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
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
My primary care doctor detected an abnormal heart rhythm and wants me to see a cardiologist for an EP study. What is an EP study and what is the cardiologist looking for?
The EP study is an "electrophysiology study." This is a test that is performed by a cardiac electrophysiologist (a specialized cardiologist that is trained to manage heart rhythm problems). The EP study is a co... continue reading about My primary care doctor detected an abnormal heart rhythm and wants me to see a cardiologist for an EP study. What is an EP study and what is the cardiologist looking for?
Gabriel J. Belsky, D.O.
Sutter Medical Group
I have borderline high blood pressure. How much, and how quickly, does diet affect blood pressure? Would having two slices of bacon raise my blood pressure that day?
Hypertension or high blood pressure is defined as follows: Normal blood pressure: Pre-high blood pressure: 120-139mmHg/80-89mmHgStage 1 high blood pressure: 140-159mmHg/90-99mmHgStage 2 high blood pressure: >... continue reading about I have borderline high blood pressure. How much, and how quickly, does diet affect blood pressure? Would having two slices of bacon raise my blood pressure that day?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I have heart palpitations and have been tested with the 24-hour monitors. But of course my palpitations never seem to happen when I have the Holter monitor on. So how can my problem be diagnosed?
It is not uncommon to miss heart palpitations during a 24-hour ECG monitor. Palpitations can come and go, and catching them can be elusive at times. There are monitors that can be worn for seven days or longer ... continue reading about I have heart palpitations and have been tested with the 24-hour monitors. But of course my palpitations never seem to happen when I have the Holter monitor on. So how can my problem be diagnosed?
Larry K. Fan, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
If I get liposuction to get rid of my belly fat, will I reduce the health risks associated with being "apple" shaped?
Liposuction is a great way to contour and reshape the body (including the belly) by removing unwanted fat. Unfortunately, liposuction is not a treatment for weight loss, nor does it appear to influence the risk... continue reading about If I get liposuction to get rid of my belly fat, will I reduce the health risks associated with being "apple" shaped?
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?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
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?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What can cause dizziness and light-headedness? I have low blood pressure and sometimes a heart rate in the high 30s. Is this normal?
This is a good question. In people who are professional athletes, it is quite normal to have heart rate in the upper 30s. However, in this case, the low heart rate is a result of a well-trained, efficient heart... continue reading about What can cause dizziness and light-headedness? I have low blood pressure and sometimes a heart rate in the high 30s. Is this normal?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
Awhile ago my husband complained of a pounding heart. He said it felt like it was thumping against his chest. Tests showed that he was fine and it was probably caused by stress. How can we tell the difference between severe anxiety and a heart attack?
It is often very difficult to differentiate the symptoms of a heart attack from other causes. Even in the Emergency Department, with access to X-rays, EKG's, and fancy lab work, we sometimes cannot be 100 perce... continue reading about Awhile ago my husband complained of a pounding heart. He said it felt like it was thumping against his chest. Tests showed that he was fine and it was probably caused by stress. How can we tell the difference between severe anxiety and a heart attack?
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?
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