Heart Disease

The state of the science on the leading cause of death in America—and advice for better cardiovascular health.

Latest in Heart Disease

Nurse putting blood pressure monitor arm band on patient

How to ensure your doctor measures your blood pressure correctly How to ensure your doctor measures your blood pressure correctly

Heart in a box transport system

A new organ transport box doubles the window for heart transplants A new organ transport box doubles the window for heart transplants

A person receiving chest compressions.

What really happens during a near-death experience What really happens during a near-death experience

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Shiny fish oil capsules laid out on a table. Fish oil contains two omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA. These acids are all found in flax seeds, walnuts, and fatty fish such as salmon.

Fish oil supplements might still not be as good as the real thing Fish oil supplements might still not be as good as the real thing

By Laura Baisas

A woman holds an alcoholic drink in a bar.

Deaths related to excessive alcohol consumption rise in recent years—especially for women Deaths related to excessive alcohol consumption rise in recent years—especially for women

By Laura Baisas

Side view of woman's hand feeding horseback on sunny day

Why studying horses could help humans stay healthy, too Why studying horses could help humans stay healthy, too

By Jane Manfredi/The Conversation

Kidney beans black beans, corn, and tomatoes can all increase your daily fiber intake

Up your daily fiber intake for a happy microbiome Up your daily fiber intake for a happy microbiome

By Claire Maldarelli

The health impacts of incarceration don’t end after release

The health impacts of incarceration don’t end after release The health impacts of incarceration don’t end after release

By Fred Clasen-Kelly/KFF Health News

New Zealand’s wild pigs could be a source of much-needed donor organs

New Zealand’s wild pigs could be a source of much-needed donor organs New Zealand’s wild pigs could be a source of much-needed donor organs

By Bill Morris/Undark

Brown bear paw in summer for blood clotting study

Hibernating bears hold many secrets for better human health Hibernating bears hold many secrets for better human health

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A printout cholesterol screening results.

Safer statin alternative could be a better way to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol levels Safer statin alternative could be a better way to lower ‘bad’ cholesterol levels

By Laura Baisas

Why scientists are still on the quest to build an artificial heart

Why scientists are still on the quest to build an artificial heart Why scientists are still on the quest to build an artificial heart

By Sian E. Harding / MIT Press Reader

Viagra blue pills next to a felt red heart to show cardiac health benefits from erectile dysfunction drugs

Viagra shows promise in extending men’s lives, among other areas Viagra shows promise in extending men’s lives, among other areas

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

White salt on a brown cutting board.

Reducing sodium in packaged foods could reduce disease and save lives Reducing sodium in packaged foods could reduce disease and save lives

By Laura Baisas

5 sounds not meant for the human ear

5 sounds not meant for the human ear 5 sounds not meant for the human ear

By Purbita Saha

Nutritious food

Meals catering to different health needs could help save lives—and billions of dollars Meals catering to different health needs could help save lives—and billions of dollars

By Laura Baisas

Two decades-long studies link ultra-processed foods to cancer and premature death

Two decades-long studies link ultra-processed foods to cancer and premature death Two decades-long studies link ultra-processed foods to cancer and premature death

By Laura Baisas

A pig's heart in a medical container held by a medical worker in blue protective clothing

How organ-transplant teams hunt for hidden animal-to-human viruses How organ-transplant teams hunt for hidden animal-to-human viruses

By Philip Kiefer

Arteries with red blood cells flowing through and a yellowish cholesterol clog in a medical illustration

A super-sharp gene editing tool could tackle high cholesterol and other common ailments A super-sharp gene editing tool could tackle high cholesterol and other common ailments

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Sleep is closely tied to important health factors like our weight, blood pressure, and glucose metabolism.

Take heart: A good night’s sleep can boost cardiac health Take heart: A good night’s sleep can boost cardiac health

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira