(kali9/E+, Getty Images) Lea en español Family-based programs to encourage healthier eating and physical activity have long been regarded as an effective way to put children diagnosed as overweight or with obesity on a path to a better future. But new research suggests an added dividend: Parents of those children can benefit as well. “It…

(Julia Manga/iStock, Getty Images) It’s long been known that smoking greatly raises the risk for heart disease and stroke. But new research suggests the first sign a smoker is developing cardiovascular problems also may be the last. The study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found smokers were more likely than…

(monkeybusinessimages/iStock, Getty Images) Lea en español It’s a worthy, healthy goal to take 10,000 steps each day, but that magic number didn’t come from doctors or physical trainers. In the mid-1960s, Japanese marketers trying to sell a pedometer named it manpo-kei, which generally translates to “10,000 step meter” in English. The Japanese character for “10,000”…

(Bjarte Rettedal/Photodisc, Getty Images) A health education class tailored to South Asian culture was associated with improvements in certain cardiac risk factors and lower odds of death among participants, a new study shows. South Asians – those with ethnic descent from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives or Bhutan – develop coronary artery…

(Kenishirotie/iStock, Getty Images) Consuming high levels of sodium and low levels of potassium may increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a new study that sought to reaffirm the role sodium plays in cardiovascular disease. On average, Americans eat about 3,400 milligrams of sodium each day, much of that from store-bought packaged foods and…

(Kubra Cavus/iStock, Getty Images) Caffeinated coffee may come with a blend of short-term benefits and harms, according to a study that monitored its health effects in real time. Researchers who closely monitored 100 volunteers for two weeks in a randomized controlled trial found participants logged more steps a day on days when they drank coffee…

Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones gives his Presidential Address at Scientific Sessions. (American Heart Association) About a decade ago, scientists found that people can lower their risk of heart disease and stroke by managing seven easily understood risk factors – things like diet, exercise and smoking status. This collection was dubbed “Life’s Simple 7.” The way it…

Health experts discussed COVID-19 vaccine development and cardiovascular disease implications on Saturday at the American Heart Association’s virtual Scientific Sessions. Top row, from left: Nicole Purcell, Dr. Mikael Dolsten and Stéphane Bancel. Bottom row, from left: Dr. Mina Chung, Raymond Vara Jr., Dr. Manesh Patel, Nancy Brown and Dr. Biykem Bozkurt. (American Heart Association) Leaders…

(Deepak Sethi/iStock, Getty Images) Gay men and bisexual women may have higher rates of high blood pressure than their heterosexual counterparts, according to new research. The study analyzed self-reported data from 424,255 participants, including 1.8% who were gay or lesbian and 2.3% who were bisexual. After adjusting for demographics, insurance, body mass index and smoking…

Play without Auto-Play Play Video Text A little after 9 p.m. on a Friday in July, Dr. Kevin Volpp arrived at a restaurant in Cincinnati with his 15-year-old daughter Daphne, her squash coach and some friends. Everyone was tired and eager for a good meal. Daphne was coming off her second long, intense match of…