Heart disease & stroke
Cardiovascular disease—which causes heart attacks and strokes—is the leading cause of death in America. The good news: you can curb your risk by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
What to eat
The healthiest diet
What foods belong in your kitchen if you want to protect the arteries in your heart and brain? As long as you start with a healthy core diet—heavy on the fruits and vegetables and light on the bad fats, salt, and sweets—it’s up to you.
Beyond the basics
Keys to a healthy heart that you may not know
When it comes to protecting your heart, you know the basics. Don’t smoke. Keep a lid on “bad” cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar with a healthy diet and, if necessary, medications. Exercise on most days. Limit weight gain.
But you may not know about other key steps to protect the old ticker. Here are a handful.
How to keep your heart & brain healthy
Here's the best evidence on what can cut your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
How eating more plants can help your heart
What the DASH studies taught us about a healthy diet
What we know about saturated fat and heart disease
How much saturated fat is in oils and animal fats
A strike against stroke
Five dairy & meat myths
Are statins very risky?
Are you eating too many refined carbs?
The heart of the matter: Which foods protect your arteries?
High blood pressure
Preventing Disease
More people have hypertension, say the latest guidelines
Got high blood pressure? So do nearly half of U.S. adults. Fortunately, a healthy DASH-style diet and exercise can have lower your blood pressure…and your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Preventing Disease
How much can healthy eating and exercise lower blood pressure?
Preventing Disease
How to measure blood pressure correctly
Fats for your heart
Replacing saturated fat with healthier fats can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. That may seem like old news. But claims about coconut oil and headlines like "Butter is Back" have caused confusion.
How much can diet and exercise lower blood pressure?
Exercise can lower blood pressure. It can also help keep a lid on your blood sugar, keep your weight in check, boost your mood, and lower your risk for chronic illnesses like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.
The Healthy Cook
Heart-healthy recipes
Let's get cooking
Recipes from The Healthy Cook
You can't get to healthy without delicious! That's where our recipes from The Healthy Cook, Kate Sherwood, come in. Search by categories like salads, soups, side dishes, vegetarian, vegan, and more.
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