The American Heart Association (AHA) has identified seven simple steps people can take to reduce their risk of heart disease. But new evidence suggests that the AHA's "Life's Simple 7" may wind up benefiting much more than patients' hearts. {C}

Heart risks can show up in some surprising places.

Americans may be living longer than ever before. In a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, measures of life span were up and rates of death were down.