Outlook in 2013

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the grim reaper's primary calling card, but people can take steps to keep the world's number one killer at bay.

Mental factors beyond stress trigger physiological changes that can cause heart disease.

Better thought-out town planning and interior design can create healthier environments, but how to effectively implement the best designs remains uncertain.

Research is illuminating the molecular mechanisms that can cascade into debilitating heart disease.

Improving lifestyles could halve the number of deaths caused by cardiovascular disease, says Joep Perk.

New imaging methods and biomarkers may help identify people who are at risk for heart disease but are overlooked by standard risk assessments.

New drugs and more focused therapy might cut down on atrial fibrillation and reduce the incidence of stroke.

A hormone system adapted for self-preservation can break and fix your heart, say Sébastien Foulquier, Ulrike Muscha Steckelings and Thomas Unger.

The standard medications for hypertension and cholesterol have lingering issues, but new drugs hold promise for high-risk patients.