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Medical News Today
4 days ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Keto vs. Mediterranean: Both diets may help lower blood pressure
Keto vs. Mediterranean: Which diet gets better results for weight loss and blood pressure? Design by MNT; Photography by& Westend61/Getty Images Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be managed through a number of lifestyle changes, including eating a healthy diet. Past studies have linked the Mediterranean and ketogenic diets as a way to help lower blood pressure. A new study offers further evidence that both the Mediterranean and keto diets can help lower a person's blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health measurements in people who have obesity or overweight. Clinically known as hypertension, this medical condition occurs when the force with which blood flows through the arteries is too high. A study published in April 2024 reported that following the Mediterranean diet was linked to a lower risk for high blood pressure. Another study published in July 2019 showed that following a low carbohydrate diet like the keto diet helped lower blood pressure readings in people with type 2 diabetes. Now, a new study offers further evidence that both the Mediterranean and keto diets can help lower a person's blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health measurements in people who have obesity or overweight. The findings were published in the journal Nutrients. Eleven of the study participants were randomly assigned to follow the Mediterranean diet, and the remaining 15 followed the keto diet over a period of three months. At the study's conclusion, researchers found that participants in both diet groups experienced a decrease in blood pressure and weight loss after three months. There was one area where researchers reported a difference between the Mediterranean and keto diets. They reported that participants following the keto diet had a higher level of 'nocturnal dipping' than those in the keto group. 'Nocturnal dipping refers to the natural decrease in blood pressure that occurs when we sleep,' Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA — who is not associated with this study — told Medical News Today . 'It is a measure of healthy blood pressure regulation, and abnormal nocturnal dipping patterns have been associated with increased risk of heart disease,' he said. A 10-20% dip in blood pressure while you sleep is considered normal. Past studies show that not experiencing nocturnal dipping, or the reverse of it, known as nocturnal hypertension , can increase a person's risk for cardiovascular disease. When asked about his reaction to this study's findings, Chen commented that while the Mediterranean and keto diets are somewhat different in their food restrictions, the study results suggest that there may be different dietary techniques that can achieve the same beneficial outcome, depending on the food preferences of an individual. 'Metabolic syndrome — including high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, and disordered lipids — remains a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease,' he explained. 'Lifestyle modification, such as diet improvements, will be essential in order to help control the burden of heart disease in our society.' 'Further research including larger controlled studies with a more diverse population will be necessary to confirm these findings, and to evaluate for any potential benefit to clinical outcomes,' Chen added. MNT also spoke with Mir Ali, MD, a board certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon, and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, about this research, who commented that its findings are in line with what he recommends to patients. 'Both the keto and the Mediterranean diets emphasize a reduction in carbohydrate and sugar intake, and that's what we found is the best way to kind of shift the body into burning fat is by reducing all the carbohydrates and sugars.' — Mir Ali, MD 'Unfortunately, obesity is an increasing problem in the U.S. and other westernized countries, so the more we can find ways to combat that, find foods that are going to help people lose weight and head to a healthier diet, then maybe some of these larger food manufacturers will start shifting their focus to foods that just taste good to foods that may actually be helpful,' Ali continued. Because this was a smaller study, Ali suggested expanding it to a larger patient base or population to refine it further. 'What is it about these two types of diets that are helpful?,' he asked. 'Is it reducing processed foods or is it more reducing the carbohydrates and sugars? So there are some differences between the diets, and trying to define further what is optimal between these two diets.' While both the Mediterranean and keto diets are popular dietary plans for people to follow, they may not be right for everyone. We asked Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, for her top tips for readers on how to decide which diet is personally best for them to follow if they want to lose weight and lower their blood pressure. 'Meeting with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is recommended to further explore which dietary pattern may be most appropriate for an individual's needs, current health condition, preferences, goals, genetics and lifestyle,' Richard said. 'RDNs are trained to bridge the gap between science and everyday life. If you're looking to manage weight or blood pressure in a way that's realistic and sustainable, working with an RDN can be a game-changer.' 'It is also important to consider if the specific dietary pattern is sustainable for a long period of time and can be a lifestyle versus a controlled experiment or 'temporary fix',' she continued. 'Think of dietary patterns like a playlist — the right mix can set the tone for a healthier rhythm in your body and the days ahead.' Richard suggested honing in on increasing foods rich in nutrients with many health benefits, such as: Healthy fats like olives, extra-virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds. Non-starchy vegetables such as leafy greens, beets, peppers, onions, garlic, scallions, tomatoes, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Herbs such as chives, basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, and sage. Proteins from plants and animals, such as goat cheese, yogurt, beans and lentils, fish, hummus, and tzatziki. High fiber foods from whole grains like oats, whole wheat, and rye, and fresh fruits in season such as peaches, plums, apples, grapes, berries, pears, oranges, figs, dates, and cherries. Incorporation of green, black, white, or herbal teas. 'There's no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to dietary patterns — unless it's a kitchen apron. I encourage clients and patients to try to move away from chasing labels —'Mediterranean,' 'low-carb,' 'plant-based'— and move toward tuning into how food functions for our unique needs.' — Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Where there s smoke, there s fire and heart health risks
( NewMediaWire ) - May 30, 2025 - DALLAS — Smoke from Canada wildfires is rapidly drifting into the U.S. and the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, warns that this wildfire smoke exposure may pose an increased risk for heart disease. 'While breathing problems and respiratory health dangers are often considered the biggest health impact from wildfire smoke, it's important to recognize the impact on cardiovascular health, as well.,' said Keith Churchwell, M.D., FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer president, an associate clinical Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut and adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. 'Wildfire smoke contains a lot of pollutants including fine, microscopic particles linked to cardiovascular risk. As these fires continue to burn that contaminated smoke is traveling many miles beyond the immediately affected area.' Several research studies have linked smoke exposure to an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest and a higher volume of visits to local emergency rooms for other cardiovascular disease-related causes. People with underlying cardiovascular disease risk factors may be at risk for an acute cardiovascular event when exposed to wildfire smoke. According to the American Heart Association, recognizing the signs of a heart attack or stroke are important. Churchwell urges pay attention to your body and call 911 if you have: Additionally, knowing and performing CPR can more than double the chance of survival in the event of a cardiac arrest. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with other government and private agencies, offers a zip code-level tracking map of current air quality at Churchwell recommends checking that site regularly if you're seeing signs of wildfire smoke and haze developing where you live. It's also important to stay informed about any special alerts sent out by your local health department. Churchwell offers the following tips for reducing exposure to wildfire smoke: 'While these types of wildfires and the extent of their smoke reach can't always be predicted, protecting yourself and your family from poor air quality throughout the year is something to consider,' Churchwell said. 'In the American Heart Association's 2020 scientific statement on air pollution exposure, we note that one of the most effective measures is the use of portable air cleaners, which have been shown to reduce indoor particulate matter by as much as 50-60%. Given their modest upfront cost ($50-200) and potential benefits in reducing cardiopulmonary outcomes, this measure has a high benefit for the cost.' Churchwell said while most people in the U.S. are not directly impacted by the physical wildfires burning in Canada, the exposure to this lingering smoke can be extremely harmful and shouldn't be taken for granted. 'Protect yourself, be alert and prepared,' he said. The American Heart Association has resources to help at Additional Resources: ### For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Cathy Lewis: 214-706-1324, [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
Medical News Today
27-05-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Aging: Exercise timing, consistency can affect heart and lung fitness
Written by Corrie Pelc on May 27, 2025 — Fact checked by Amanda Ward Exercise timing and consistency can influence heart and lung fitness as we age. Image credit: Alina Rudya/. Researchers have come to have a better understanding of how the body's circadian rhythm impacts their overall health. Past studies show that disrupting the natural sleep/wake cycle can increase a person's risk for several health conditions. The circadian rhythm also defines the times a person performs activities during the day, such as when they exercise. A new study says that people who work out at the same time every day may improve their cardiovascular and lung health as they age. Over the past few years, researchers have come to have a better understanding of how the body's circadian rhythm impacts overall health. In addition to regulating when you are awake or sleeping, the circadian rhythm also defines the times you perform activities during the day such as when you go to work, when you eat different meals, and when you exercise. Now, a new study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise reports that people who work out at the same time every day may improve their cardiovascular and lung health as they age. For this study, researchers recruited about 800 older adults with an average age of 76 years. Study participants were asked to wear wrist-worn accelerometers for seven days to measure their daily activity, and also underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess their heart and lung health. 'Cardiorespiratory fitness is a measure of how well your heart, lungs, and muscles work together in response to exercise,' Karyn Esser, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Physiology and Aging in the College of Medicine at the University of Florida, senior author of this study, told Medical News Today . 'Higher values are strongly associated with longer lifespan and lower mortality risks,' Esser explained. The study also evaluated the walking efficiency of participants, which is considered another indicator of healthy aging. 'Walking efficiency provides an assessment of how efficiently the body uses energy to walk forward,' Esser noted. 'The more efficient you are, the farther you can walk. It's another measure of fitness.' At the study's conclusion, Esser and her team found that participants who had the most activity during the active part of their day relative to their daily resting time, and whose maximum daily activity happened earlier in the day, were correlated to better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency. 'We found that earlier peak activity was associated with better outcomes even when you [take] into account the amount of activity,' the researcher detailed. 'This suggests that getting moving earlier in the day could provide a health benefit. In addition, we found that the amplitude of the activity, or amount of activity during the day was healthy, this is maybe not such a surprise.' Additionally, scientists observed that better health outcomes were correlated to having a greater consistency in daily activity patterns, with the highest activity time happening at the same time every day. 'This was an interesting finding as, again, we took into account the amount of activity so this is saying that being consistent with your activity pattern is an additional parameter of your activity that likely contributes to healthy outcomes,' Esser said. To sum up, Esser said that this study finds that maintaining a daily programme of activity that includes attention to the timing and consistency of activity is important for maintaining health as we age. 'While we are living longer, in general, we are not living healthier,' she explained. 'So it is important to find ways to help people maintain or improve their health while aging, [to] improve quality of life and diminish the impact of age-related chronic diseases.' 'We suggest that the earlier time of activity and repeatability of the activity provide benefits in addition to just the activity alone,' Esser continued. 'Lastly, we propose that the timing and reproducibility of the activity are working with our intrinsic circadian clock system to maintain health.' 'We are continuing to expand our clinical study of circadian, or time of day activity behavior, with other outcomes including sleep, pain, cognition, and mental health,' she added. 'In addition, my lab has ongoing preclinical studies to determine more mechanistically how the timing of activity impacts health with aging.' MNT had the opportunity to speak with Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, about this study. 'This study found an association between the timing of daily physical activity and measures of cardiopulmonary fitness,' Chen commented. 'This suggests that we may eventually be able to better tailor our exercise recommendations in order to optimize the physiological benefits.' 'Getting regular exercise is an essential part of staying healthy as you get older. As our population ages, strategies to improve physical fitness may help us reduce the burden of disease in our society. More research will be needed to determine whether intentionally changing and optimizing the rhythm of daily physical activity will lead to better health outcomes.' – Cheng-Han Chen, MD Heart Disease Seniors / Aging Sports Medicine / Fitness
Medscape
21-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
How GPs Can Safely Guide Patients Back to Sports
During a recent webinar hosted by the Scientific Society of General Medicine, Christophe Scavée, MD, head of the Department of Cardiology and Rhythmology Unit at Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium, discussed the critical role that general practitioners (GPs) play in sports screening. He outlined the essential steps GPs should take when patients want to start or resume exercise and when a referral to a cardiologist is necessary. The following summarizes the key insights for ensuring safe sports participation through effective cardiovascular assessment. Benefits of Exercise Before addressing the risk factors, Scavée emphasized the benefits of physical activity. 'Exercise is the best treatment for cardiovascular ( CV) prevention and mental health. Individuals who exercise several times a week live longer and age in better health,' Scavée stated. He acknowledged that physical activity could have adverse effects. 'Recently, during the Tour of Flanders, two participants in their 50s died following a heart attack. These patients certainly had risk factors. Although exercise is beneficial, sports increase the risk of cardiovascular death during the activity. The role of physicians is to emphasize the importance of engaging in physical activity under the right conditions,' he said. Scavée explained that CV events can be predicted in two major age groups. Before the age of 35 years, acute CV events are extremely rare — approximately 1 in 100,000-200,000 — in individuals with genetic heart diseases. After the age of 35 years, CV events are often caused by atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. This trend highlights the need for early risk assessment, which often begins in primary care. 'Still, cases of heart attacks in patients in their 20s are increasing. These often occur because risk factors have gone undiagnosed, such as familial hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and drug use,' he noted. Risk Assessment Scavée outlined three critical questions that GPs should ask when evaluating patients' readiness for physical activity and raising awareness of risky behaviors. 1. Does the individual have a history of CV disease? Does the individual have a history of ischemic disease, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, arrhythmia, or pacemaker implantation? The answers to these questions will determine how an individual is directed toward a particular sport at a particular intensity and level. 2. What type of sports does the patient want to participate in? Men in their forties and fifties are taking on new sporting challenges and setting ambitious fitness goals without adequate preparation. Whether aiming for a 20 km run or an ultramarathon, the intensity of the activity must be evaluated carefully. Moreover, intensity is not inherent to sports but to the individual's goals. You can cycle or run at low, medium, or high intensities. 3. Under what conditions will sports be performed? Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, air pollution, and altitude can significantly affect safety during physical activity. Special caution is required in aquatic activities because even minor discomfort can lead to drowning. Key Steps Discussing risk factors with patients is essential; however, a history of a heart attack does not necessarily mean that patients should avoid more intense physical activity. 'Studies show that individuals who want to engage in physical exercise on the weekend or more intense sports, provided individuals are trained properly beforehand, have a CV risk that is only slightly higher than that of individuals who have never had a cardiac event. It is important to be cautious, but not to overreact,' said Scavée. The first key step for GPs is to take a detailed medical history. 'Screening for family history is particularly important,' emphasized Scavée. It is essential to know an individual's medical history and risk factors. Cholesterol and blood sugar levels should be checked if they have not been previously assessed. Discussions about alcohol consumption and doping substances are also necessary; for instance, smoking just 30 minutes before running significantly increases the risk for coronary artery disease. Symptoms other than chest pain, syncope, or loss of consciousness during exercise should not be overlooked. 'I hate it, it is never normal,' Scavée warned. 'If an athlete says they feel weak and senses something has changed, believe them and proceed with an evaluation. If they use a smartwatch, reviewing their data can be extremely useful,' he added. For patients wanting to return to sports who have no prior assessment and believe they are asymptomatic, a simple question can help: Can you climb a few flights of stairs without becoming breathless? 'Physical capacity is an excellent indicator of resistance to effort and the risks involved in resuming sports,' he said. Scavée also recommended calculating the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2 (SCORE2) in individuals. The SCORE2 estimates the 10-year risk for CV events and mortality in individuals. 'This should be applied to all patients consulting about resuming or continuing physical activity,' he advised. Individuals are then categorized into three risk levels — low, moderate, or high —based on factors such as age, sex, blood pressure, and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. A comprehensive CV assessment in high-risk patients should be performed before providing them with an answer. During clinical examinations, GPs must measure blood pressure and heart rate and auscultate heart murmurs, such as those caused by aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, aortic insufficiency, and aortic coarctation. Should an ECG always be performed? Opinions vary. 'It is particularly recommended for young elite athletes,' said Scavée. 'For amateurs, it depends on the intensity of their activity. Personally, I recommend it in most cases, as it provides valuable information, and it is not something that will strain the healthcare budget.' According to Scavée, GPs should refer patients to cardiologists in the following situations: Need an ECG if the GP does not have one Presence of a murmur Physical exam findings are suggestive of Marfan syndrome Hypertension High-risk SCORE2 results Abnormal ECG findings Exceptional sports goals, such as climbing Mount Everest. Although stress tests are useful for high-risk patients, they are not always the best solution. 'A stress test should be performed for high-risk individuals. For a test to be positive, the patient must have ischemia. However, most athletes have soft, non-stenosing carotid artery plaques that are not associated with ischemic events. Stress tests can also provide false reassurance. Stress tests remain useful for unwell individuals but not for those who may suddenly become ill. Therefore, these findings should be combined with imaging. Of course, it is up to the cardiologist to decide what is necessary,' explained Scavée. Scavée recommended a calcium score scan for athletes or amateurs aiming for more intensive activities. 'It takes 5 minutes, requires no injections, and is inexpensive. It is not recommended for all athletes but becomes particularly useful after 50 years of age,' Scavée said. This scan identifies coronary artery calcifications. A score above 300 warrants a referral to a cardiologist for further evaluation. 'This indicates coronary artery disease that requires close monitoring,' he noted. Scavée concluded by highlighting situations in which a GP should advise against continuing or resuming physical activity. If unsure, the GP should recommend temporarily stopping the activity and consulting a cardiologist and/or sports physician. 'It is important to explain things clearly to the patient. Just because the tests did not detect a disease or no immediate major risk was identified does not mean that there is no risk. We must continue to encourage sports, particularly among stable and healthy individuals. Known risk factors should be assessed and managed appropriately,' Scavée concluded. This story was translated from MediQuality.
Health Line
19-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
I Did the StairMaster for 45 Minutes Every Day
Climbing stairs is associated with health benefits such as improved cardiovascular health and reduced waist circumference. However, doing it for 45 minutes straight can be particularly challenging. The StairMaster is a machine that simulates climbing an endless flight of stairs. Like on a treadmill, you can adjust the speed, and some models come with presets that include different interval speeds over a set amount of time. While there is no formal research on the StairMaster specifically, climbing stairs as a form of exercise is associated with several health benefits, such as: improving cardiovascular health reducing waist circumference reducing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and insulin sensitivity It can also help make completing daily tasks easier. These benefits may be observed after just four to eight weeks. Climbing the StairMaster for 45 minutes is a recent social media trend. I tried this for one week and will share my experience below. My setup I thought it would be important to disclose my circumstances before diving into my review of the experience. My cardiorespiratory fitness is low, and I am a sedentary individual. I have not engaged in regular, moderate to intense aerobic exercise for around three years. In other words, I started this challenge from zero. I engaged in this exercise first thing in the morning, around 7:30 a.m. daily. I could not climb the StairMaster for 45 minutes straight, so I broke it into three 15-minute sessions. The StairMaster I used reported that I climbed around 40 floors per session. I listened to an audiobook that I only played while on the StairMaster. No matter how much I wanted to listen to the book, I would reserve it for the StairMaster. I did this to motivate myself. How to increase your time on the StairMaster If you are like me and cannot complete the 45 minutes at once, you can break up the total time into several smaller segments. For example, you can start with three 15-minute sessions. After you are comfortable with this, you can slowly increase the length of each session. For example, you can do two 20-minute sessions and one 5-minute session at the end. Slowly increase the length of each session and decrease the number of sessions until you can complete the 45 minutes at once. How I felt This was a particularly difficult challenge for me. Climbing the StairMaster for such a long time every day, without switching to another form of exercise or taking rest days, was tiring. Additionally, after one week, I could not complete the 45 minutes at once. I had to stop after 15 minutes each time. This is due to my low cardiorespiratory fitness, and you may be able to complete more extended periods. My muscles did not feel sore despite not engaging in this type of exercise for a long time. If I go on a run after a long time having not done so, I feel sore afterwards, so this was interesting. Would I do it again? No. This was a very taxing form of exercise for me, as I am not a fan of cardio. I could see myself incorporating the StairMaster for a short time—maybe 15 to 20 minutes—into my usual exercise routine. However, I would not climb for 45 minutes, even broken up into multiple sessions.
