered an intriguing pattern linking alcohol type with long-term health outcomes. For decades, scientists have debated whether some alcoholic drinks are “healthier” than others. While heavy drinking is widely known to raise the risk of serious diseases and early death, the effects of lighter drinking have remained far less [...]

New research indicates that low-dose digoxin may provide significant benefits for heart failure patients. A low dose of digoxin may help people with heart failure avoid hospitalization and reduce their risk of death, according to three studies led by UMCG cardiologists Dirk Jan van Veldhuisen, Kevin Damman, and Peter van der Meer. The researchers believe [...]

Heart experts say ultra-processed foods could be quietly fueling a global rise in heart disease and early death. A growing body of research is linking ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption to a higher risk of heart disease and death, according to a new report published in the European Heart Journal. The report combines findings from studies [...]

Lacunar stroke may arise from damage in the brain’s small blood vessels rather than fatty plaque in larger arteries, pointing researchers toward new treatment strategies. Scientists have found new evidence that calls into question a long-standing explanation for a common form of stroke, and it may help clarify why standard prevention treatments often fall short. [...]

A little-known inherited cholesterol particle called Lp(a) may explain some unexplained heart risk and is becoming a major target for new treatments. Most people know about “good” and “bad” cholesterol — but there’s another type that often goes undetected and could quietly raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes, even in otherwise healthy people. [...]

Prolonged sitting harms metabolism, circulation, and posture, even in active people. Reducing sitting time with regular movement can improve health and lower disease risk. For decades, public health campaigns have warned about the dangers of smoking. Now, researchers are increasingly concerned about another common habit that may also harm long-term health: spending too much time [...]

A simple positioning mistake during a blood pressure check could quietly alter the results. That quick blood pressure check at the doctor’s office may not be as accurate as you think. According to research from Johns Hopkins Medicine, something as simple as where you rest your arm during the test can significantly raise the reading [...]

A new experimental drug lowered blood pressure and sharply reduced signs of kidney damage in people with chronic kidney disease. Baxdrostat, an investigational pill designed to block production of the hormone aldosterone, showed encouraging results in people facing a difficult and dangerous combination: chronic kidney disease and uncontrolled high blood pressure. In a Phase 2 [...]

Scientists in Japan say a common supplement may actually help “unclog” certain diseased heart arteries from the inside out. A simple food supplement sold in Japan may have helped reverse a dangerous form of heart disease that often resists standard treatment, according to researchers at Osaka University. The findings, originally published in the European Heart [...]

Research suggests that structured psychological interventions may influence cardiovascular health in measurable ways. A few minutes of daily mental training may do more than improve mood. According to a recent research review, practices such as mindfulness, gratitude journaling, and optimism exercises can produce measurable changes in cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure and…

For the first time, scientists have shown that heart muscle cells can regrow after a heart attack in humans, a process that had previously only been observed in mice. Groundbreaking work led by specialists from the University of Sydney, the Baird Institute, and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney has found that heart muscle [...]

Researchers highlight fructose’s distinct role in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other chronic diseases. A popular sweetener found in everything from sodas to processed snacks may be doing more than just adding calories. A new report in Nature Metabolism highlights the distinct and often overlooked role of fructose, a simple sugar naturally found in fruit and [...]

A common sleep supplement may carry unexpected risks when used long-term. Melatonin has long been marketed as a gentle, “natural” way to improve sleep. But new research is raising questions about what happens when people rely on it for years. A large international analysis of more than 130,000 adults with chronic insomnia found that those [...]

New findings reveal a potential connection between serotonin activity and the progression of a widespread heart valve disorder. Serotonin is best known for its role in mood, but new research suggests it may also influence how certain heart valve diseases progress. A large multicenter study has found that this common brain chemical could contribute to [...]

ApoB testing outperforms traditional cholesterol measures in preventing heart attacks and strokes while remaining cost-effective. It more accurately identifies risk, leading to better treatment decisions. A common blood test used by millions of people in the U.S. each year to measure “bad” cholesterol may not be the most reliable tool for guiding treatment or preventing [...]

A recent study explores how a simple dietary addition may influence cardiovascular function in individuals with prediabetes. For the 98 million Americans living with prediabetes, everyday food choices can quietly shape long-term heart health. New research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association points to an unexpected option: pairing avocado with mango. In [...]

A hidden effect of statins on muscle cells may explain why some patients cannot tolerate them. For millions of people, statins are a daily safeguard against heart attacks and strokes. But for about 1 in 10 users, these widely prescribed drugs come with an unexpected tradeoff—persistent muscle pain, fatigue, and weakness that can be severe [...]

Just a few breathless minutes a day could be a powerful shield against major diseases. Spending just a few minutes each day doing vigorous physical activity may significantly reduce the risk of developing eight major diseases, including arthritis, heart disease, and dementia, according to research published in the European Heart Journal on March 30. To [...]

A new RNA-based therapy aims to address one of cardiology’s most persistent challenges: the heart’s inability to regenerate after injury. After a heart attack, restoring blood flow is often only part of the battle. Even when blocked arteries are reopened, the heart is left with permanent damage because lost muscle cells do not grow back. [...]

One morning in May 2019, a cardiac surgeon stepped into the operating room at Boston Children’s Hospital more prepared than ever before to perform a high-risk procedure to rebuild a child’s heart. The surgeon was experienced, but he had an additional advantage: He had already performed the procedure on this child dozens of times—virtually. He knew exactly what to do before the first cut…

Research Highlights Fat stored around the waist, often called belly fat or visceral fat, showed a much stronger link to heart failure risk than body mass index (BMI), making waist size a more revealing measure of risk. Inflammation throughout the body emerged as a major factor connecting abdominal fat to heart failure, accounting for roughly [...]

Eating more ultra-processed foods sharply raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death, with each serving adding to the danger. People who regularly ate large amounts of ultra-processed foods faced a much greater risk of serious heart problems, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26). Those consuming [...]

A newly identified brainstem mechanism linking breathing and blood pressure may help explain certain forms of hypertension and point toward new treatment strategies targeting oxygen-sensing cells in the neck. Scientists have identified a region of the brain that may contribute to high blood pressure. The lateral parafacial region is located in the brainstem, the most [...]

Achieving remission from prediabetes dramatically reduces the risk of heart disease and other major cardiovascular events. Lowering blood sugar levels dramatically reduces the risk of serious heart problems in people with prediabetes. Research from King’s College London, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, shows that restoring blood glucose levels to a normal range, effectively [...]

A new study suggests that widely used GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may do more than improve metabolic health: they could also protect the heart after a heart attack. Doctors can often reopen the blocked artery that triggers a heart attack, but that is not always the end of the crisis inside the heart muscle. A new [...]

New research by Cleveland Clinic and Dyania Health demonstrates how a medically trained large language model system can accurately and efficiently screen electronic medical records (EMRs) to identify patients who are eligible for a rare disease clinical trial. Published in The Journal of Cardiac Failure, the study offers real-world evidence that artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled medical chart…