A new multi-society “Second Universal Definition of Heart Failure” updated June 29, 2026 aims to standardize how heart failure risk and staging are documented—especially earlier, prevention-focused “pre–heart failure” planning. For patients, the core message stays the same: treat new or severe symptoms as urgent and get medical help promptly.
The FDA issued a Class I correction notice for Automated Impella Controllers, focused on updated use instructions. Here’s what families should ask the care team and when to escalate for emergencies.
A good home blood pressure reading depends on using a validated upper-arm cuff, the right cuff size, correct positioning, and repeat measurements. Here’s how—and when a very high reading needs urgent help.
A small phase 1 trial of the investigational VERVE-102 gene-editing approach lowered LDL (“bad”) cholesterol after a single infusion. But it hasn’t been shown to prevent heart attacks or strokes, so it’s not a reason to stop proven cholesterol medicines.
Starting July 1, 2026, Medicare’s temporary GLP-1 Bridge may help some beneficiaries with obesity and prior cardiovascular disease get certain GLP-1 drugs for a flat $50 a month. But if Wegovy is prescribed for its FDA-approved cardiovascular-risk-reduction use, CMS says that claim generally belongs in regular Part D instead of the Bridge.
A March 2026 multisociety guideline says some adults may need earlier cholesterol risk review, one-time Lp(a) testing, and more personalized prevention decisions.
Home blood pressure monitoring is more than a convenience. Done with the right cuff and technique, it can reveal patterns, reduce misleading one-time readings, and help people and clinicians track hypertension more accurately. It also helps explain when a high reading needs urgent care.
The American Heart Association’s new dyslipidemia guidance puts lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), on more clinicians’ radar. For many adults, the test is meant to refine heart-risk assessment — not replace a standard cholesterol panel or by itself tell you whether you need treatment. That matters because Lp(a) is usually inherited, often does not cause symptoms, and is not checked on routine cholesterol tests. The new guidance says a one-time measurement may help identify people whose risk is higher than their usual LDL cholesterol result suggests.
Walking getting slower or more uncomfortable? Peripheral artery disease can limit mobility even without classic calf pain, especially with vascular risks.
A randomized trial in community health centers found that team-based support plus home blood pressure checks improved systolic pressure more than enhanced usual care.
A new U.S. cholesterol guideline adds more emphasis to one-time lipoprotein(a) testing. Here’s who may want to ask and what the result can mean.
The 2025-2030 U.S. Dietary Guidelines put more weight on whole foods and less on added sugar and heavily processed foods. Here’s what changed.
A new trial found less clinically important bleeding with apixaban than rivaroxaban after a serious clot, but treatment changes still need a clinician.
Two February 2026 cholesterol headlines show how to judge study design, real outcomes, and official guidance before changing a medicine or screening plan.
A new U.S. cholesterol guideline says some adults may need risk discussions earlier, including one-time lipoprotein(a) testing and, in select cases, treatment decisions before age 40.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and major health organizations now recognize chronic psychological stress as a meaningful cardiovascular risk factor. Here’s what the evidence shows, who is most vulnerable, and what practical steps can lower stress-related heart risk.
Most of the United States moved clocks forward on March 8, 2026, losing an hour of sleep. Research suggests that even this small shift can temporarily affect heart health, mood, driving safety, and workplace injuries—especially in a nation already short on sleep.
Leg pain with walking that improves with rest can be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a common and underdiagnosed condition linked to heart attack and stroke risk. Here’s what U.S. readers should know about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and when to seek urgent care.
Recent CDC and NCHS data show that millions of U.S. adults have hypertension and that control rates remain below national goals. Here’s what “controlled” blood pressure means, who is most affected, and what practical steps can help lower your risk.
A large randomized trial found that semaglutide reduced heart attacks and strokes in adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease who did not have diabetes. Here’s what the evidence shows, what the FDA approval means, and what U.S. patients should know about safety, cost, and coverage.
If an adult suddenly collapses and isn’t breathing normally, call 911 and start chest compressions immediately. Here’s what current U.S. guidance says about hands-only CPR, when to use it, and how early action can save lives.
Updated recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force emphasize screening, counseling, and preventive medications in primary care to reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
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