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
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
What are the effects of hormone replacement therapy on a person who has a history of lacunar stroke?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to increase the risk of ischemic stroke (lacunar stroke is a subtype of ischemic stroke). Although the absolute risk of complications such as stroke is relativel... continue reading about What are the effects of hormone replacement therapy on a person who has a history of lacunar 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?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
My dad had a stroke two months ago. He is still having some trouble with walking and speaking. Can you tell me if a stroke victim can ever return to "normal"?
Every stroke patient is different, and each patient's recovery varies depending on several factors. We do know that intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy can significanly impact and improve a pat... continue reading about My dad had a stroke two months ago. He is still having some trouble with walking and speaking. Can you tell me if a stroke victim can ever return to "normal"?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
My mom had a stroke about seven months ago. Although she is slowly recovering from it, she seems depressed to me. Is this just part of the recovery, or should I talk to her about it so that she can get some sort of treatment?
Depression is a common occurrence after stroke, and can occur in approximately 20-60 percent of stroke patients, depending on which research study you look at. The depressive symptoms may be in addition to the ... continue reading about My mom had a stroke about seven months ago. Although she is slowly recovering from it, she seems depressed to me. Is this just part of the recovery, or should I talk to her about it so that she can get some sort of treatment?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
What is a mini stroke? Are there any warning signs before it happens?
"Mini-stroke" is a term that commonly refers to the medical condition transient ischemic attack (TIA). TIA refers to loss of neurologic function that is transient (less than 24 hours). These occur due to blocka... continue reading about What is a mini stroke? Are there any warning signs before it happens?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
My dad had a stroke about a year ago and is doing better now, but it made me wonder - is there any way to prevent another one from happening (like a better diet, exercise)?
There are several things that a patient can do to prevent another stroke or TIA. First and foremost, the patient should make sure that they are following up with their primary doctor or neurologist, to ensure t... continue reading about My dad had a stroke about a year ago and is doing better now, but it made me wonder - is there any way to prevent another one from happening (like a better diet, exercise)?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
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?
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
Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of having a stroke?
There are several things that a patient can do to prevent a stroke. First and foremost, make sure that you are following up with your primary doctor to ensure that all of your possible stroke risk factors are t... continue reading about Is there anything I can do to lower my risk of having a stroke?
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