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Habits that promote cardiovascular health are linked to benefits in nearly every organ system and improved function throughout the body, according to a 2025 review of 483 studies.
For some people with atrial fibrillation, cold drinks and foods can trigger a bout of the rapid, irregular heartbeat that characterizes the disorder. Avoiding those triggers nearly always prevents this phenomenon, dubbed “cold drink heart.”
Women live longer than men. However, that longevity gap in the United States has increased to 5.8 years, the largest gap since 1996, according to a 2024 study. Why the widening gap? Researchers believe that in many cases, women are better than men at addressing certain health needs that contribute to longer lives, such as losing excess weight, quitting smoking, getting regular skin check-ups, and not ignoring mental health issues.
Imaging tests such as chest CT scans and mammograms, which can detect calcium deposits in arteries, can provide information about a person’s cardiovascular health. These so-called incidental findings—when a medical test discovers something unrelated to the original purpose of the test—have become increasingly common in recent years. With a chest CT, calcifications are grouped into four categories: none, mild, moderate, or severe. That’s often enough for a cardiologist to make a solid decision about whether to maintain or intensify a person’s drug treatment to prevent heart disease progression.
A 2025 review found the people who walked 7,000 steps per day had a 25% lower of cardiovascular disease and a 47% lower risk of death from all causes compared to people who walked only 2,000 steps per day.
In a 2025 study, middle-aged and older people who could do the sit-to-rise test without support were less likely to die (especially of cardiovascular disease) within the following decade. The test is a good way to assess strength, flexibility, and balance—all of which are all vital for helping people to stay active and functioning well as they grow older.
Obesity is a common, chronic disease that can harm the heart. The powerful weight-loss medications known as GLP-1s, semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), are now recommended as first-line therapy for eligible people, according to the American College of Cardiology. People using these drugs should work with a dietitian or nutritionist who can help them create a personalized eating plan that ensures they’re getting enough nutrients while minimizing common side effects.
People with high blood pressure typically die earlier than people without the condition. A 2025 study suggests that they can significantly lower—or even eliminate—that difference by controlling several key risk factors.
A 2025 study suggests that women who eat more high-quality carbohydrates—which include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes—in their 40s and 50s are more likely to age healthfully.
The sitting-rising test gauges how easily people can rise to their feet from sitting on the floor, using as little support as possible. A 2025 study suggested the test may help predict someone’s longevity. People who scored the lowest were nearly four times more likely to die of natural causes and six times more likely to die of cardiovascular causes than participants who scored a perfect 10 on the test. The movement requires strength, coordination, balance, and flexibility. These components of fitness tend to drop off more precipitously in women as we age.