Tips to Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease
No matter your age, gender or family history, these five simple things can help lower your risk for heart disease.
Cooking for Heart Health
Try these tasty tips to make heart-healthier meals at home.
Carb-Free Isn't Healthy
Find out how carbohydrates can help your heart health.
Do You Know the Signs of Heart Attack?
Learn which subtle symptoms may signal a heart attack and should not be ignored.
Featured Articles
Four Health Numbers You Should Know
The four numbers that reveal crucial information about your health, and what you can do to improve them.
Early Signs of a Heart Attack
Some symptoms occur months before a heart attack; some are quite mild. Learn about the warning signs to watch.
How to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally
By changing a few daily habits, you may be able to control your blood pressure without medication.
Heart Health Resources
Spanish
Vivir con insuficiencia cardiaca (PDF)
Monitorear su peso, presion arterial y frecuencia cardiaca (PDF)
Actividad y ejercicio diarios (PDF)
Medicamentos para la insuficiencia cardiaca (PDF)
Habitos saludables para dormir mejor (PDF)
Reduzca el consumo de sodio para tener una mejor salud (PDF)
Opciones de alimentos con bajo contenido de sodio (PDF)
Ask an Expert
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I have occasional rapid heartbeats, which my doctor recently diagnosed as PSVD. But I have no other heart conditions. So he did not suggest any type of treatment except to avoid certain things like alcohol. Is there anything else I should be doing?
PSVTs, or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias, are generally quite bothersome, but almost never life-threatening. The only time when PSVTs can pose serious danger is in the rare setting of Wolff-Parkinson-... continue reading about I have occasional rapid heartbeats, which my doctor recently diagnosed as PSVD. But I have no other heart conditions. So he did not suggest any type of treatment except to avoid certain things like alcohol. Is there anything else I should be doing?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
My dad had a stroke two months ago. He is still having some trouble with walking and speaking. Can you tell me if a stroke victim can ever return to "normal"?
Every stroke patient is different, and each patient's recovery varies depending on several factors. We do know that intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy can significanly impact and improve a pat... continue reading about My dad had a stroke two months ago. He is still having some trouble with walking and speaking. Can you tell me if a stroke victim can ever return to "normal"?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
How do I know if my heart is healthy enough for sex?
This is a common question from anyone who has had a heart attack or has been diagnosed with a heart problem. The Scientific Journal, Circulation, reported on thousands of patients with coronary artery disease w... continue reading about How do I know if my heart is healthy enough for sex?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
If you have been diagnosed with a coronary blockage, what treatment options are available?
There are always things that the doctor and patient can do to improve symptoms when one has a coronary blockage, or a narrowed artery to the heart. I can't emphasize enough the importance of both the health car... continue reading about If you have been diagnosed with a coronary blockage, what treatment options are available?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I'm in treatment right now for periodontal disease. My dentist told me recently that gum disease can be associated with heart disease. I had never heard of this before. Is it true?
Your dentist is correct. There does seem to be an association of periodontal disease (infection and inflammation of the gums that can lead to the loss of your teeth) with heart disease and cardiac events.Both a... continue reading about I'm in treatment right now for periodontal disease. My dentist told me recently that gum disease can be associated with heart disease. I had never heard of this before. Is it true?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
Migraine and stroke symptoms seem to overlap. How do I know I'm just having a migraine and not a stroke?
Some migraines can be associated with neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, tingling, vision and speech changes, and some strokes can be associated with headaches. Therefore, sometimes it is difficu... continue reading about Migraine and stroke symptoms seem to overlap. How do I know I'm just having a migraine and not a stroke?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
Does a lack of minerals cause a quivering heart?
When the level of certain electrolytes in the blood gets low, this can cause more extra heart beats (premature atrial complexes, premature ventricular complexes) and also promote more abnormal heart rhythm, esp... continue reading about Does a lack of minerals cause a quivering heart?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?
A pacemaker is an implanted device that is designed to keep your heart rate from getting too slow. It is given to patients who have too slow a heart rate that makes them feel weak, short of breath, or dizzy. Th... continue reading about What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
My dad had a stroke about a year ago and is doing better now, but it made me wonder - is there any way to prevent another one from happening (like a better diet, exercise)?
There are several things that a patient can do to prevent another stroke or TIA. First and foremost, the patient should make sure that they are following up with their primary doctor or neurologist, to ensure t... continue reading about My dad had a stroke about a year ago and is doing better now, but it made me wonder - is there any way to prevent another one from happening (like a better diet, exercise)?