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.
![](/images/health-topics/fitness/tired-man-working-out-at-gym-280x150.jpg)
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.
![Tomatoes](/images/health-topics/nutrition/tomatoes-280x150.jpg)
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
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?
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?
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?
Astrin Damayanti, R.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
I'm a woman (51) who has diabetes. I read recently that women with diabetes have a much greater risk of developing heart disease than those who don't have it. Why is this, and what can I do to protect myself from heart problems?
Statistics have shown that the leading causes of death among people with diabetes are heart disease and stroke. That is because people with diabetes often times have hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and they... continue reading about I'm a woman (51) who has diabetes. I read recently that women with diabetes have a much greater risk of developing heart disease than those who don't have it. Why is this, and what can I do to protect myself from heart problems?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I have really poor health: obesity, severe vitamin D deficiency, bone and joint problems, shortness of breath upon exertion. I do have perfect blood pressure and good cholesterol. Am I safe from a heart attack?
Your question has many layers to it. The short answer is "you are not necessarily safe from a heart attack". Let me explain:A person's likelihood of a heart attack is calculated in large, population-based studi... continue reading about I have really poor health: obesity, severe vitamin D deficiency, bone and joint problems, shortness of breath upon exertion. I do have perfect blood pressure and good cholesterol. Am I safe from a heart attack?
Catherine A. Madison, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
How do I know if I have had a stroke?
A stroke results from lack of blood flow to the brain. This means that a region of cells is not able to work properly and can generate a variety of symptoms, depending on the brain area that has been affected. ... continue reading about How do I know if I have had a stroke?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Thyroid disease and heart disease have a high correlation. Why don't heart patients routinely get an endocrine work up?
When we have problems with our thyroid function - whether hypothyroidism (low) or hyperthyroidism (high)– it can affect our heart function, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. The thyroid is considere... continue reading about Thyroid disease and heart disease have a high correlation. Why don't heart patients routinely get an endocrine work up?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm a healthy female (34) with mitral valve prolapse and mild/trace regurgitation. What are the recommendations on checking this condition? I'm told it's a benign condition but my cardiologist checks on it biannually.
My cardiologist mentor, Dr. Lon Keith, use to correlate mitral valve prolapse with being bald. He'd remark that some men are bald, some are not - some people have mitral valve prolapse, some don't. When it beco... continue reading about I'm a healthy female (34) with mitral valve prolapse and mild/trace regurgitation. What are the recommendations on checking this condition? I'm told it's a benign condition but my cardiologist checks on it biannually.
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
My son, 20, is leaving for boot camp soon. He's developed a rapid heartbeat during his work outs and sudden spikes in blood pressure. He had an EKG and all was normal. They thought it was stress. What are the next steps?
There are a number of heart rhythm abnormalities that can cause a sudden rapid heartbeat during exercise. A normal evaluation in the emergency room typically will not reveal the rhythm problem because the evalu... continue reading about My son, 20, is leaving for boot camp soon. He's developed a rapid heartbeat during his work outs and sudden spikes in blood pressure. He had an EKG and all was normal. They thought it was stress. What are the next steps?
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