These 4 habits in middle age have the ‘greatest impact' on your heart health: study
'In the late 40s, around the time of the menopause transition, women undergo many significant changes in their cardiovascular health,' Samar R. El Khoudary, professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, told Medical News Today.
'There's an increase in visceral fat, which we know has implications for heart health. There is an increase in risk of metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of three out of five factors including waist circumference, glucose, triglycerides, HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and blood pressure.
Advertisement
3 A new study shows only one in five menopausal women have ideal scores on the American Heart Association's health-assessment tool Life's Essential 8 (LE8).
Wesley/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com
'There's a change in vascular health, with increasing thickness and stiffness in the carotid artery. And with the symptoms of menopause, sleep can suffer, as well.'
Worse yet, El Khoudary and her team recently learned only one in five menopausal women have ideal scores on the American Heart Association's health-assessment tool Life's Essential 8 (LE8) — and four of the factors can have a huge impact on heart health.
Advertisement
The LE8 tracks eight key health metrics: physical activity, cholesterol, diet, sleep, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and tobacco use.
Researchers analyzed the health data of about 3,000 women to find that four of these factors — sleep, blood pressure, blood glucose and smoking — are the heaviest hitters in predicting heart problems later down the road.
'This finding is important because it highlights key areas … that may have the greatest impact on future heart health for women,' El Khoudary said.
3 The LE8 tracks eight key health metrics: physical activity, cholesterol, diet, sleep, blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and tobacco use.
InsideCreativeHouse – stock.adobe.com
Advertisement
'However, our study did not test whether targeting these specifically leads to better outcomes than focusing on other factors. This is an important question for future clinical trials to explore.'
Unfortunately, these findings indicate that women, especially those in the menopause stage, need to adopt healthier habits in order to keep their ticker happy — although of course that's easier said than done.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, according to Northwell Health cardiologist and American Heart Association volunteer medical expert Dr. Stacey Rosen, who is based in New York.
Advertisement
Nearly 45% of women over 20 years old are actually living with some form of CVD, Rosen told Fox News Digital.
3 Researchers analyzed the health data of about 3,000 women to find that four of these factors — sleep, blood pressure, blood glucose and smoking — are the heaviest hitters in predicting heart problems later down the road.
bertys30 – stock.adobe.com
And some of the classic symptoms — such as pain radiating down from the left arm — might not necessarily occur in women, who might instead experience extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and indigestion.
Jaw, neck and back pain are also symptoms that are easy to dismiss.
The good news is that the majority of CVD is preventable through lifestyle changes, heightened awareness and education, Rosen said — which means that 'your heart health is in your hands.'
'Know your numbers — cholesterol, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar — as all are important risk factors that can be modified,' she said.
Additionally, experts recommend eating a diet that is high in fiber and antioxidants, shooting for getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week and quitting smoking.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
18 hours ago
- Associated Press
Women who have been stalked may have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke
Research Highlights: Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET Monday, Aug. 11, 2025 ( NewMediaWire ) - August 11, 2025 - DALLAS — Women who reported having been stalked or obtained a restraining order were each more likely to experience a heart attack and/or stroke in later years compared to those who did not, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation. 'Although violence against women is common, and evidence has linked violence with consequences for women's later heart health, it is still not widely recognized or routinely considered by health care professionals as a potential cardiovascular risk factor among women,' said study author Rebecca B. Lawn, Ph.D., a research associate in epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston and at the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. 'We felt it was essential to look beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors in women and strengthen our understanding of the relationship between underexplored types of violence and heart health.' About 1 in 3 women have been stalked at some point in their lives, according to data on intimate partner violence collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study notes that common forms of violence against women, such as stalking, are rarely discussed in cardiovascular research. Lawn's previous research linked sexual assault and workplace harassment to higher blood pressure in women. Other studies report that people with restraining orders are more likely to experience poorer health. Researchers analyzed stalking, restraining orders, and heart disease or stroke development among participants in the Nurses' Health Study II, from 2001 to 2021. The analysis includes data for more than 66,000 women, average age 46 years in 2001. These women did not have cardiovascular disease in 2001, when they first shared whether they had experienced stalking or stalking harassment behaviors, such as receiving unsolicited correspondence, that made them fearful. The study also asked if participants had 'ever taken out' a restraining order, which is a legal document that seeks to limit contact between a victim and perpetrator. Obtaining a restraining order was considered a sign of severe violence. The analysis found: 'Stalking is often seen as a form of violence that does not involve physical contact, which may make it seem less serious,' Lawn said. 'However, our findings suggest stalking should not be minimized. Stalking can be chronic, and women often report making significant changes in response such as moving.' Harmony R. Reynolds, M.D., FAHA, immediate past chair of the American Heart Association's Clinical Cardiology & Stroke Women's Health Science Committee, said she was surprised at the strong association this study found between stalking and cardiovascular disease. 'A variety of stressful life experiences are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including adverse childhood experiences, financial stressors, grief and other experiences,' Reynolds said. 'People subjected to intimate partner violence face about a 30% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next few years compared to others. While this study shows a more moderate risk, given the long-time frame, it highlights how feeling unsafe can affect the body, in addition to the mind.' Reynolds, the Joel and Joan Smilow Professor of Cardiology and Director of the Sarah Ross Soter Center for Women's Cardiovascular Research at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, was not involved in this research, and noted that the effects of stress can be long-lasting. 'Perhaps because it is our nature to re-think about things that happen to us, making us experience the situation over and over. However, social support may mitigate the effects of stress. It's helpful to have people you can trust to talk with, whether they are family, friends, people in the community or professionals,' she said. Study authors note that the link between stalking and cardiovascular disease may be due to psychological distress, which may disrupt the nervous system, proper blood vessel function and other biological processes; however, these potential mechanisms were not examined in detail in this study. Lawn said more research, as well as training for health care professionals, is needed to understand the link between stalking or obtaining a restraining order and women's cardiovascular health. 'We also need to increase awareness about the potential health harms of experiencing violence and provide women with help and resources,' she said. Among the study's limitations are that participants—U.S. registered nurses—were mostly non-Hispanic white women. The findings may not apply to other populations or groups of people. The study notes that previous research indicated that, 'violence history, including stalking, is more common among women from minority racial/ethnic backgrounds and those with low income.' In addition, the study relied on participants self-reporting their history of experiencing stalking and restraining orders. Study Background: Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript. Studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here. Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Bridgette McNeill: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
Business Journals
3 days ago
- Business Journals
How one tech CEO turned a personal mission into impactful corporate philanthropy
Inspired by daughter Dani's experimental heart surgery, Erich Sanchack and the American Heart Association are aiming for global impact. Sanchack's journey with the American Heart Association began in 2010, when his company served as chair of the Heart Walk in Washington, D.C. The chair asked him to be the project lead for the event, where they raised record-breaking funds through a record-breaking turnout! At the time, it seemed like just another successful corporate philanthropy initiative. Little did Sanchack know that the money raised at that 2010 event would go directly toward a grant sponsoring research development that would eventually save Dani's life. After experiencing chest pain at her gymnastics class, 12-year-old Dani was diagnosed with a heart defect that is usually found postmortem. Doctors told her family that she needed an incredibly rare type of open-heart surgery that had hardly ever been performed on live patients. Sanchack began researching surgeons who had specialized in this type of surgery and would be able to confidently perform it for Dani. After looking across the United States, Sanchack found a division of Johns Hopkins that had done research into an experimental surgery for exactly Dani's condition. The Johns Hopkins surgeons were able to save Dani's life. After she recovered, Sanchack and the rest of the family learned that the research program that made the surgery possible was funded by the American Heart Association. Sanchack began to focus his philanthropy and leadership around the Association's priorities of research, equitable health, and community investment. While they lived in Washington, D.C., Sanchack served on the American Heart Association-Greater Washington board of directors from 2013 and helped to raise millions of dollars in support of the mission by chairing the Heart Walk in a record-breaking year. Through personal fundraising projects leveraging their own rock band tours and corporate partnerships across the world, Erich has continued to be a true ambassador. 'Erich's leadership was a driving force behind some of the most successful fundraising efforts in our region,' said American Heart Association-Greater Washington Executive Director Soula Antoniou. 'His strategic vision helped us advance life-saving research and community health initiatives. The lasting impact of his work continues to shape our efforts here in Washington, D.C.' When Sanchack moved to Austin, Texas, he continued to direct his energies towards helping create a world of longer, healthier lives. Currently, as Chief Executive Officer of Salute, Sanchack leads on operational excellence and invests in Salute's corporate social responsibility programs, including their unique veterans recruitment program. More recently becoming a lifetime sponsor for the Sea Wolf Association, Sanchack's commitment to community projects is exemplary. For the data center industry itself, Salute is a leading provider of integrated and end-to-end lifecycle services worldwide. Now over 1,800 people strong, the company has appointed thousands of military veterans and continues to invest in this community. Sanchack's dedication to leadership and excellence extends to his role on the American Heart Association-Austin's board of directors. In that time, he has contributed to Heart's brand awareness through his genuine appreciation for the vital support the American Heart Association provides to those facing potentially life-threatening situations. Sanchack is passionate about the Association's community investment initiatives and creating a direct impact in Austin. Beyond that, though, he is invested in Austin itself – and not just in the business world. Sanchack hosts a private music festival fundraiser each year to directly benefit organizations like the American Heart Association-Austin. That fundraiser features his rock band, That's What She Said, which regularly hits the streets in Austin and features Sanchack himself, a passionate musician, on electric guitar as well as his daughter Maddie on drums and vocals. 'At its heart, Austin is a city of music,' said Sanchack. 'Connecting music and philanthropic leadership is one of the main ways we can make a tangible difference in the community.' 'Without Erich, I think that Austin would be a very different place,' said Brad Wisdom, Executive Director of the American Heart Association-Austin. 'His strategic vision and dedication have helped us expand critical programs, raise significant funds, and strengthen our outreach to under-served communities. Erich has played a key role in shaping Austin's heart health landscape by bringing people together, championing our local initiatives, and ensuring that more families have access to life-saving resources. His passion is truly inspiring.' A Vision for a Nation of Lifesavers Now, Sanchack is turning his vision to the future. The American Heart Association is seeking to turn a nation of bystanders into a Nation of Lifesavers by doubling the number of people who are able to perform CPR in the event of a cardiac emergency. Ninety percent of people who experience out-of-hospital cardiac emergencies die, but quickly-administered CPR can double or even triple their chances of survival. Sanchack is now on a mission to use cutting-edge CPR training machines to have 100% of his over-1,800 employees at Salute Mission Critical trained in CPR in the next two years – globally. This will create a company of lifesavers, but Sanchack hopes that the impact goes even further beyond the bounds of Salute. 'If I'm able to lead the charge to create a healthier world at Salute, other companies can, too,' said Sanchack. 'I call on all of my fellow executive leaders to reach out to your networks, speak to your friends, and develop a plan to make your companies 100% trained in CPR as well. With your help, we can make Austin the safest place in America to have a cardiac arrest. And then we can work together to make America the safest place in the world to have a cardiac arrest.' Erich Sanchack's impact on the Heart Association, Austin, Washington, D.C., and America itself is large through his unique ability to combine executive leadership and community investment. Through fundraising, advocacy, and leadership development, Sanchack exemplifies how executives can extend their leadership beyond boardrooms, driving transformational change in their communities. Thank you, Erich! IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS $5.5M raised for heart health 2016 and 2020 record-breaking years in DC and Austin respectively 12 countries impacted 1,800+ staff to be trained in CPR by 2026 Working with 90% of the world's leading data center providers, Salute has the network to promote the great work of the American Heart Association Leadership with Heart Since the American Heart Association's founding in 1924, deaths from cardiovascular diseases have been cut in half. And yet, there are still so many lives to be saved. The Association's work in Austin helps increase access to care, provide education to the community, and create a healthier Austin. Here are the leaders on the board of directors making that a reality. Dr. Matt Ashley Board President Centre for Neuro Skills, Chief Medical Officer Virginia Visser Board Chairperson Erik Day Giving Society Ambassador Dell, SVP, SMB Transformation Eric Gribble Leadership Development Chair DPR Construction, Healthcare Core Market Leader Dr. George Arnaoutakis UT Health, Chief, Div. Of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Dr. Srikant Das Texas Children's, Pediatric & Adult Congenital Cardiologist Dr. Caitlin Giesler The Heart Center for Women, Founder/Cardiologist Mark Hauerland H-E-B, Director of Grocery Merchandising & Receiving Fennis Ho Community Advocate David Huffstutler St. David's HealthCare, CEO Scott Macintosh Valterra Partners, Co-CEO Brett Mattens Austin Heart Hospital, CEO Jessica McMillen National Strategic Consultant, UTSA Erich Sanchack Salute Mission Critical, CEO Edgar Saucedo Norsan Media, President Nina Seely Legends Real Estate, Owner/Realtor Adam Sencenbaugh Haynes Boone, Managing Partner Meredith Wells Ascension, Vice President of Neuroscience Service Line For more information about the Nation of Lifesavers and the American Heart Association's work in Austin, click here. The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on socials at @AmericanHeartTX.
CNN
4 days ago
- CNN
Here are good and bad ultraprocessed foods, according to the American Heart Association
Step aside, MAHA. The country's largest heart-health organization has just released its long-awaited guidelines for the consumption of ultraprocessed foods, or UPFs. The new scientific advisory statement from the American Heart Association comes just days before the arrival of the second 'Make America Healthy Again' or MAHA Commission report, spearheaded by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The first MAHA report, released in May, described how ultraprocessed foods were contributing to chronic illnesses in children. The second installment, due by Tuesday, is expected to lay out proposed policy changes. The American Heart Association's key message is not surprising: Most ultraprocessed foods are terrible for health, including heart health, and it is high time the food industry stopped producing them and regulators stopped letting them, the nonprofit says. But surprisingly, the AHA also dives nose first into the hotly debated question: Are all ultraprocessed foods unhealthy? Maybe not, according to the new guidelines released Friday in the journal Circulation. In reality, however, it's just a few categories, like 'certain whole grain breads, low-sugar yogurts, tomato sauces, and nut or bean-based spreads,' the report states. Even those 'healthy' options, the report adds, should be monitored to ensure they remain that way. That's no reason to celebrate, says Christopher Gardner, who is vice chair of the AHA report's writing group. 'Let's not give the industry a write-off just because there's a few things that are a bit healthier than the vast majority of ultraprocessed foods full of sugar, salt and fat,' he said. 'We have tons of evidence that too much salt, sugar and fat are harmful — we've known that since the days of junk food,' said Gardner, Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, who directs the Stanford Prevention Research Center's Nutrition Studies Research Group. 'But today's junk food is ultraprocessed with cosmetic additives that lead to overeating and tons of health issues,' he added. 'That's the problem. Can we please double down on those?' Guidance from the AHA is highly regarded by medical professionals and policy makers, and experts say tackling the issue of ultraprocessed food couldn't come at a better time. New data released Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found Americans over the age of 1 get 55% of their daily calories from ultraprocessed food. That number jumped to 62% for children between 1 and 18 years old. That's concerning, the AHA report said, because research has found a dose-response relationship between ultraprocessed foods and heart attacks and stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity and all-cause mortality. Just one extra serving a day of ultraprocessed food led to some 50% higher risk of cardiovascular disease-related death, according to a February 2024 review of 45 meta-analyses on almost 10 million people. Eating more ultraprocessed foods may also increase the risk of obesity by 55%, sleep disorders by 41%, development of type 2 diabetes by 40% and the risk of depression by 20%, according to the review. To counter these potential health harms, the AHA says Americans should stop eating as many of the most harmful UPFs as possible — especially those high in unhealthy fats, added sugars and salt — while allowing 'a small number of select, affordable UPFs of better diet quality' to be eaten as part of a healthy diet. Marion Nestle, the Paulette Goddard professor emerita of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University, was disappointed with the guidance. 'The emphasis on 'healthy' UPFs is not helpful for two reasons,' Nestle said in an email. 'The small number of foods in that category (of healthy UPFs), and the recent research demonstrating that even 'healthy' UPFs induce people to eat more calories than they would if they were eating minimally processed foods.' Nestle, who was not involved with the report, is referencing an August 4 study in which people in the United Kingdom lost twice as much weight eating meals typically made at home than they did when eating store-bought ultraprocessed food considered healthy. The research, which was one of the largest and longest randomized controlled clinical trials of UPFs to date, tried to create a healthy ultraprocessed diet. Ultraprocessed foods in the study included a recommended number of fruits, veggies and fiber as well as lower levels of salt, sugar and saturated fats. Yet, the study found, whole foods cooked at home still won the day when it came to weight loss. While science attempts to find out just what it is about UPF additives or processing that contributes to such findings, the AHA has provided some basic advice by assigning ultraprocessed foods into one of three categories: least healthy, moderately healthy and healthy. Healthier choices included fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables without added sugar or salt; whole grains such as oats and brown rice; unsalted seeds and nuts; dried beans and legumes; plant oils; low-fat plain milk or yogurt; lean, unprocessed meat; and dairy, unsweetened beverages and water. Plant-based meat and dairy that was low in added sugar, salt and fats were also considered healthy. Moderately healthy foods included white rice and pasta; full fat dairy; freshly made refined grain bread; salted nuts; canned fruits in light syrup; canned beans with salt; hard cheeses; egg replacements; and low sodium, low fat soups. Store-bought meals made with choices from the healthy group above were also in the category. The unhealthy group contained the usual culprits — high fat red meat, pork, processed meats (chicken nuggets, hot dogs, sausage), butter, lard and tropical oils such as coconut. Sour cream and 100% fruit juice made the list, as did sugar, honey, maple syrup, crackers, sweetened dried and canned fruit, tortilla or potato-based chips and French fries. Refined grain breads, rolls and tortillas were included as unhealthy, as were sugar-sweetened beverages (which included energy drinks), liquid cheese products, cookies, crackers, candies, gummy fruit snacks, ice cream, boxed macaroni, instant noodles, pizza, some canned or instant soups and canned fruits in syrup. Sign up for CNN's Eat, But Better: Mediterranean Style. Our eight-part guide shows you a delicious expert-backed eating lifestyle that will boost your health for life.
