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
![Doctor checking blood pressure](/images/health-topics/heart-disease/doctor-checking-blood-pressure-of-african-american-patient-280x150.jpg)
Four Health Numbers You Should Know
The four numbers that reveal crucial information about your health, and what you can do to improve them.
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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.
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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
I had a pacemaker inserted a year ago. It keeps dropping down and looks like the wires are about to pop out. I've asked my cardiologist about it several times and he said it's fine and should not drop anymore. I exercise 5x/week. Is that too much?
The position of the pacemaker can shift over time. After about a year, however, a strong capsule has formed around the device and it should not move any further. Because the device and the leads are very secure... continue reading about I had a pacemaker inserted a year ago. It keeps dropping down and looks like the wires are about to pop out. I've asked my cardiologist about it several times and he said it's fine and should not drop anymore. I exercise 5x/week. Is that too much?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
I take medication for high blood pressure. My current numbers are 138/87 to 140/94. Is that okay or should my medication be changed? It's been over a year since I started taking the medication.
The American Heart Association lists 120/80 and lower as normal blood pressure. The numbers you list would qualify as hypertension requiring treatment. It looks like your physician has appropiately started you ... continue reading about I take medication for high blood pressure. My current numbers are 138/87 to 140/94. Is that okay or should my medication be changed? It's been over a year since I started taking the medication.
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
What are the symptoms of a narrowing carotid artery in the neck?
Sometimes a carotid artery can narrow and be 'asymptomatic', meaning that the patient has no symptoms. Symptoms do vary from patient to patient. When symptoms do appear, they are usually the same symptoms as a ... continue reading about What are the symptoms of a narrowing carotid artery in the neck?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
How much does alcohol contribute to high cholesterol, and can I drink while taking Lipitor?
Moderation is the key, as in many areas of health. In general, moderate alcohol consumption, medically defined as up to two drinks per day for men and one per day for women (different metabolism), has been show... continue reading about How much does alcohol contribute to high cholesterol, and can I drink while taking Lipitor?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
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?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
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?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
I’m a woman (52) who’s had heart palpitations for 20 years. Now they happen more often. I get 10-50 per day where I feel my heart skip around. I’ve been to cardiologists, and they find nothing wrong and say it’s just PVCs and PACs. Should I worry?
In general, premature atrial complexes (PACs) and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are not harmful. This holds especially true if there is nothing else wrong with the heart. When someone presents with bot... continue reading about I’m a woman (52) who’s had heart palpitations for 20 years. Now they happen more often. I get 10-50 per day where I feel my heart skip around. I’ve been to cardiologists, and they find nothing wrong and say it’s just PVCs and PACs. Should I worry?
Powell O. Jose, M.D., FACC
Sutter Medical Foundation
What is statin therapy and what are the side effects of this drug?
Statins are a class of medications used to lower cholesterol. They work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is important for cholesterol production in the liver. Statins are very commonly us... continue reading about What is statin therapy and what are the side effects of this drug?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
I had a chest x-ray because of allergy symptoms. The doctor who read the x-ray said because of a cardiac fat pad in my right lobe, it was hard to tell if I had pneumonia. What is a fat pad, is this something that should concern me, and can I exercise?
A fat pad can be a normal occurrence on the sac (pericardium) that surrounds the heart. In certain cases in can obstruct the view of the right middle lobe. If there is enough clinical suspicion (by symptoms or ... continue reading about I had a chest x-ray because of allergy symptoms. The doctor who read the x-ray said because of a cardiac fat pad in my right lobe, it was hard to tell if I had pneumonia. What is a fat pad, is this something that should concern me, and can I exercise?
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