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Heart Problems

Learn about heart problems

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Everyone can benefit from learning about heart health. If you or a loved one is living with a heart condition, or if you want to learn how to prevent heart problems in the future, our topics can give you the information you need. From heart defects in babies to heart failure in older people, we cover a wide range of heart problems.

Learn more about heart problems in topics such as:

Health Topics

Reference Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

Reference Acute Coronary Syndrome

Reference Alan's Story: Coping With Change After a Heart Attack

Reference Alcohol and Heart Disease

Reference Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy

Reference American Heart Association Healthy Diet Guidelines

Reference Anesthesia

Reference Angina

Reference Angioplasty for Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Angioplasty for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Aortic Aneurysm

Reference Aortic Dissection

Reference Aortic Valve Regurgitation

Reference Aortic Valve Regurgitation: Deciding About Surgery

Reference Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery

Reference Aortic Valve Stenosis

Reference Aortic Valve Stenosis Complications

Reference Aortic Valve Stenosis: Treatment When You Have Other Heart Problems

Reference Arrhythmias and Sexual Activity

Reference Arrhythmias: Foods That Affect Heart Rate

Reference Aspirin

Reference Atherectomy for Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Atherosclerosis

Reference Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Atrial Fibrillation and Daily Life

Reference Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

Reference Balloon Valvotomy for Mitral Valve Stenosis

Reference Balloon Valvuloplasty for Aortic Valve Stenosis

Reference Birth Control Pills, Hormone Therapy, and Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Blood Clots in the Leg Veins

Reference Blood Pressure Screening

Reference Bradycardia (Slow Heart Rate)

Reference Cardiac Arrest

Reference Cardiac Cachexia

Reference Cardiac Device Monitoring

Reference Cardiac Rehabilitation

Reference Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase I: In the Hospital

Reference Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase II: Hospital to Home

Reference Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase III: Outpatient Program

Reference Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV: Long-Term Lifestyle Change

Reference Cardiac Rehabilitation Team

Reference Cardiac Rehabilitation: Medicine and Exercise

Reference Cardiac Rehabilitation: Monitoring Your Body's Response to Exercise

Reference Cardiac Rehabilitation: Weight and Resistance Training

Reference Cardiomyopathy

Reference Cardiovascular Syphilis

Reference Care at the End of Life

Reference Catheter Ablation for a Fast Heart Rate

Reference Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Central Venous Catheters

Reference Change in Heartbeat

Reference Chest Problems

Reference Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Eating Fish and Fish Oil

Reference Cholesterol in Children and Teens

Reference Classification of Heart Failure

Reference Congenital Heart Defect Types

Reference Congenital Heart Defects

Reference Congenital Heart Defects in Adults

Reference Congenital Heart Defects That Cause Aortic Valve Stenosis

Reference Congenital Heart Defects: Caring for Your Child

Reference Congenital Heart Defects: Complications

Reference Congenital Heart Defects: Exercise and Sports

Reference Congenital Heart Defects: Pregnancy

Reference Congenital Heart Defects: Prostaglandins and Prostaglandin Inhibitors

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: How It Is Done

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: How to Prepare

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Recovering in the Hospital

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Self-Care for Recovery

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: The Recovery Process

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: What to Expect After You Go Home

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Day One of Recovery

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Minimally Invasive Methods

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: When You Arrive at the Hospital

Reference Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Your Medical Team

Reference Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Coronary Artery Disease Risk Screening

Reference Coronary Artery Disease: Eating Fish to Lower Your Risk

Reference Coronary Artery Disease: Helping a Loved One

Reference Coronary Artery Disease: Roles of Different Doctors

Reference DASH Diet Sample Menu

Reference Depression and Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Diastolic Heart Failure

Reference Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Reference Diuretics and Potassium Supplements

Reference Driving a Car After a Stroke

Reference Drug-Eluting Stents

Reference Elbow Pain: Other Causes of Pain

Reference Electrical Cardioversion (Defibrillation) for a Fast Heart Rate

Reference Electrical Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Electrical System of the Heart

Reference Endocarditis

Reference Endovascular Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Reference Familial Lipid Disorders

Reference Family History of Heart Disease

Reference Fast Heart Rate

Reference General Anesthesia

Reference Genetic Test for Clopidogrel

Reference Health Problems Associated With Adult Obesity

Reference Health Tracking Forms and Checklists

Reference Heart Arrhythmias and Exercise

Reference Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Heart Attack: How to Prevent Another One

Reference Heart Block

Reference Heart Disease: Prevention Myths

Reference Heart Failure

Reference Heart Failure and Sexual Activity

Reference Heart Failure and Sleep Problems

Reference Heart Failure Complications

Reference Heart Failure Stages

Reference Heart Failure Symptoms

Reference Heart Failure Types

Reference Heart Failure: Avoiding Colds and Flu

Reference Heart Failure: Compensation by the Heart and Body

Reference Heart Failure: Disease Management Programs

Reference Heart Failure: Eating a Healthy Diet

Reference Heart Failure: Less Common Symptoms

Reference Heart Failure: Tips for Caregivers

Reference Heart Failure: Tips for Easier Breathing

Reference Heart Murmur

Reference Heart Rhythm Problems and Driving

Reference Heart Rhythm Problems: Diary of Symptoms

Reference Heart Rhythm Problems: How to Travel Safely

Reference Heart Rhythm Problems: Symptoms

Reference Heart Tests: When Do You Need Them?

Reference Heart Transplant

Reference Heart Valve Disease

Reference Heart Valve Disease and Pregnancy

Reference Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

Reference Heart Valve Replacement Surgery: Life After Surgery

Reference Heart Valve Replacement Surgery: Minimally Invasive Methods

Reference Heart Valve Replacement: How to Prepare

Reference Heart Valve Surgery: Recovery

Reference Heart-Healthy Eating

Reference Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

Reference Helping a Loved One After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Reference High Blood Pressure

Reference High Blood Pressure in African Americans

Reference High Blood Pressure Treatment Guidelines

Reference High Blood Pressure, Transient Ischemic Attack, and Stroke

Reference High Blood Pressure: Nutrition Tips

Reference High Cholesterol

Reference High Cholesterol Treatment Guidelines Based on Heart Attack Risk

Reference High Cholesterol: Effect of Food on Cholesterol

Reference High Cholesterol: Healthy Food Choices

Reference High Cholesterol: How a Dietitian Can Help

Reference High Triglycerides

Reference High-Output Heart Failure

Reference How to Find Sodium

Reference Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Reference Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Types

Reference Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Risk of Sudden Death

Reference Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)

Reference Interactive Tool: Are You at Risk for a Heart Attack?

Reference Interactive Tool: How Does Smoking Increase Your Risk of Heart Attack?

Reference Interactive Tool: What Is Your Risk for a Stroke if You Have Atrial Fibrillation?

Reference Interactive Tool: What Is Your Target Heart Rate?

Reference Interactive Tools

Reference Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump

Reference Ischemia

Reference Isolated Systolic High Blood Pressure

Reference Joan's Story: Coping With Depression and Anxiety From Heart Failure

Reference Joyce's Story: Feeling Better With a Pacemaker

Reference Kawasaki Disease

Reference Kawasaki Disease: Criteria to Diagnose

Reference Laparoscopic Surgery

Reference Lipid Panel

Reference Living With More Than One Health Problem

Reference Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

Reference Low-Dose Aspirin Therapy

Reference Malignant High Blood Pressure

Reference Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Medicines to Prevent Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Heart Failure

Reference Mediterranean Diet

Reference Mitral Valve Disease: Heart Rhythm Problems

Reference Mitral Valve Prolapse

Reference Mitral Valve Prolapse: Children Who Play Sports

Reference Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Reference Mitral Valve Regurgitation and Exercise

Reference Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Repair or Replace the Valve?

Reference Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Severity

Reference Mitral Valve Repair Surgery (Commissurotomy) for Mitral Valve Stenosis

Reference Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery

Reference Mitral Valve Stenosis

Reference Mitral Valve Stenosis: Repair or Replacement?

Reference Modify Recipes for a Heart-Healthy Diet

Reference Monitoring and Medicines for Heart Failure

Reference Monitoring During Anesthesia

Reference Myxoma Tumors of the Heart

Reference Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Reference Open Repair Surgery for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Reference Organ Transplant

Reference Organ Transplants: Antirejection Medicines

Reference Pacemaker for Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Pacemaker for Bradycardia

Reference Pacemaker for Heart Failure (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy)

Reference Paget's Disease and Heart Failure

Reference Paradoxical Embolism

Reference Passing Out (Syncope) Caused by Arrhythmias

Reference People Who Need Antibiotics to Prevent Endocarditis

Reference Pericarditis

Reference Peripheral Arterial Disease and Exercise

Reference Peripheral Arterial Disease: Pulse and Blood Pressure Measurement

Reference Planning to Be an Organ Donor

Reference Prehypertension

Reference Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)

Reference Pressure Injuries From Scuba Diving

Reference Procedural Sedation

Reference Procedures That May Require Antibiotics to Prevent Endocarditis

Reference Pulmonary Embolism

Reference Quick Tips: Self-Care for Heart Failure

Reference Quick Tips: Taking Charge of Your Angina

Reference Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

Reference Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Reference Resuming Sexual Activity After a Heart Attack

Reference Rheumatic Fever and Heart Problems

Reference Right-Sided Heart Failure

Reference Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Risks and Benefits of Medicines for Heart Failure

Reference Sarcoidosis

Reference Scleroderma

Reference Secondary High Blood Pressure

Reference Sex and Your Heart

Reference Sick Sinus Syndrome

Reference Sleep Apnea Complications

Reference Smoking and Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Smoking and Stroke Risk

Reference Smoking: Heart Attack and Stroke Risks

Reference Sodium and High Blood Pressure

Reference SPECT Image of the Heart

Reference Spinal Cord Injury: Autonomic Dysreflexia

Reference Stages of Lyme Disease

Reference Stroke and TIA: Who Is Affected

Reference Stroke: Bladder and Bowel Problems

Reference Stroke: Changes in Emotions

Reference Stroke: Dealing With Depression

Reference Stroke: Getting Dressed

Reference Stroke: Preventing Injury in Affected Limbs

Reference Stroke: Speech and Language Problems

Reference Stroke: Your Rehabilitation Team

Reference Supraventricular Tachycardia

Reference Systolic Heart Failure

Reference Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC)

Reference Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet for High Cholesterol

Reference Thrombolytic Medicines for Pulmonary Embolism

Reference Tilt Table Test

Reference Tips for Success With the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet

Reference TLC Diet Sample Menu

Reference Triggers of Sudden Heart Failure

Reference Turning Off Your ICD

Reference Types of Bradycardia

Reference Types of Supraventricular Tachycardia

Reference Using Nitroglycerin for Angina

Reference Vagal Maneuvers for a Fast Heart Rate

Reference Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) for Heart Failure

Reference Ventricular Tachycardia

Reference Ventriculogram

Reference Warfarin and Vitamin K

Reference Weight and Coronary Artery Disease

Reference What to Do if Your Cardiac Device Is Recalled

Reference When to Have a Cholesterol Test

Reference Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Reference Women and Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Writing an Advance Directive

Medical Tests

Reference Ambulatory Electrocardiogram

Reference Angiogram

Reference Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Test

Reference Cardiac Blood Pool Scan

Reference Cardiac Catheterization

Reference Cardiac Enzyme Studies

Reference Cardiac Perfusion Scan

Reference Chest X-Ray

Reference Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests

Reference Computed Tomography (CT) Scan of the Body

Reference Computed Tomography Angiogram (CT Angiogram)

Reference Coronary Calcium Scan

Reference C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Reference Echocardiogram

Reference Electrocardiogram

Reference Electrophysiology Study

Reference Exercise Electrocardiogram

Reference Home Blood Pressure Test

Reference Pericardial Drainage

Medications

Reference Adenosine for Fast Heart Rates

Reference Aldosterone Receptor Antagonists: Diuretics for Heart Failure

Reference Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Reference Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) for High Blood Pressure

Reference Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors for Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors for Heart Failure

Reference Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors for High Blood Pressure

Reference Antiarrhythmic Medicines for Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Antiarrhythmic Medicines for Fast Heart Rates

Reference Antiarrhythmics for Congenital Heart Defects

Reference Antibiotics for Lyme Disease

Reference Anticoagulants for Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Anticoagulants for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Anticoagulants for Heart Valve Disease

Reference Anticoagulants for Pulmonary Embolism

Reference Anticoagulants Other Than Warfarin for Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Antiplatelet Medicine for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Aspirin and Antiplatelets for Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Aspirin for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Beta-Blockers for Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Beta-Blockers for Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Beta-Blockers for Fast Heart Rates

Reference Beta-Blockers for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Beta-Blockers for Heart Failure

Reference Beta-Blockers for High Blood Pressure

Reference Beta-Blockers for Mitral Valve Prolapse

Reference Bile Acid Sequestrants for High Cholesterol

Reference Calcium Channel Blockers for Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Calcium Channel Blockers for Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Calcium Channel Blockers for Fast Heart Rates

Reference Calcium Channel Blockers for Heart Failure

Reference Calcium Channel Blockers for High Blood Pressure

Reference Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors for High Cholesterol

Reference Digoxin for Atrial Fibrillation

Reference Digoxin for Congenital Heart Defects

Reference Digoxin for Fast Heart Rates

Reference Digoxin for Heart Failure

Reference Direct Renin Inhibitors for High Blood Pressure

Reference Diuretics for Congenital Heart Defects

Reference Diuretics for Heart Failure

Reference Diuretics for High Blood Pressure

Reference Fibric Acid Derivatives for High Cholesterol

Reference Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Morphine for Heart Attack

Reference Nicotinic Acid for High Cholesterol

Reference Nitrates for Coronary Artery Disease

Reference Nitrates for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Other Medicines for High Blood Pressure

Reference Oxygen Therapy for Heart Failure

Reference Statins and Statin Combinations for High Cholesterol

Reference Thrombolytics for Heart Attack and Unstable Angina

Reference Vasodilators for Congenital Heart Defects

Reference Vasodilators for Heart Failure

Reference Vasodilators for Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Reference Warfarin for Atrial Fibrillation

Make a Wise Decision

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test? Opens New Window

Aortic Valve Stenosis: Should I Have Surgery? Opens New Window

Aspirin: Should I Take Daily Aspirin to Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke? Opens New Window

Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Take an Anticoagulant to Prevent Stroke? Opens New Window

Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Try Electrical Cardioversion? Opens New Window

Atrial Fibrillation: Which Anticoagulant Should I Take To Prevent Stroke? Opens New Window

Heart Disease Risk: Should I Have a Coronary Calcium Scan? Opens New Window

Heart Disease: Should I Have an Angiogram? Opens New Window

Heart Disease: Should I Have Angioplasty for Stable Angina? Opens New Window

Heart Disease: Should I Have Bypass Surgery? Opens New Window

Heart Failure: Should I Get a Pacemaker (Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy)? Opens New Window

Heart Failure: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)? Opens New Window

Heart Problems: Should I Have Catheter Ablation? Opens New Window

Heart Rate Problems: Should I Get a Pacemaker? Opens New Window

Heart Rhythm Problems: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)? Opens New Window

Heart Valve Problems: Should I Choose a Mechanical Valve or Tissue Valve to Replace My Heart Valve? Opens New Window

High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine? Opens New Window

High Cholesterol: Should I Take Statins? Opens New Window

Take Action

Reference Blood Thinners Other Than Warfarin: Taking Them Safely

Reference Healthy Eating: Eating Less Sodium

Reference Heart Disease: Eating a Heart-Healthy Diet

Reference Heart Disease: Exercising for a Healthy Heart

Reference Heart Disease: Walking for a Healthy Heart

Reference Heart Failure: Activity and Exercise

Reference Heart Failure: Avoiding Medicines That Make Symptoms Worse

Reference Heart Failure: Avoiding Triggers for Sudden Heart Failure

Reference Heart Failure: Checking Your Weight

Reference Heart Failure: Taking Medicines Properly

Reference Heart Failure: Watching Your Fluids

Reference Heart Problems: Living With a Pacemaker

Reference Heart Problems: Living With an ICD

Reference High Blood Pressure: Checking Your Blood Pressure at Home

Reference High Blood Pressure: Taking Medicines Properly

Reference High Blood Pressure: Using the DASH Diet

Reference Warfarin: Taking Your Medicine Safely

Credits

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: Reference October 20, 2011
Medical Review:	Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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Heart Problems

Learn about heart problems

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