Modifying dietary habits, increasing exercise, quitting smoking, managing stress, controlling blood pressure, reducing high cholesterol, and monitoring diabetes can substantially decrease the likelihood of heart disease.
In the ongoing quest for heart health, traditional methods such as exercise and diet remain crucial. However, recent research is shedding light on lesser-known habits that could potentially support cardiovascular well-being.
According to a study by the University College London (UCL), increasing vagus nerve activity through stimulation could improve heart health. This intervention, which leverages the connection between the heart and brain, has shown promise in boosting fitness and exercise tolerance, regulating immune activity, and reducing inflammation [1]. While still in its early stages, the findings suggest that targeting neural pathways like the vagus nerve might become a new tool for improving cardiovascular outcomes.
A daily snooze of more than 60 minutes, on the other hand, has been linked to a higher risk of death from a heart problem, according to a meta-analysis by scientists at the University of Tokyo [2].
Singing for 14 minutes a day could have a similar positive impact on heart rate variability as light exercise, while adding just four minutes of vigorous activity in chunks of one minute or more can halve the risk of a heart attack for women who are relatively sedentary [3].
Social isolation and loneliness also pose a significant risk to heart health. A 2023 study of the UK Biobank found that socially isolated or lonely people had a 15-29% higher risk of developing heart problems [4]. Interestingly, subjective loneliness appears to be a stronger psychological (and therefore cardiovascular) stressor than social isolation.
Adopting 'heart healthy' habits could potentially keep your body biologically young, as measured by DNA methylation, according to the Journal of the American Heart Association [5]. Taking exercise snacks, accumulating the same total amount of moderate-to-vigorous exercise throughout the day, offers similar benefits for heart health.
The Mediterranean diet, long known for its heart health benefits, has also been found to influence heart health in unexpected ways. New research has uncovered a surprising connection between the diet and the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries [6].
Sleeping in a quiet room can improve rest and potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, as loud and disruptive nighttime noise can trigger the body's stress response and impair blood vessel function [7].
Rising obesity rates play a role in the increase of heart disease risk, but recent research from Harvard Medical School suggests that even people with a normal body mass index could be at risk due to hidden 'fatty muscles' [8].
A major review from Italy's University of Palermo concluded that promoting the adoption of the Mediterranean diet could be an effective strategy for mitigating the burden of cardiovascular disease globally [9].
Eating a Mediterranean diet can also improve mental resilience, increase overall life satisfaction, and may even slow aging [10].
Intriguingly, having a healthy heart at age 50 can lower your overall risk of developing dementia, even if you're already experiencing cognitive decline [11].
Flossing at least once a week could also reduce the risk of cardioembolic stroke and atrial fibrillation by 44% and 12%, respectively, according to a 2025 study [12].
Finally, a study carried out by a team at the University of Athens found that apparently healthy people, particularly working men, who took a siesta were less likely to have died from a heart problem when followed up with six years later [13].
These findings add a new dimension to heart health beyond traditional habits, potentially employing technology or interventions that increase vagal tone, reflecting a science-backed but relatively little-known method for supporting heart health.
References: [1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-91355-0 [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7042932/ [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5530622/ [4] https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.n1298 [5] https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.036705 [6] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41568-020-00734-9 [7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3902366/ [8] https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/hidden-dangers-of-visceral-fat [9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4476902/ [10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6431820/ [11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4642815/ [12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7091509/ [13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4736008/
- Recent research is delving into neuroscience, focusing on increasing vagus nerve activity through stimulation for potential improvements in heart health.
- The impact of different habits on cardiovascular well-being is being explored through ongoing research.
- Scientists at the University of Tokyo linked a daily sleep duration exceeding 60 minutes to a higher risk of death from heart problems.
- Singing for 14 minutes a day or adding four minutes of vigorous activity could have positive effects on heart health.
- Social isolation and loneliness are significant risk factors for heart health issues, according to a 2023 study.
- Adopting heart-healthy habits, including exercise snacks, could potentially keep the body biologically younger, as measured by DNA methylation.
- New research reveals the Mediterranean diet's influence on heart health and the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries.
- Sleeping in a quiet environment could improve rest and potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Obesity rates play a role in heart disease risk, but recent Harvard Medical School research suggests normal body mass index individuals could still be at risk.
- The Mediterranean diet has been found to offer mental resilience, increased life satisfaction, and potential slowing of aging.
- Maintaining a healthy heart at age 50 could lower the overall risk of developing dementia, even in the presence of cognitive decline.
- Flossing at least once a week may reduce the risk of cardioembolic stroke and atrial fibrillation by 44% and 12%, respectively, a 2025 study found.
- A 2023 University of Athens study revealed that people who took a siesta had a lower risk of heart-related deaths.
- Promoting the Mediterranean diet could be an effective global strategy for mitigating the burden of cardiovascular disease, as concluded by a major review from Italy's University of Palermo.
- These discoveries and research findings add a new perspective to heart health, potentially utilizing scientifically backed methods that increase vagal tone or promote overall well-being.
