Heart Disease Archive

A study comparing the hearts of apes with four different groups of men demonstrates how the heart adapts over a person’s lifetime depending on what exercise a person does (or doesn’t do). The most revealing part of the findings pertained to men who are generally not active.

An analysis of research suggests those who run regularly –– regardless of pace, distance, or amount of time –– are more likely to live longer and have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease or cancer.

There is good evidence that the more you drink, the more likely you are to develop atrial fibrillation. A study found that people with afib who were willing to abstain from alcohol were less likely to have a recurrence.

In the journals

High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, have long been associated with a greater risk of heart disease. Yet, research has shown that about 75% of heart attack sufferers do not have dangerously high LDL levels.

A study published Nov. 18, 2019, in the International Journal of Nanomedicine looked closer at this issue. Researchers found that high amounts of a subclass of LDL may be a stronger predictor of potential heart problems than overall LDL levels.

Research we're watching

If you drink alcohol to excess, you may be doing damage to heart tissue, even if you don't have symptoms, according to a study published in the Dec. 18, 2019, Journal of the American Heart Association.

Researchers analyzed blood samples from more than 2,500 adults ages 35 to 69 who had participated in a heart study. Most of the samples studied came from the general population in northwest Russia; these were compared with nearly 300 people being treated for alcohol-use disorder at a Russian hospital. Study authors categorized the general population group as harmful drinkers, hazardous drinkers, non-problem drinkers, and nondrinkers, based on their self-reported drinking habits. Investigators then examined the blood samples for specific biomarkers that can indicate three specific heart problems: a heart injury, stretching of the cardiac wall, and increased inflammation.

Your salt shaker usually isn't the worst culprit. Instead, check your condiments, sauces, and spice blends, many of which are high in sodium.

For decades, health experts — especially cardiologists — have been telling people to eat less sodium, one of the main components of salt. Most Americans still consume far too much of this mineral, which raises blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.

Despite these warnings, the average sodium intake in this country is around 3,200 milligrams (mg) per day. That's about 30% more than is recommended by the federal dietary guidelines, which advise people to limit their daily sodium to 2,300 mg. And it's more than twice the target suggested by the American Heart Association of 1,500 mg per day.

Primary care providers can help people manage their blood pressure and cholesterol. But those with additional risks for heart disease should consider consulting a cardiologist.

Seeing a cardiologist is standard practice after you've experienced a heart attack or other serious heart problem. But in certain situations, you may want to consult a physician who specializes in managing heart disease even if you haven't had a heart-related scare.

"We encourage people with a family history of premature heart disease or who have many risk factors for heart disease to consider an evaluation by a cardiologist," explains cardiologist Dr. Michelle O'Donoghue, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. A premature heart attack is one that occurs before age 55 in a man or before age 65 in a woman. If you have a parent or sibling who falls into that category, make sure your primary care provider knows, as your odds of heart disease are higher than average.

Genetic advances are improving the recognition and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The term "heart disease" often refers to plaque-filled heart arteries that can lead to a heart attack. More accurately described as coronary artery disease, it's by far the most common and best known type of heart disease. Most people are far less familiar with the most common inherited form of heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which affects the heart muscle rather than its arteries.

HCM is thought to affect one in 500 people. It's far more common than better known diseases such as multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis. But HCM can be tricky to diagnose. "In the clinic, we suspect hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in people who have unexplained thickening of the heart muscle seen on an echocardiogram," says Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Christine Seidman. Other conditions, such as longstanding high blood pressure, can also cause the heart to enlarge. Because high blood pressure is so common, it's sometimes mistakenly blamed for the signs of HCM in older people, she says. In younger people, HCM is sometimes misdiagnosed as exercise-induced asthma or anxiety.

These shiny, reddish or golden-brown seeds are the richest natural source of alpha linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that's also found in soybean oil, canola oil, and walnuts. Because our bodies can't make omega-3 fats, we must get them from food. The other main omega-3s, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found mainly in fatty fish. Nutrition experts recommend getting at least one rich source of omega-3 fats daily. So if you don't eat fish, flaxseeds are a good option.

Flaxseeds, which have a slightly nutty taste, contain other healthful nutrients, including protein, fiber, and lignans (plant chemicals with antioxidant effects). Small studies suggest that consuming whole or ground flaxseeds may lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Research we're watching

People who eat chili peppers on a regular basis appear to lower their risk of dying from heart disease, a new study finds.

Researchers analyzed the diets and health records of more than 22,000 people living in southern Italy and followed them for a median of just over eight years. People who ate chili peppers more than four times a week were about one-third less likely to die of heart disease than those who rarely or never ate the spicy-hot peppers. This protective benefit was evident regardless of whether people followed a Mediterranean-style diet (which is often recommended for heart health) or a less healthful diet.