Stroke Archive

Exercise & Fitness

Exercise appears to lower atrial fibrillation and stroke risk

Published October 1, 2021

The link between exercise and atrial fibrillation (afib) and stroke prevention is now a little clearer, thanks to a Harvard study. It offers strong evidence that 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is associated with a reduced risk for atrial fibrillation and stroke. Researchers aren’t surprised, since exercise helps the chambers of the heart contract and relax, while being sedentary increases afib and stroke risk. Other ways to ward off afib and stroke include treating sleep apnea, quitting smoking, and drinking only in moderation.

Diseases & Conditions

Do people who have COVID-19 go on to develop other diseases?

Published September 1, 2021

Evidence suggests that people who recover from COVID-19 have an increased risk for developing new health problems, including heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, muscle inflammation, blood clots that travel to the lungs, strokes from clots or hemorrhages, or psychosis. This is in addition to permanent damage that can result from having COVID, including damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, brain, or other organs; and debilitating fatigue, difficulty thinking, and other symptoms that make it hard to function normally at work or at home.

Heart Health

Wearable devices may encourage enough exercise to prevent afib

Published September 1, 2021

Getting the recommended amount of physical activity appears to lower the risk of atrial fibrillation (afib), a heart rhythm disorder that raises the risk of stroke.

Women's Health

Early menopause linked to higher risk of stroke

Published September 1, 2021

Women who go through menopause before they turn 40 may be more likely to have a stroke than women who undergo the transition between 50 and 54, according to a study published in the August 2021 issue of the journal Stroke.

Staying Healthy

Shingles vaccine may also reduce stroke risk

Updated August 16, 2021

The shingles vaccine was associated with a 10% to 20% lower risk of stroke among adults ages 66 and older, according to a recent study.

Staying Healthy

Supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer not justified

Published August 1, 2021

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force found insufficient evidence for using most vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer in most healthy adults.

Diseases & Conditions

High blood pressure? Treat the risk, not the number

Published August 1, 2021

People with a high risk for heart attacks and strokes might benefit from taking blood pressure–lowering medications, even if their blood pressure is in the normal or "high normal" range and they have no clear signs of cardiovascular disease.

Women's Health

Reducing heart risks in the wake of breast cancer treatment

Published August 1, 2021

Hormone therapy is a highly successful breast cancer treatment for women, but it can elevate cardiovascular risk. Women can reduce those risks by being vigilant about their heart health and working closely with their doctors. Women who have taken or are taking these medications as part of breast cancer treatment should focus on adopting a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, and keeping close tabs on their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels.

Staying Healthy

Look inside your heart

Published August 1, 2021

The traditional measures to gauge heart disease risk don’t always tell the whole story. Sometimes more medical information is needed. An increasingly used test to predict a person’s risk for heart attack or stroke is a coronary artery calcium scan. It measures the amount of calcified plaque in the heart’s arteries, high levels of which suggest higher overall plaque buildup. The number can determine if people should begin statin therapy and make additional lifestyle changes.

Heart Health

Screening for atrial fibrillation: An update

Published August 1, 2021

Atrial fibrillation (afib), an often-silent heart rhythm disorder, increases the risk of stroke. Early detection may enable people to start taking anti-clotting drugs to prevent a stroke. Current afib screening methods include asking people about afib symptoms and taking an electrocardiogram during routine check-ups. Wearable devices such as smart watches and fitness trackers can detect afib, but they aren’t yet accurate enough to be used for widespread screening.

Result 131 - 140 of 291

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Stroke Archive

Articles

Exercise appears to lower atrial fibrillation and stroke risk

Do people who have COVID-19 go on to develop other diseases?

Wearable devices may encourage enough exercise to prevent afib

Early menopause linked to higher risk of stroke

Shingles vaccine may also reduce stroke risk

Supplements to prevent heart disease and cancer not justified

High blood pressure? Treat the risk, not the number

Reducing heart risks in the wake of breast cancer treatment

Look inside your heart

Screening for atrial fibrillation: An update

Free Healthbeat Signup