Researchers emphasize that quality sleep is essential for maintaining strong cardiovascular health. For post-menopausal women, however, getting enough rest can be challenging. A new study published in the journal of the Menopause Society reports that women experiencing sleep-related problems are more susceptible to developing hypertension — a major risk factor for heart disease.
The American Heart Association is also highlighting early findings from a study showing that adults with heart disease may dramatically reduce their risk of heart attack by taking vitamin D. Participants whose vitamin D levels were brought to recommended ranges by healthcare professionals saw their heart attack risk drop by more than half compared with those who did not optimize their levels.
And here’s some good news for coffee lovers: A UC San Francisco study found that drinking one cup of caffeinated coffee per day reduced the incidence of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) by 39%. This challenges previous assumptions that caffeine might worsen A-Fib. So if your doctor gives the go-ahead, you can enjoy that morning cup of coffee with confidence.