As we get older, taking care of our heart becomes increasingly important. One number worth paying attention to on your blood test is triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood. Your body uses them for energy, but when levels get too high, they can increase your risk of heart disease and other health problems. The good news? Your everyday food choices can make a difference. Here are eight foods that may help support healthier triglyceride levels, especially i

Have you ever finished a meal and felt that uncomfortable burning in your chest or throat? If so, you’re not alone. Heartburn and acid reflux can make enjoying your favorite foods a challenge. The good news is that some everyday foods may help ease digestive discomfort. While no food can guarantee immediate relief, making smart choices at mealtime may help you feel more comfortable. Here are eight foods worth considering, especially if heartburn has become more common as you

If you’re over 50, you’ve probably heard your doctor talk about blood pressure more than once. That’s because blood pressure tends to become more important with age. Keeping it in a healthy range can help protect your heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels. Medication may be part of the answer for many people. So are regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and watching your sodium intake. Current American

Managing your blood pressure is one of the most important things you can do to protect your heart, maintain your energy, and enjoy your retirement years to the fullest. While most of us know that eating too much salt or skipping our medication can cause numbers to creep up, you might be surprised to learn that several ordinary, everyday routines could also be quietly pushing your blood pressure higher. Let’s look at a few common habits that could be affecting your cardiova

As we get older, taking care of our heart becomes even more important. The good news is that eating for heart health doesn't have to mean giving up everything you enjoy. In fact, some of the foods cardiologists eat regularly are simple, affordable, and easy to add to everyday meals. Here are three heart-friendly food combinations that doctors themselves enjoy. 1. Nuts and Raisins: A Simple Snack If you need something to eat between meals, try a small handful of unsalted nuts

Getting older can bring some changes you expect: You may tire more easily, slow down a little, or find that stairs aren't as easy as they once were. But some changes deserve more attention. Heart failure doesn't mean your heart has stopped. It means the heart isn't pumping blood as effectively as it should. The condition can develop gradually, and some of its earliest symptoms can look like ordinary signs of aging. For adults over 50, knowing what to watch for can make it eas

When it comes to monitoring your health, most people keep track of familiar numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. But there is another important measurement that is easy to check and may provide valuable clues about your overall well-being: your resting heart rate. Your resting heart rate is more than just a number. It can offer insight into how efficiently your heart is working and may help identify changes in your health before they become bigger concerns. W

If you're over 50, you've probably heard plenty of advice about eating healthier, exercising more, and getting better sleep. But new research suggests that when you eat may be just as important as what you eat. According to a recent study from researchers at Northwestern Medicine, finishing your last meal at least three hours before bedtime—and giving your body about a 12-hour break from food overnight—may improve several important markers of heart and metabolic health. The b

We spend a lifetime working, providing, and solving problems, but sometimes the biggest threat to our future is one we cannot see coming. After all, we've spent decades working, raising families, paying taxes, and taking care of everyone else. But one thing experience teaches is that ignoring a problem rarely makes it disappear. High blood pressure is one of those quiet health issues that often gives no warning at all. You can feel perfectly fine while damage is slowly being

For many Americans over 50, staying healthy isn't about chasing the latest health trend—it's about making practical choices that keep you active, independent, and able to enjoy life with your family. While genetics play a role, many of the biggest threats to heart health come down to everyday decisions. The good news is that small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference. Quit Tobacco—It's Never Too Late If you smoke or use tobacco, quitting remains one of the smar

When you hit 50, you start realizing something your parents probably tried to tell you all along: your health isn't built by miracle pills or the latest social media trend. It's built by the small decisions you make every single day. We've become a culture obsessed with shortcuts. Every week there's a new "life hack" promising to fix everything from weight loss to heart disease. The truth is much less exciting—but far more reliable. Good health comes from consistency, discipl

After age 50, keeping cholesterol in a healthy range becomes even more important. As we get older, our risk of heart disease naturally increases, but everyday food choices can make a meaningful difference. While medication is the right choice for many people, a heart-healthy diet remains one of the most effective ways to support healthy cholesterol levels and protect your cardiovascular health. The key isn't eliminating entire food groups—it's adding more foods that naturally

High blood pressure becomes more common with age, but taking medication isn't the only way to manage it. For many adults over 50, healthy lifestyle changes can make a meaningful difference—especially when high blood pressure is caught early. The key is understanding when lifestyle improvements may be enough and when medication remains an important part of treatment. Lifestyle Changes Can Have a Big Impact According to cardiologists, people with mildly elevated blood pressure

Bananas are notoriously high in potassium, an electrolyte that’s important for fluid balance, nerve impulses and muscle contractions. It’s why they’re often handed out at the end of races, sports games or other high-traffic areas for a group of sweaty people. But bananas do more for the body than replenish electrolytes after working out. For example, bananas help support healthy blood pressure when eaten regularly because the potassium it contains helps the body get rid of e

The Bigger Picture You've probably heard to watch the amount of salt you eat, especially if you're concerned about your blood pressure. That's because it makes your body hold on to water, putting extra stress on your heart and blood vessels. Salt -- and worry, and anger -- aren't the only things that can raise your blood pressure. Although temporary "spikes" aren't necessarily a problem, numbers that remain high over time can cause serious damage. Added Sugar It may be even m

If you have ever tossed and turned under heavy blankets, you’ve felt firsthand how being too warm can wreck your sleep. “Temperature is one of the most underappreciated factors in sleep,” said Joseph Dzierzewski, senior vice president of research and scientific affairs at the National Sleep Foundation. “We often hear about light, screens and stress, but even modest changes in temperature and airflow can influence how quickly you fall asleep and how deeply you stay asleep.” Yo

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and factors like high blood pressure, elevated LDL cholesterol and chronic inflammation all increase your risk. While habits like regular movement and eating a balanced diet matter most for long-term heart health, the small choices you make in the kitchen—like the herbs you reach for—can support those efforts. Among the many herbs used in everyday cooking, cilantro stands out for its mix of phytosterols, carot

Eating eggs regularly usually doesn't raise blood pressure in most healthy adults. Their impact depends largely on how many eggs you eat, what you eat with them, and your current health status. 1. Eggs Don’t Directly Raise Blood Pressure in Most People Eggs themselves are not high in sodium, one of the main dietary risk factors for hypertension ( high blood pressure ). One large egg contains roughly 60 milligrams (mg) of sodium—a relatively small portion of the optimal adul

The percentage of American adults who smoke cigarettes has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded, according to a new study. About 9.9% of U.S. adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2024, a drop from 10.8% in 2023, according to an analysis of National Health Interview Survey data published Tuesday in the journal NEJM Evidence. The findings mark the first time the adult smoking rate in the U.S. has fallen to the single digits, a milestone public health officials have pursu

Frozen meals may be convenient, but they can also affect your health. An occasional frozen meal can help ease the burden of weekly meal planning, but relying on them too often may harm your health. 1. You May Consume Too Much Sodium Frozen meals tend to be higher in sodium. Sodium helps preserve food and enhance flavor. Frozen meals generally contain at least 400 milligrams (mg) of sodium per serving, which can quickly add up, especially if the meal is more than one serving.