There's a surprising connection between gut health and cardiovascular wellness. Learn how your microbiome impacts blood vessels and what you can do to support both.

Poor oral hygiene doesn’t just affect your smile—it may also raise your risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart disease. Find out how something as simple as flossing could play a surprising role in protecting your vascular health.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications help manage type 2 diabetes and can also support weight loss. Some versions of these medications have also been shown to benefit heart health, especially in people with diabetes or those at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Early detection is crucial to prevent complications, reduce hospitalizations, and improve quality of life. By recognizing early signs and symptoms, patients and caregivers can secure timely medical attention.

The weight loss landscape is shifting rapidly as AI enters the world of personal health. Unlike traditional programs that rely on generic advice, AI-driven prediction systems aim to forecast your likelihood of success before you begin. But can algorithms truly understand the complex interplay of biology, behavior, and environment that shapes weight loss?

Join us for this essential educational video featuring Dr. Elliott Antman, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and internationally recognized cardiovascular expert. In this comprehensive yet accessible presentation, Dr. Antman breaks down everything you need to know about living with atrial fibrillation.

Could the key to solving resistant hypertension lie not in your medicine cabinet, but in your bedroom?

Barbershops are more than just places to get a trim—they’re trusted community spaces, especially for men who may be reluctant to engage with traditional healthcare systems. In recent years, barbershop-based health programs have emerged as powerful tools to reach men where they are and screen them for vascular risks, including hypertension and peripheral artery disease (PAD).

What if the greatest threat to a generation's cardiovascular future isn't coming from traditional risk factors, but from a silent epidemic hiding in plain sight?

Could the future of cardiovascular medicine lie not in treating disease after it develops, but in preventing it during the critical young adult years when intervention can still change life trajectories?

For generations, traditional masculinity has been defined by toughness, stoicism, and self-reliance. “Man up.” “Don’t cry.” “Push through it.” While these messages were once seen as virtues, they have come at a steep cost—especially to men’s heart health.

When most people think about heart health, they think about cholesterol, blood pressure, or family history. But one critical factor often gets overlooked—mental health, especially in men.

Nearly one in three adults has high LDL cholesterol—a silent contributor to arterial plaque and heart disease risk. In this guide, you’ll discover the healthy LDL cholesterol normal range, how optimal targets differ, and why understanding your lipid profile matters for cardiovascular protection.

Diabetes and obesity are two conditions that can raise the risk for both heart disease and blood clots. Now, a new class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (aka GLP-1s) has been getting a lot of attention as a treatment for both diabetes and obesity.

Identifying and managing risk factors is essential to preventing CHF. Both genetic and lifestyle factors play roles in the disorder’s development.

Nearly half of adults with elevated office blood pressure readings don't actually have hypertension, while millions with normal readings secretly harbor dangerously high blood pressure at home. This paradox of misleading blood pressure measurements affects up to 30% of patients seen in clinical practice, with profound implications for cardiovascular health.

Staying hydrated is important year-round, but especially in the summer heat. Many people choose sugar-free drinks and low-calorie sodas to cut back on sugar. But what’s actually in a “sugar-free” beverage??

Compression stockings are generally safe for most people when properly fitted, but if you have a specific medical condition, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before use. They apply gentle pressure to the legs, aiding the veins in functioning more efficiently and reducing the risk of clot formation.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a blood clot that forms in a vein. Most clots occur in the legs, but sometimes, pieces of the clot can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE).

Having a blood clot can affect many aspects of your life. In addition to physical symptoms like pain and swelling, it’s not uncommon to experience mental health challenges after a clot, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Stress is a normal part of life, but too much of it can be harmful to your health. When the body reacts to stress, the body's reaction involves a complex physiological and hormonal response that prepares you to handle challenges. Chronic stress has been linked to conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and insomnia.

If you think you have a blood clot, get medical attention fast. Here’s what to expect when you visit the emergency room for a blood clot.

After you’re diagnosed with a blood clot, your healthcare provider may prescribe a blood thinner called warfarin. The doctor may also want to watch your INR levels over time. To do that, you’ll need regular blood tests.

Continuous glucose monitors, once exclusively prescribed for people with diabetes, are now finding their way onto the arms of health-conscious individuals seeking deeper insights into their metabolic function.

Atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder, may increase dementia risk beyond traditional causes like stroke. While treatment benefits remain unclear, the connection highlights important implications for cardiovascular and cognitive health management.

Read commonly asked questions about life after a blood clot in our patient content series, Is This Normal?!

If you take medicine like blood thinners, antiplatelets, or aspirin to prevent blood clots, then procedures (such as surgeries, or operations) can require careful planning on how to safely start or stop medications.

That tightness in your chest when stress hits, the way your legs ache more during anxious times, or how worry seems to make your vascular symptoms worse—it's all connected.

Understand atrial fibrillation (AFib) - when your heart's upper chambers beat irregularly and often too fast. Learn about symptoms, the four types of AFib, why it increases stroke risk, common causes, and your path forward after diagnosis. Expert-reviewed, patient-friendly guide to help you take control of your heart health.

While most people recognize that obesity increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes, the full scope of obesity health risks extends far beyond these well-known conditions.

We’ve all heard the advice: get 10,000 steps a day. But here's the thing—that number wasn’t based on solid research. Now, a major review of 57 studies gives us evidence-backed numbers to work with—and the results are encouraging: Just 7,000 steps per day (compared to 2,000)

President Trump’s recent diagnosis has drawn attention to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)—a condition that’s surprisingly common, especially as we age. But what is CVI, and why does it matter?

Summer BBQs are a great way to relax with friends and family—and with a little planning, you can enjoy your favorite foods without straying from your heart-health goals. This quick BBQ guide shares simple tips to help you build a healthier plate while still enjoying the cookout.

Use this guide to help you prepare. These questions are meant for anyone who wants to better understand their heart and blood vessel health—whether you’re newly diagnosed, managing ongoing risks, or just trying to stay healthy.

A new study published in Neurology® may have some good news: Even if your body shows signs of biological aging, healthy lifestyle choices may still protect your brain.

The American Heart Association just released a new scientific statement on alcohol and heart health — and it might not say what you think.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a blood clot, you might wonder if it’s safe to exercise. Being active is a great way to get your heart pumping and your blood flowing. When people are inactive, blood flows back to the heart slowly. Staying active prevents blood from pooling in your body, lowering the chance of forming clots.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a serious but often overlooked condition that affects over 8.5 million Americans. Many people remain undiagnosed until they experience complications such as stroke, heart attack, or limb amputation.

Stroke is a devastating medical issue that can lead to disability and death. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Dr. Umberto Campia discusses stroke and new approaches to stroke prevention.

Heart failure (HF) is a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide and is becoming more common as the population ages. Most people know that it causes fatigue, swelling, and shortness of breath. Few realize that the condition also increases the risk of blood clots.

After a heart attack or chest pain, people who spent more than 14 hours a day sitting had twice the risk of another heart problem within a year. But replacing just 30 minutes of sitting each day made a big difference.

In type 2 diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it properly. Both types can increase the risk of blood clots. But type 2 is often linked to obesity and high cholesterol—risk factors that make clots more likely.

If you’re taking warfarin, you’ll need to get your INR—or international normalized ratio— levels tested regularly. This blood test measures prothrombin time, or how long it takes your body to make a blood clot.

Experiencing a blood clot can be terrifying and very overwhelming. Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with a blood clot or have been living with a blood clotting condition for a while, you likely remember your first clot very well.

According to Dr. Kahn, “the risk of a travel-related blood clot is quite small, and the average traveler doesn’t need to worry about it. Billions of people travel by plane every year, and most of them don’t get a blood clot.”

Having a blood clot can affect almost every aspect of your life, and one of the most frequently asked questions is: “when is it safe to exercise after my clot?”

Blood clotting disorders occur when coagulation—the steps the body takes to make a clot—are disrupted. It’s important to learn about how this process normally works.

Cholesterol and Blood Clots: What’s the Connection?

In this edition of Patient Pulse, we’re pleased to welcome Dr. Sara Folta for a discussion on nutrition after a cardiovascular event. Dr. Folta is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

Once you’ve had a blood clot, your body might break it down and absorb it, depending on its size and location. In other cases, your body might not absorb the clot(s) but can still function without any problems.

In this edition of Patient Pulse, we’re pleased to welcome Dr. Elizabeth Halprin for a discussion on diabetes and heart health. Dr. Halprin is an adult endocrinologist, and her specialty is diabetes. She has a particular interest in diabetes and overall health in underserved populations. She is the Chief of Adult Diabetes at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, MA, where she has been practicing for 22 years.

Dr. Steven Deitelzweig discusses opportunities for improving anticoagulant management, an evidence-based risk assessment, how pivotal trials and guidelines are used to select oral anticoagulants (OAC). He also provides information on selecting the right OAC for patients, how to manage bleeding events on a OAC, and strategies for an effective transition of care.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are a preventative treatment for pulmonary embolism (PE). While these devices play a crucial role in thrombosis management, many patients and healthcare providers still have questions about their use, effectiveness, and risks.

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in the body. It plays a key role in how the body functions, but can also be harmful if there is too much of it. There are two types of cholesterol, the “bad” and the “good.”

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that’s unknown to many, yet it affects more than 230 million people worldwide. In the U.S. alone, it’s estimated that more than 8.5 million people live with PAD, putting them at risk for serious complications. Here’s what you need to know about this seemingly silent disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a silent killer that many people don’t know they have until they experience its consequences. Over 8.5 million Americans are living with this disease, which puts them at risk for stroke, heart attack, and more.

Inflammation is a hot topic in the medical community and has been shown to increase the risk of thrombosis and cardiovascular disease. However, you can reduce your risk of inflammation by monitoring your diet.

Navigating vascular health can feel overwhelming—from understanding lab results to choosing the right medications, and balancing lifestyle changes with day-to-day life. In our recent Ask-the-Expert session, Dr. Julie Anderson, family physician and past Minnesota AAFP chapter president, offered practical guidance for patients at every step.

In this episode of Patient Pulse, Dr. Clifford Rosen, Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, talks about the role of vitamin D in heart, lung, and related diseases.

The Watchman is a permanent implant placed in the left atrial appendage of a patient’s heart. After experiencing atrial fibrillation, the left atrial appendage is where thrombosis is most likely to develop in the heart.

Dr. David Jenkins presents on the effects of combining in Selenium with other antioxidants for cardiovascular disease during VLN’s November 2019 online support group.

Dr. Kithcart discusses the health consequences and recurrence risks of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).