Take Heart! Advances in Heart Health Bringing New Hope

The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recently released important prevention guidelines and advances in heart disease and stroke research in the past year.

These new prevention guidelines, programs to control blood pressure, getting more people to access cardiac rehab services and a possible link between digestive bacteria and heart disease risk are included in a recap of cardiovascular and stroke advances identified. Here are a few:

Lower overall heart attack and stroke risk, not just cholesterol – After lifestyle changes, cholesterol-lowering statin drugs could benefit about 33 million Americans who have a greater than 7.5 percent 10-year risk for heart attack and stroke.

How intestinal microbes raise the cardiovascular disease risk from red meat – An emerging area of nutrition science is the study of bacteria, or microbes, in the digestive system and how they affect heart disease risk. A 2013 study discovered that microbes in the digestive system may be responsible for red meat elevating two chemicals associated with cardiovascular disease.

Lifestyle guidelines including dietary patterns and exercise – Lifestyle recommendations target the many people who need to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. They recommend an overall heart-healthy dietary pattern and 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise three to four times a week. Dietary patterns should emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish and nuts, and limit red meat and sugary foods and beverages.

Controlling high blood pressure – Although researchers understand the best ways to treat hypertension, many patients do not know they have it, and only half of the 75 percent of patients being treated control it to a healthy level.

For more information about the findings and links to detailed resources, go to http://newsroom.heart.org/news/2013-top-10-advances-in-heart-disease-and-stroke-science.