Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition that blocks the airways and makes it hard to breathe. More than 12 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD. Millions more people may have it and just don’t know it yet. It’s common to think that the symptoms of COPD, like shortness of breath and fatigue, are normal signs of aging. Because of this, the disease may have grown serious by the time someone goes to a doctor to discuss their s

A recent study builds on existing evidence that sleeping in less than complete darkness can be detrimental to health, specifically damaging the cardiovascular system. Sleeping while exposed to higher levels of light was associated with stress-related brain activity known to cause arterial inflammation throughout the body. Such inflammation raises the likelihood of a heart attack and stroke. After 10 years, 17% of the study participants had developed major cardiovascular issu

Creatine is an amino acid (a building block of protein) that your body produces in small amounts, with an additional supply coming from diet. For optimal health, it's recommended to get 3 to 5 grams (g) of creatine from food daily, with typical sources being red meat, poultry, and seafood. 1. Beef Creatine: 0.5 g per 4 ounces Beef is a red meat considered one of the most complete sources of protein. Other types of red meat are pork and lamb. The exact creatine content will va

You probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about your circulatory system. And when everything is working properly, you don’t need to. Blood flows freely and efficiently throughout your body, carrying oxygen as well as infection-fighting white blood cells, nutrients, and hormones. But when you have poor circulation, it’s a different story. Circulation issues—in this case, we’re talking specifically about when blood flow is restricted—can cause a host of problems. The most

Did you know that someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States? It’s true—and the risk gets higher with age. The average heart attack age for men is 65, and 72 is the average age for women. Of course, you’ve probably heard advice before for how to prevent a heart attack. And it probably goes something like this: Be active, give up hamburgers and fries, and stop smoking if you smoke. “Those are the three mainstays,” says Nick Ruthmann, M.D., a cardiologist

Even an occasional cigarette can endanger a person’s health and increase their risk of cardiovascular disease , according to a new study. Researchers report that people who smoke as few as two cigarettes per day have a 57% higher risk of heart failure and a 60% higher risk of death from any cause. They add that a person’s health risks decline significantly in the decade after quitting smoking. However, the researchers note that a former smoker can still have increased health

Cardiac arrhythmias can produce a range of symptoms—from very mild, like lightheadedness, to life-threatening, including cardiac arrest. These can be divided into a “classic” group of symptoms that are highly (though not exclusively) indicative of cardiac arrhythmia and an “other” group of symptoms that are just as likely to be caused by an arrhythmia as something else. But many times, much to patients' surprise, cardiac arrhythmias may not produce any symptoms at all. This i

High cholesterol can raise blood pressure because it contributes to plaque build-up in your arteries (atherosclerosis). High blood pressure can occur as a result of your heart having to work harder to pump blood. How High Cholesterol Influences High Blood Pressure High cholesterol influences blood pressure by causing changes in your arteries. When LDL (bad cholesterol) builds up in your bloodstream, it forms into plaque that thickens the inner vessel walls, causing your arter

For as long as the human race has lived on this planet, meat has been a part of our diets . And although there are more vegetarians and vegans nowadays, Americans continue to consume high volumes of meat. As Ipsos reported in 2021, 89% of Americans include meat as part of their diets. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) said in 2021 that between 63% and 74% of people eat red or processed meat every day. And interestingly, just 12% of Americans eat half the nation’s b

Have you ever heard someone say that they like long walks on the beach? If so, they might have already uncovered one of the many secrets to longevity. Adults who walk for longer periods, which researchers defined as longer than 10 minutes, had substantially lower risks of cardiovascular disease and premature death when compared to those participants who walk for shorter periods, according to a study published Monday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. “Most studies fo

Long-term use of melatonin supplements may be linked with a higher risk of heart failure, according to new research — but does that mean people taking it as a sleep aid should stop using it now? In a review of electronic medical records, thousands of adults who had chronic insomnia and took melatonin for a year or longer had a 90% higher chance of heart failure over the next five years, compared with participants who had the same health factors but didn’t take melatonin. Mela

Feeling breathless — a tightness in the chest or having trouble getting enough air — is called dyspnea. Although it’s common as you age, having trouble breathing shouldn’t be dismissed as just part of getting older. Shortness of breath isn’t a disease itself, but a symptom of other health conditions. How your heart and lungs function contribute to shortness of breath. Both organs work together to move oxygen and remove carbon dioxide all throughout your body. If either one ca

Nuts have long been linked to heart health, and new research continues to explore how they might help protect against heart disease. Researchers wanted to know how regular nut consumption affects heart health over time. Their new study offers a clearer look than earlier research thanks to a larger, more diverse group of participants and a longer follow-up period. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Ischemic heart disease—a type caused by nar

Did you know that someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States? It’s true—and the risk gets higher with age. The average heart attack age for men is 65, and 72 is the average age for women. Of course, you’ve probably heard advice before for how to prevent a heart attack. And it probably goes something like this: Be active, give up hamburgers and fries, and stop smoking if you smoke. “Those are the three mainstays,” says Nick Ruthmann, M.D., a cardiologist

Vitamins to avoid if you have high blood pressure include arnica, Panax ginseng, guarana, licorice root, and St. John's wort. These...

Cardiologists experience heart attacks, too, and they can be surprised by the symptoms that lead up to the health crisis. Dr. William...

Cholesterol levels often rise in your 40s, 50s, and beyond, even if they were previously normal — and especially if you’re not paying...

Too Much of a Sometimes-Good Thing Your body needs some inflammation to fight infection and speed healing. But too much for too long can...

Most heart palpitations are short-lived, don’t come with other symptoms and can be managed at home. “If you feel a change in your...

Your personality can impact everything from relationships to work success. It can also be a factor in heart health. Type A personality —...

Heart disease is a serious health condition. It’s the leading cause of death for people in the United States. You may not be able to...

Heart health is increasingly at risk, not due to a single cause, but a combination of lifestyle factors that often go unnoticed and...

The symptoms that may occur in the month before a heart attack—known as prodromal symptoms—are similar to the symptoms that can occur...

Certain everyday habits could be spiking your blood pressure without you even realizing it. These small, often overlooked behaviors can...

Exercise is famously good for the mind and body. But what type of physical activity is best to reduce your risk of a heart attack?...

In the last decade, butter consumption in the United States has surpassed that of margarine for the first time since the 1950s. From...

Blood pressure may change with age, potentially increasing cardiovascular disease risk, but there are things you can do to treat and...

Foods high in sodium may not always be so easy to spot. Even if you never reach for the salt shaker, you probably eat more sodium than...

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is common, affecting over half of people in the United States over age 40. The most common type is...

Managing your cholesterol levels is important, as high cholesterol can be a key risk factor for cardiovascular events like heart attack...

Poor circulation, or peripheral artery disease (PAD), typically results from plaque buildup in the arteries. Over time, this buildup can...

For the majority of people, coffee is part of their daily routine. It provides the energy boost you need to kick-start your day (hello,...

Take heart: What's on your plate can help maintain your cardiac capacity. "Heart-healthy foods contain nutrients that have been shown to...

Carcinogens are substances or agents that can cause cancer. These can occur in nature, such as with ultraviolet radiation and some...

Synthetic chemicals called phthalates, found in consumer products such as food storage containers, shampoo, makeup, perfume and...

Not such good news for butter lovers like myself: seesawing research on how healthy or unhealthy butter might be received a firm push...

Cayenne pepper is an orange to red pepper from the fruiting plant Capsicum annuum . It is a member of the nightshade family ( Solanaceae...

If price were no object and you were in the market for a vehicle that's going to perform better, for longer, which would you choose? 1. A...

When hypertension symptoms are present, they include dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, and nosebleeds. But often, these and...

Heart diseases impact how blood pumps and circulates within the body. When a healthcare provider says that you have heart disease, they...

The most common cause of clogged arteries is atherosclerosis , which is plaque buildup in the arteries. Lifestyle factors, such as diet...

Lately, it seems like everyone wants more protein on their plates. And for good reason. Protein helps build muscles, bones, enzymes,...

What Is Salt? Salt is a seasoning that can flavor food and act as a preservative. It’s about 60% chloride and about 40% sodium. Nearly...

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S., highlighting the importance of staying on top of your heart...

We’d all love to roll out of bed to the sound of birds chirping and a few minutes of peaceful meditation, but responsibilities like...

The symptoms that may occur in the month before a heart attack —known as prodromal symptoms—are similar to the symptoms that can occur...

A balanced diet containing nonacidic fruits, vegetables, lean protein sources, and probiotic-rich foods may help relieve heartburn...

The benefits More time to exercise If working out is important to you, but you struggle to find the time, getting up early may work for...

Heart failure means the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Risk factors include lifestyle behaviors, like...

How do you approach a condition you may not know you have? That's the question doctors want to help the many Americans living with...