America’s heart health is improving in one key way, but a newly defined syndrome is raising alarms.

The findings come from the American Heart Association (AHA), which reported improvements in life expectancy and fewer heart attacks and strokes compared to 2023.

New to this year’s report is a focus on cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a framework that examines interconnected risks tied to heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity.

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The AHA estimates that nearly 90% of U.S. adults have at least one component of CKM syndrome.

While fewer Americans are dying from cardiovascular events, experts warn the prevalence of these risk factors could drive future disease if left unaddressed.

The data show the impact is not evenly distributed across age groups.

“We see a mixed report with some good news and some concerning news,” Dr. Bradley Serwer, an interventional cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, told Fox News Digital.

Stroke deaths increased among certain age groups, including an 8.3% rise among adults ages 25 to 34 and an 18.2% increase among people over age 85, according to the AHA.

The data also showed increases in high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity among children and adolescents ages 2 to 19.

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Serwer said the rise in stroke deaths among younger adults is particularly concerning because it reflects long-term risk that can build silently over time.

He noted prevention strategies aimed at lowering cardiovascular risk.

The AHA promotes a comprehensive prevention strategy known as “Life’s Essential 8,” which focuses on eight modifiable components of cardiovascular health, Serwer explained.

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The eight elements include a healthy diet, participation in physical activity, avoidance of nicotine, healthy sleep, healthy weight, and healthy levels of blood lipids, blood glucose and blood pressure.

He noted that improving those factors could prevent up to 40% of annual all-cause and cardiovascular deaths among adults.

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“It is not good enough to sit back and celebrate a reduction in heart attacks and strokes,” Serwer said. “We have to look aggressively at the data regarding our youth and target ways to combat childhood obesity, high blood pressure and metabolic syndromes which will manifest as cardiovascular disease down the road.”

About one in five Americans do not get any physical activity outside of work, and where you live may play a major role in how likely you are to break a sweat during your time off, according to a new report.

New federal data shows wide differences in physical inactivity from state to state, Axios reported. Nearly 22% of adults say they get no physical activity beyond their regular job, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the United Health Foundation’s latest America’s Health Rankings report.

Mississippi ranks as the least active state, with 30.6% of adults reporting no exercise outside of work. West Virginia and Arkansas follow closely behind at 28.7% and 28.5%, respectively, reporting no extra physical activity. 

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Several Southern and Appalachian states saw similarly high rates, according to the report, which looked at national data from 2024.

Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky and Oklahoma followed closely behind, each reporting inactivity rates of roughly 28%.

At the other end of the spectrum, Washington, D.C., reported the lowest rate of physical inactivity overall — 13.9% — though, among states, Colorado (15.6%), Vermont (16%) and Utah (17%) ranked as the most active. 

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Washington and Minnesota followed closely behind, each reporting inactivity rates of roughly 17% to 18%.

States with major cities such as New York and California generally landed closer to the middle of the rankings. New York reported an inactivity rate of about 24%, while California came in near the national average at 21%.

Tennessee was the only state without available data.

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Public health experts warn that inactivity carries serious health consequences. The United Health Foundation notes that insufficient physical activity is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, dementia, anxiety and depression. 

“Being physically active and reducing sedentary behavior improves health at all ages,” the report stated.

Federal guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity.

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Adults who exceed minimum activity guidelines have significantly lower risks of death from cardiovascular disease and other causes, a large study published in the journal Circulation found. 

Even adding as little as 10 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per day could prevent tens of thousands of deaths annually, according to the researchers.

Inactivity rates are significantly higher among adults with lower incomes, less education, disabilities and those living in rural areas, according to the United Health Foundation. People in physically demanding jobs may also be less likely to exercise recreationally than those with desk jobs.

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Still, there are signs of progress, with physical inactivity improving nationally, according to the nonprofit. 

Nationally, the number of adults reporting no physical activity declined from 24.2% in 2023 to 21.8% in 2024, the lowest level since tracking began nearly three decades ago. 

Notable improvements were found in states like Minnesota, Vermont and Wyoming.

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Many of the states with the lowest inactivity rates also ranked among the healthiest overall, led by New Hampshire and followed by Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Utah. Louisiana was the least healthy state overall, trailed by Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and West Virginia, according to the report.

“As we reflect on the findings in this year’s Annual Report, we must rededicate ourselves to improving health care in this country and creating a healthier nation for all,” Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson, executive vice president and chief medical officer at UnitedHealth Group, said in a statement.

Men are swapping out their underwear over growing concerns about fertility and hormone health.

The movement has been happening online, as some men are attempting to swap out their polyester shorts and undergarments for cotton, wool and other organic materials.

They are avoiding synthetic fabrics over concerns about microplastics, “forever chemicals” and a potential link to infertility, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

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Recent studies have suggested that microplastics — most often found in the environment, air, water and food — can carry pollutants into the human organs and cause health complications, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular issues and cell damage.

As more organic underwear brands for men surface and grow in popularity, these concerns have also been fueled by conversations on social media and podcasts.

Dr. Paul Turek, a reproductive urologist and microsurgeon in California, told the Journal that “microplastic conversations are constant now.”

Although he advises his patients to reduce plastic exposure, Turek said he has yet to see research to validate these concerns.

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Dr. Jaime Knopman, director of fertility preservation at CCRM Fertility New York and author of “Own Your Fertility,” told Fox News Digital that “theoretically,” wearing briefs can pose a fertility risk, but not just because of the material.

“While a change in underwear could help improve fertility, it is rarely the sole cause of infertility.”

“The tight fit can raise the temperature of a man’s testes, which could reduce sperm quality and quantity, causing a decline in fertility,” she said. “However, in my experience, I have not found a direct correlation between wearing briefs and a patient’s fertility.”

Knopman added that she hasn’t seen changes in patients who have switched underwear material or style.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Alex Robles of Columbia University Fertility Center in New York echoed that there is “no strong evidence that specific fabrics alone have a meaningful impact on male fertility.” 

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“With that said, higher scrotal temperatures from any source (heat exposure, tight clothing, prolonged sitting or cycling) have been linked to reduced semen quality in some studies,” he said.

“Switching underwear alone rarely causes meaningful changes in fertility. However, some men may see small improvements in sperm quality if they move away from very tight styles that increase heat production and retention.”

Reducing risk

If a male patient has an abnormal semen analysis, Knopman said she always suggests making some lifestyle modifications to improve sperm health, including sleep, diet and exercise (in addition to seeing a urologist).

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“Throwing a change of underwear into the mix couldn’t hurt, but it’s nearly impossible to determine if a semen analysis is irregular because of a man’s underwear choices,” she said. “Therefore, while a change in underwear could help improve fertility, it is rarely the sole cause of infertility.”

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Knopman emphasized that fertility is “not just a female problem,” and that modifications in lifestyle choices should apply to both men and women.

“If a male patient tells me he is riding a bike for two hours a day or spending an hour in a hot bath, I am going to tell him to cut that out,” she said. “While it may not be the reason for his sperm troubles, modifying his lifestyle can’t hurt.”

“Just like I tell my female patients, you can’t blame yourself for your infertility,” she went on. “Most habits in life are totally fine as long as they are in moderation.”

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Robles advised men to choose comfortable, non-restrictive underwear, avoid excessive heat exposure, increase food variety, and reduce exposure to toxins, including smoking and excessive alcohol. 

“The biggest drivers of male fertility decline are age, obesity, smoking, heat exposure, environmental toxins and underlying medical conditions,” he said. “If you are struggling with a fertility issue, I recommend seeing a fertility specialist.”