How to Prevent Heart Disease
Get trusted guidance on what you can do to take care of your heart.
Early Heart Attack Signs
Early heart attack signs can be subtle — especially in women.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Heart Disease Risk
Keep your heart healthy, no matter your age or family history.
Cooking for Heart Health
Try these tasty tips to make heart-healthier meals at home.
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
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Are heart palpitations a serious symptoms for someone 62 years old and in good physical shape? My PCP did an ECG and a Holter monitor exam, and suggested I see a cardiologist. Do I need to?
In general, heart palpitations are not a serious problem as long as the heart is healthy. Being in good physical shape and staying active are good signs that the heart is indeed healthy. There are times, howeve... continue reading about Are heart palpitations a serious symptoms for someone 62 years old and in good physical shape? My PCP did an ECG and a Holter monitor exam, and suggested I see a cardiologist. Do I need to?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
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?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
We hear about high cholesterol, but can someone have cholesterol numbers that are too low?
That's a good question, as we usually are focused on cholesterol levels that are too high. Our cells and body depend upon cholesterol for healthy functioning. There are genetic, metabolic and dietary factors th... continue reading about We hear about high cholesterol, but can someone have cholesterol numbers that are too low?
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?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
I have been having palpitations and skipped heartbeats for several months. My EKGs and blood work are normal. Is this all stress and anxiety?
Palpitations are frequently caused by anxiety. On the other hand, anxiety can be caused by palpitations. Sometimes it is difficult to determine what is causing what.Typically, if you have no history of heart di... continue reading about I have been having palpitations and skipped heartbeats for several months. My EKGs and blood work are normal. Is this all stress and anxiety?
Powell O. Jose, M.D., FACC
Sutter Medical Foundation
My 86-year-old mom just passed away from aortic valve stenosis. Should I contact my doctor and have my heart checked out? I've heard that most heart exams are geared for men more so than women. What should I do?
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. Aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of one of your heart's valves that prevents it from opening fully. This can obstruct blood flow in your heart from going onward to t... continue reading about My 86-year-old mom just passed away from aortic valve stenosis. Should I contact my doctor and have my heart checked out? I've heard that most heart exams are geared for men more so than women. What should I do?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I'm a healthy male (52) who had a normal stress echocardiogram. However it showed mild mitral regurgitation and trace tricuspid regurgitation. I do have chronic gingivitis and my mom died following a mitral valve replacement. Should I see a cardiologist?
I'm glad your stress echo was normal. It is a good, non-invasive test that lets you know you do not have any significant coronary blockage. It doesn't mean that you no cholesterol build-up in your vessels, so y... continue reading about I'm a healthy male (52) who had a normal stress echocardiogram. However it showed mild mitral regurgitation and trace tricuspid regurgitation. I do have chronic gingivitis and my mom died following a mitral valve replacement. Should I see a cardiologist?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Two years ago I was diagnosed with a 4mm brain aneurism. My doctor told me that surgery is not performed until the aneurism is at least 7mm. I have an MRI every year and the size has not changed. Should I be concerned and doing something more?
In general, the risk of bleeding from a 4mm aneurysm is less than a larger (7mm) aneurysm; however the risk may vary depending on the location, morphology, and other characteristics of the aneurysm. Therefore, ... continue reading about Two years ago I was diagnosed with a 4mm brain aneurism. My doctor told me that surgery is not performed until the aneurism is at least 7mm. I have an MRI every year and the size has not changed. Should I be concerned and doing something more?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
I've had an eating disorder for 10 years. One of the main problems that seem to continue is heart palpitations, which I've had daily for three months. Tests (Holter, ECHO, EKG) show that I have palpitations, but no other problems. I also have chest pains
Palpitations are a very common problem and generally speaking, they are usually more of an annoyance than a danger. The time it does raise concern is when there is some underlying heart disease. The normal EKGs... continue reading about I've had an eating disorder for 10 years. One of the main problems that seem to continue is heart palpitations, which I've had daily for three months. Tests (Holter, ECHO, EKG) show that I have palpitations, but no other problems. I also have chest pains
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