The heart
The heart is the engine that powers the body. It is the centre of the circulatory system, pumping oxygenated blood around the body in arteries and returning it in veins. The lub-dub of a heartbeat is the rhythm that underlies all of human life. Since the heart is so important to keeping a human body running, heart disease is deadly. Maintaining your cardiovascular health includes keeping an eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as getting plenty of exercise.
Here's the single best way to reduce your cholesterol without statins
You don't need medication to improve cholesterol levels. A few simple dietary tweaks can make a serious difference
What's the most effective way to use a defibrillator?
A recent study suggests a new way to use a defibrillator that might double someone's chance of survival
Here's what you need to know if you take statins to lower your cholesterol
Statin use is already widespread and is increasing every year. But are the drugs right for everyone?
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Eating this breakfast staple every day could lower your cholesterol
This new study is no yolk
The 5 biggest women's health myths that need to end
The healthcare system wasn’t built for women. Here’s why that needs to change
7 small changes that will significantly cut your risk of heart disease
New studies have shown that several small lifestyle changes can drastically improve your heart health
A daily helping of this common pantry staple may lower your cholesterol, study finds
Beans, beans, good for your heart (you know the rest)
‘This is revolutionary!’: Breakthrough cholesterol treatment can cut levels by 69% after one dose
The future of heart attack prevention could be as easy as a single injection
Here's what actually causes high cholesterol (and how to cut it)
Despite its reputation as the main villain against heart health, cholesterol is still widely misunderstood
Simple walking hack could boost your heart health, study claims
Walking in this way could protect you from heart rhythm abnormalities, heart attacks and strokes
Here's what your hearing could say about your heart failure risk
A new study suggests hearing loss could raise your risk of heart failure – and reveal early warning signs of trouble
Here are the worst coffee types for your cholesterol levels
Your morning cup of joe might pack a punch – just not the kind you expect
This cholesterol-lowering drug combo could save hundreds of thousands of lives, claim scientists
Scientists are urging doctors to make this the go-to treatment for people across the globe
10 million Americans have this serious heart condition. Here's what to look out for
Rates of atrial fibrillation are speeding up, what can we do to monitor?
Are at-home heart tests actually worth it? A doctor explains
A little-known health test could save your life… for a price.
How much cheese is too much cheese?
Your stomach is likely to tell you when you have reached peak cheese, but is there an exact measure of how much is too much?
Mending a broken heart – The British Heart Foundation photography competition winners
Take a look at some amazing images of the human heart courtesy of the British Heart Foundation's 'Reflections of Research' photography competition.
How cutting hidden salt from your diet could slash your risk of heart problems by 10% - a nutritionist explains
For millennia we have used salt to make foods last longer and taste better. But the science surrounding it is tricky – we need some to survive and function, but too much can have consequences for health.
What’s the longest a human can hold their breath underwater?
Breathe in! People can hold air in their lungs for a surprising length of time.
'Heart attack on a chip’ could unlock new cardiac treatments
The device allows researchers to observe changes to heart tissue in real time.
AI can predict the risk of heart disease by analysing a single chest X-ray
The model could be used to identify at-risk patients who are not currently taking preventative medication.
How does a defibrillator work?
It delivers an electric current to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat.
Getting as little as 10 minutes of vigorous exercise a week can help us to live longer
Fitness tracker study shows that getting several bursts of intense activity through the week can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Instant Genius Podcast | The heart, with Sian Harding
Ever wondered why the heart is connected to love? Or how you can keep your heart health in good shape? We spoke to Sian Harding, author of The Exquisite Machine: The new science of the heart, to find out.