Cardiovascular Health

Long-term use of melatonin, a widely used sleep supplement, was linked to a higher risk of heart failure, hospitalization for heart failure, and death from any cause among people with chronic insomnia, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025. The findings do not prove that melatonin itself caused the increased … [Read more...]

Eating one avocado each day may modestly reduce heart disease risk in adults with obesity, according to new research led by scientists in the Penn State Department of Nutritional Sciences. The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology. The researchers found that daily avocado consumption was linked to a lower concentration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) … [Read more...]

Millions of Americans have a blood test every year to measure LDL, often called "bad" cholesterol. But new research from Northwestern Medicine suggests that another test may do a better job of identifying who needs more aggressive treatment to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The study, published in JAMA, found that measuring apolipoprotein B (apoB) was more … [Read more...]

Eating more legumes and soy foods may help lower the risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a large new analysis published in the open access journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. Researchers found that people who regularly consumed foods such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, edamame, and soy milk were less likely to develop hypertension. The … [Read more...]

High levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream can lead to hypercholesterolemia, a condition that damages arteries and raises the risk of heart disease. Now, researchers from the University of Barcelona and the University of Oregon have developed a promising new approach to control cholesterol levels, offering a potential new way to combat atherosclerosis, which occurs when … [Read more...]

Eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods may significantly increase the risk of serious heart problems, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26). People who consumed more than nine servings per day were 67% more likely to experience major cardiac events compared with those who ate about one serving daily. … [Read more...]

For the first time since 2018, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have released updated clinical guidance on how to screen for and manage blood cholesterol. The recommendations were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation and were presented March 28 at the American College of Cardiology's 75th Annual … [Read more...]

Eating mostly oatmeal for just two days may significantly reduce cholesterol, according to a clinical trial from the University of Bonn published in Nature Communications. The study focused on people with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that includes excess body weight, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and abnormal blood lipid levels. Participants followed … [Read more...]

Researchers at Northwestern Medicine explored whether timing an overnight fast to match a person's natural sleep wake cycle could improve heart and metabolic health. The circadian rhythm plays a central role in regulating cardiovascular and metabolic function. Importantly, participants did not reduce calories. The focus was entirely on adjusting when they ate. The study … [Read more...]

A research team at the University of California, Riverside has found that routine exposure to microplastics -- tiny pieces released from packaging, fabrics, and common consumer plastics -- may speed up the formation of atherosclerosis, the artery-narrowing condition associated with heart attacks and strokes. The effect appeared only in male mice, offering new insight into how … [Read more...]

Exposure to artificial light at night appears to trigger stress in the brain and inflammation in the arteries, raising heart disease risk. Researchers say even modest light increases could have long-term cardiovascular consequences. Nighttime Light and Heart Health A preliminary analysis to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 found … [Read more...]

As a wound heals, it goes through several stages: clotting to stop bleeding, immune system response, scabbing, and scarring. A wearable device called "a-Heal," designed by engineers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, aims to optimize each stage of the process. The system uses a tiny camera and AI to detect the stage of healing and deliver a treatment in the form … [Read more...]

Excessive amounts of visceral fat -- the hidden fat surrounding organs -- is linked with faster aging of the heart, a new study has found. Aging is the biggest risk factor for heart disease, but why some people age faster than others isn't fully understood. The scientists leading the research say that visceral body fat could play an important role in accelerating aging of … [Read more...]

When exposed to heat, the body may struggle to function normally, potentially resulting in serious cardiovascular issues. To cool down, the body increases blood flow to the skin, leading to higher heart rates and increased cardiac workloads. The resultant increase in strain on the heart can pose a significant risk for vulnerable groups, including older adults and individuals … [Read more...]

When they become fathers, men who have an unhealthy, high-cholesterol diet can cause increased risk of cardiovascular disease, or CVD, in their daughters, a University of California, Riverside-led mouse study has found. The research, published in the journal JCI Insight, is the first to demonstrate this result seen only in female offspring. CVD, the leading cause of death … [Read more...]