Harvard Health Content API

About 70% of the sodium in the American diet comes from processed, packaged, and restaurant foods. Checking labels and making smart swaps when shopping and dining out can help people consume less sodium and, perhaps, prevent cardiovascular disease and related deaths.

The latest diabetes guidelines now recommend continuous glucose monitors for many people with type 2 diabetes. The real-time data from these devices may help reduce heart-related risks in people with diabetes by helping to reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and body weight.

Recent advances in caring for people with strokes include expanded access to medications and clot removal procedures. In certain cases, these therapies may be done up to 24 hours after stroke symptoms first appear.

Men may be less flexible than women, but stretching offers important benefits for everyone, especially as they age. Stretching may help keep muscles limber, improve balance and posture, prevent injuries, and even benefit sports performance.

A number of physiological changes driven by the body’s internal clock help explain why heart attacks are more common in the morning. These changes include factors involved in blood pressure, blood clot formation, and inflammation.

A 2026 scientific statement from the American Heart Association details nine key features of a heart-healthy diet that can help people protect their cardiovascular health.