From the Guidelines
The best way to improve cardiovascular health is through a combination of regular aerobic exercise, a heart-healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and managing stress, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. To achieve this, individuals should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week, as suggested by the 2024 ESC guidelines for the management of chronic coronary syndromes 1.
- A heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while limiting processed foods, saturated fats, and sodium, is also crucial.
- Maintaining a healthy weight, with a BMI < 25 kg/m², and avoiding central obesity, is important for reducing cardiovascular risk.
- Not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption to moderate levels (up to one drink daily for women and two for men), and managing stress are also vital components of a cardiovascular health improvement plan. For those with existing risk factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol, medication may be necessary alongside lifestyle changes, with common medications including statins (like atorvastatin 10-80mg daily) for cholesterol management, ACE inhibitors or ARBs for blood pressure control, and low-dose aspirin (81mg daily) for certain high-risk individuals, as recommended by a doctor 1. Regular health check-ups are essential to monitor cardiovascular risk factors and adjust the treatment plan as needed, with the goal of achieving the characteristics of people who tend to stay healthy, such as no smoking, healthy food choices, physical activity, and a healthy BMI, as outlined in the European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice 1. Overall, a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention, as described in the American Heart Association guide for improving cardiovascular health at the community level 1, is necessary to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve overall cardiovascular health.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Improving Cardiovascular Health
To improve cardiovascular health, several lifestyle changes and interventions can be implemented. These include:
- Increasing physical activity, which has extensive benefits, including improving both blood pressure and blood cholesterol, as stated in the study by 2
- Adopting a heart-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean, DASH, or plant-based diets, which have proven cardioprotective effects, as discussed in the study by 3
- Reducing dietary saturated fat and substituting it with polyunsaturated fatty acids, as associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, according to the study by 4
- Managing hypertension using combination therapy, including lifestyle modifications and medication, as outlined in the study by 5
Lifestyle Interventions
Lifestyle interventions, such as:
- Regular physical exercise
- Body weight management
- Healthy dietary patterns
- Stress management
- Promotion of adequate sleep patterns coupled with circadian entrainment can be used for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of hypertension, as supported by the study by 6
Key Recommendations
Key recommendations for improving cardiovascular health include:
- At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, as recommended by the study by 4
- Increasing physical activity by any level, which is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, as stated in the study by 4
- Introducing muscle-strengthening activities at least twice per week in previously inactive adults, which is associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes, according to the study by 4