Spring training: How to move from couch to 5K

A couch-to-5K program is a free or low-cost coaching plan designed to help would-be runners complete a 3.1-mile race. People should get their doctor’s approval before starting this regimen, especially if they have or are at risk for heart disease. For older or less fit people, a more gradual training program may be more appropriate. Also, many 5K races encourage walkers to participate, so people don’t necessarily have to run the race. In addition to providing structure and motivation to exercise more regularly, these races may also offer a way to support your local community or favorite charity. (Locked) More »

What is labile hypertension?

Labile hypertension is a condition marked by blood pressure readings that fluctuate far more than normal. It has many possible causes, including too much caffeine, anxiety, and stress, or the use of pain relievers known as NSAIDs. More »

Choosing oils for cooking: A host of heart-healthy options

For cooking and baking, people should choose a fat that’s liquid instead of solid at room temperature. Heart-healthy choices include olive oil as well as other plant-based oils, such as canola, sunflower, safflower, and soybean. These oils contain mainly unsaturated fats, which includes both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. In 2018, the FDA approved a new qualified health claim for oils containing at least 70% oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat. The claim cites supportive evidence that eating about 1½ tablespoons of high-oleic acid oils daily may lower coronary disease risk, but only if it replaces fats and oils higher in saturated fat. (Locked) More »

Time-sensitive clues about cardiovascular risk

When a person’s behavior or environment is out of sync with their internal clock, it’s known as circadian misalignment. This phenomenon may explain why heart attack rates rise on Monday mornings and the week after daylight savings time begins. Certain habits such as late-night eating or light exposure into the wee hours can also throw the body’s natural rhythms out of whack, which may affect cardiovascular risk factors. (Locked) More »

Lessons about brain health from a landmark heart study


Why worry about your waistline?
