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?

Keeping your heart healthy is complicated. Many factors contribute to your risk of heart disease, including genetics, diet, physical activity and stress. Here are some tips to help you lower your blood choleste... continue reading  about  What's a bigger dietary cause of high cholesterol -- animal protein like eggs and meat, or high-sugar foods and simple carbs? Seems like I'm hearing a lot more about the harm of sugar these days.

You are correct. There is concern that at least two of the statin drugs, Crestor and simvastation (Zocor), are associated with an increased risk of the development of Type 2 diabetes. A recent meta-analysis (po... continue reading  about  I read that taking rosuvastatin (Crestor) may increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Is this true for other statins? I'm a 55-year-old woman who is taking a low dose of Lipitor. My last fasting blood sugar showed that I'm at a pre-diabetes stage.

It sounds like your husband has been through a lot in the last year. There are several layers to your question and to your concerns.Generally, patients need to avoid salt if they have congestive heart failure o... continue reading  about  My husband had triple bypass surgery last August and in December, a defibrillator was implanted. He's having problems gaining weight. They said that he can eat anything as long as he limits salt. Can he eat high-fat meals?

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?

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, investigators were suprised to find an association between the presence of kidney stones and coronary heart disease, heart attack or hear... continue reading  about  I'm a woman who gets frequent kidney stones. I was concerned to hear that this raises the risk of heart disease. Why would this be? Is it also true for men? Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk?

Great question. Here are a few additional thoughts about your particular situation: You mentioned a trip to Lake Tahoe, so keep in mind that altitude by itself, even without the cold weather, is a special consi... continue reading  about  My husband has heart disease. I heard that someone with this condition needs to be careful in the cold weather. We'll be vacationing in Lake Tahoe soon, so I'd like to know how cold weather affects the heart. Should we cancel the trip?

Your question is at the heart of an important and common issue that cardiologists deal with regularly. When is chest pain a serious problem related to the heart? When is chest pain from something other than the... continue reading  about  I'm having chest pains, but all my tests related to the heart have come up clear. What could be the causing this pain?

Your question is a very good one and is of global concern and research. Markedly increased mortality was first recognized during brief extremes in air pollution as long ago as 1930 in the Meuse Valley in Belgiu... continue reading  about  Living in smoggy air in Northern California has certainly made my asthma worse. Could it also be doing any damage to my heart?