Cardiovascular / Cardiology News

1. Energy drinks linked to 11 times more reports of cardiac arrest

   A new study found that energy drinks and stimulant supplements were linked to disproportionately frequent reports of serious heart problems, including 11 times more reports of cardiac arrest and 4.5 times more reports of heart attacks. Young adults accounted for nearly half of the cardiovascular reports involving these products, raising concerns about their potential risks despite the study being unable to prove causation.

2. Even occasional marijuana use linked to 40% higher odds of stroke

   New research involving more than 440,000 Americans links cannabis use to increased cardiovascular risk, with occasional users showing 40% higher odds of reporting a history of stroke. The findings suggest that even infrequent marijuana use may warrant concern, although researchers have not established that cannabis directly causes strokes or heart disease.

3. Why heart attacks can still happen even when bad cholesterol is low

   Even when bad cholesterol is brought down to healthy levels, some people remain at risk of heart attacks, and scientists may have discovered why. Researchers identified two types of fat-carrying particles that appear to promote inflammation and damage blood vessels through mechanisms beyond cholesterol buildup.

4. Major trial challenges how doctors decide who really needs statins

   A study of nearly 5,800 adults found that heart scans measuring calcium buildup in the arteries led to the same observed rate of major cardiovascular events as traditional risk assessments, despite recommending statins to far fewer patients. Surprisingly, patients advised to take statins based on their scans were nearly three times as likely to stick with their medication, raising intriguing questions about how doctors should identify and treat heart disease risk.

5. Scientists discover surprising heart benefits of eating avocado and mango every day

   Eating an avocado and a cup of mango every day may provide surprising benefits for heart health, according to a new study involving adults with prediabetes. After just eight weeks, participants experienced significant improvements in blood vessel function and diastolic blood pressure, particularly among men. These benefits occurred without weight gain or changes in calorie intake, suggesting that the nutrient-rich combination could support cardiovascular health through a simple dietary adjustment.

6. Drinking tea may help protect your heart, but there’s a surprising catch

   A massive study of nearly 486,000 adults found that regularly drinking tea was associated with an 11% lower risk of heart and blood vessel diseases. The lowest risk was linked to drinking roughly six to eight cups per day, with black tea showing more consistent benefits than green tea.

7. Even moderate drinking linked to cancer and early death, major study finds

   A major new study challenges the idea that moderate drinking is safe, finding that even relatively small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and premature death. Researchers found no overall health benefits from drinking and warn that consuming more than one alcoholic beverage per day can significantly increase long-term health risks.

8. Scientists discover a hidden driver of high cholesterol and a way to stop it

   Scientists have uncovered a hidden mechanism that allows high-cholesterol diets to undermine the body's natural cholesterol defenses, and blocking it dramatically lowered harmful LDL cholesterol in mice. Even more promising, an experimental drug targeting this pathway has already passed an early human safety trial, potentially speeding the development of a new treatment for high cholesterol.