Harvard Health Content API

Exposure to traffic noise may slightly raise a person’s risk of being hospitalized for a stroke and from dying of any cause. The noise may boost stress hormone levels, which can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Statins are usually the first choice to lower LDL cholesterol levels in most people who need medications, but some still fail to reach their desired targets. A new class of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors may be able to pick up the slack.

For heart disease prevention, plant-based protein sources, such as beans and nuts, are healthier than animal-based protein sources, such as red meat and eggs.

Tai chi may improve a number of cardiovascular conditions, especially heart failure. The benefits are thought to arise from its combined focus on movement, breathing, and focused, relaxed attention.

Coronary artery calcium scans, which measure specks of calcium in the heart’s arteries, may accurately predict a person’s risk of dying over the following 15 years.

Owning and caring for a dog can lead to better heart health. As a group, people with dogs tend to get more exercise and also see reductions in weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

People with higher blood levels of polyunsaturated fats may be less likely to die of cardiovascular disease or other causes compared with people with lower blood levels of the fats.