Heart Disease News and Research

Latest Heart Disease News and Research

Nutritional quality matters more than processing level for long-term health

What makes a diet healthy-or not? According to a new study, nutritional quality matters more than processing level when it comes to long-term health.

28 Jul 2026

Review finds blueberry and grape polyphenols may improve vascular health

A review of 37 publications found that grape- and blueberry-derived polyphenols were associated with modest improvements in cardiovascular risk markers, particularly endothelial function. However, most studies were small or short-term, frequently tested concentrated products, and measured biomarkers rather than cardiovascular events.

27 Jul 2026

A common dietary nutrient feeds a gut pathway linked to atrial fibrillation

Researchers linked higher plasma TMAO to prevalent atrial fibrillation in 5,090 people and found that TMAO or choline supplementation accelerated AF onset, progression, atrial remodeling, and electrical dysfunction in mice. Inhibiting gut microbial TMA production lowered circulating TMAO and delayed AF in mice, identifying a potential therapeutic pathway that now requires human testing.

27 Jul 2026

Genetic factors influence cholesterol response to low-carb diets

Can a low-carb diet cause your cholesterol to skyrocket? This question has vexed researchers and influencers alike as the popularity of low-carbohydrate diets has surged, yet the evidence has remained mixed.

27 Jul 2026

Survey shows Native Americans lack awareness of plant-based diets for diabetes prevention

Although Native Americans experience some of the nation's highest rates of type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases, a new national survey suggests many have not heard about one of the most effective dietary approaches for preventing and even reversing the disease.

27 Jul 2026

Daily multivitamin improves functional health in older adults, study finds

The ability to perform everyday activities free of debilitating symptoms profoundly affects quality of life as we age.

27 Jul 2026

Milk nutrient levels vary by production method and season

When you pick up a gallon of milk at the store, the nutrients it contains may depend on both what's on the label and the time of year.

27 Jul 2026

Prototype smart ring tracks multiple sweat biomarkers

The CHARM smart ring enables continuous monitoring of biochemical markers in sweat, paving the way for advanced metabolic health tracking and diabetes support.

27 Jul 2026

Planetary Health Diet lowers cardiovascular risk in older women

A 20-year study of more than 65,000 postmenopausal women found that higher adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a lower risk of overall cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure.

25 Jul 2026

FDA-issued sodium targets appear to have minimal impact

In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Phase I voluntary sodium reduction targets to encourage manufacturers to lower the amount of sodium in packaged food products by 2024.

25 Jul 2026

Cleveland Clinic study links gut microbe byproduct to heart arrhythmia

A Cleveland Clinic-led study shows a connection between elevated blood levels of TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) - a byproduct of gut bacteria digestion of nutrients found in red meat and other animal products - and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation.

24 Jul 2026

Cambridge scientists solve brain puzzle behind popular obesity drugs

Cambridge scientists have solved the mystery of why both stimulating and blocking a particular 'switch' in the brain can help people lose weight – findings which could help boost the effectiveness of obesity drugs.

24 Jul 2026

Two heart nerve cell types sustain cardiac stability in mice

Researchers identified two major intrinsic cardiac neuron populations in mice: Npy-positive neurons regulate parasympathetic heart rate control and support coronary perfusion, while Ddah1-positive neurons help maintain electrical stability during extreme stress. Removing Npy-positive neurons caused fatal cardiac failure, whereas loss of Ddah1-positive neurons increased susceptibility to malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest under stress.

23 Jul 2026

Endotrophin may reveal metabolic risks linked to changing body fat

Researchers have identified a biological marker that rises and falls as body fat changes, offering new insight into how weight gain and weight loss may influence metabolic health.

23 Jul 2026

Study reveals how DNA misfolding causes congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect, affecting approximately 1 in 100 babies born each year. One of the many causes for this disorder is having only one functional copy of the gene TBX5, instead of two healthy copies, inherited from parents.

23 Jul 2026

Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors linked to unstable coronary artery plaques

Cardiovascular risk factors are linked to higher risk of heart disease, but it has been unknown how they are related to abrupt closure of the coronary arteries leading to heart attack and sudden cardiac death.

23 Jul 2026

Spermidine boosts key cellular processes linked to aging in early research

This review finds that spermidine supports autophagy, mitochondrial function, and healthspan in experimental models, while observational studies link higher dietary intake to lower mortality. However, human trials have produced limited and mixed results, leaving its clinical role in healthy aging unresolved.

23 Jul 2026

Multiple sclerosis mortality trends underscore need for comprehensive patient care

An analysis of more than 42,000 U.S. deaths linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) found that death rates varied by age, geography, and race and ethnicity, with Black patients dying younger than white patients and high blood pressure emerging as a growing contributor.

22 Jul 2026

Urbanization reshapes gut microbiomes across diverse South Asian communities

Urbanization is one of the most consequential demographic shifts of the 21st century. As communities move from traditional or rural to urbanized ways of life, changes in diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposures can influence many aspects of human biology and health.

22 Jul 2026

Red meat intake emerges as a potential pancreatic cancer risk factor

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies involving nearly 2 million participants found that higher red meat intake was associated with a modestly higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Processed meat intake showed no statistically significant association, although variation between studies means a small effect cannot be excluded.

22 Jul 2026