Harvard Health Content API

Most men can resume regular sexual activity after a heart attack once they can engage in mild-to-moderate physical activity without experiencing marked fatigue, chest pain, or shortness of breath. For heart-related procedures like angioplasty with stent placement (to open a blocked artery and restore blood flow), coronary artery bypass surgery, or open-heart surgery, men should wait until surgical sites have fully healed before resuming sex. At the same time, men should address any lingering heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and excess weight.

For people with a family history of early heart disease, getting a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan plus intensive coaching and a statin may help limit the progression of the plaque in their arteries, according to a 2025 study.

A 2025 study found that a new type of medication may safely slow the progression of aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve) and delay the need for valve replacement.

Trading about a tablespoon of butter per day for about two teaspoons of olive, soybean, or canola oil may help lower the risk of heart disease and premature death, according to a 2025 study.

About one in every 20 people over age 65 has a stiff, narrowed aortic valve. A Harvard physician describes his experience with this condition, called aortic stenosis, from the heart murmur detected at age 66 to his open-heart surgery a decade later. After his diagnosis, he received echocardiograms every one to two years to check the valve, and later a stress echocardiogram. Because the echocardiogram revealed an aortic aneurysm, he had open-heart surgery so the surgeon could repair the valve and the aneurysm during the same operation.

A 2025 study found that people who are sedentary for 10.6 hours per day or more may face a higher risk of heart failure or dying from heart disease—even if they follow recommended exercise guidelines. Uninterrupted sitting has harmful effects on metabolism, leading the body to burn fewer calories and less fat. It can also cause blood sugar levels to rise, triggering the release of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. Over time, sedentary habits cause the body to become less sensitive to insulin. The resulting insulin resistance promotes inflammation, a key player in the buildup of fatty plaque inside arteries.

A 2024 study indicated that adults 65 and older with major depression are more likely to exhibit risky driving behaviors such as speeding, hard braking, and hard cornering.

A 2025 research review suggested that women with certain gynecological disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, heavy periods, and irregular menstrual cycles, have higher risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.

A 2025 study suggested that boosting dietary calcium intake may reduce the odds of developing colorectal cancer, while drinking more alcohol may raise risks for the disease.

Cushing’s is marked by elevated blood levels of the hormone cortisol. Far more common in women, the condition is categorized as a disease or syndrome based on what factors trigger it, which can include using corticosteroids or having a tumor on the brain’s pituitary gland or elsewhere. Symptoms include a swollen face, excess belly weight, fatigue, a fatty hump between the shoulders, stretch marks, easy bruising, and slow wound healing. Cushing’s can also lead to health problems such as cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and diabetes.