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Heart Health

You can lower your risk of heart disease by making some easy lifestyle changes. Plus, learn what numbers you need to watch.

Tips to Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease

No matter your age, gender or family history, these five simple things can help lower your risk for heart disease.

Cooking for Heart Health

Try these tasty tips to make heart-healthier meals at home.

Carb-Free Isn't Healthy

Find out how carbohydrates can help your heart health.

Do You Know the Signs of Heart Attack?

Learn which subtle symptoms may signal a heart attack and should not be ignored.

    Featured Articles

    Doctor checking blood pressure

    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.

    Tomatoes

    How to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally

    By changing a few daily habits, you may be able to control your blood pressure without medication.

    View All Heart Health Articles

    Heart Health Resources

    English

    Understanding Heart Failure (PDF)

    How to Monitor Weight, Blood Pressure and Heart Rate (PDF)

    Heart Failure and Exercise (PDF)

    Heart Failure Medication (PDF)

    Healthy Habits to Improve Sleep (PDF)

    Lower your Sodium (PDF)

    How to Choose Low Sodium Foods (PDF)

    Stress Management (PDF)

    Monitoring Heart Failure at Home (Tool)

    Managing Swelling and Fluid Retention (Tool)

    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)

    Manejo del estres (PDF)

    Controlar la insuficiencia cardiaca en casa (tool)

    Manejar la hinchazon y la sobrecarga de liquidos (tool)

    See how our services can help you prevent heart disease.

    Ask an Expert

    Richard H. Hongo

    Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    I've had an eating disorder for 10 years. One of the main problems that seem to continue is heart palpitations, which I've had daily for three months. Tests (Holter, ECHO, EKG) show that I have palpitations, but no other problems. I also have chest pains

    Palpitations are a very common problem and generally speaking, they are usually more of an annoyance than a danger. The time it does raise concern is when there is some underlying heart disease. The normal EKGs... continue reading  about  I've had an eating disorder for 10 years. One of the main problems that seem to continue is heart palpitations, which I've had daily for three months. Tests (Holter, ECHO, EKG) show that I have palpitations, but no other problems. I also have chest pains

    Nobl Barazangi

    Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    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?

    Junaid H. Khan

    Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS

    Eden Medical Center

    Can you participate in sex if you have an enlarged heart?

    Great question, and one we get asked often. We also get asked about the use of Viagra. Sexual activity is generally categorized under "vigorous physical activity." Patients with known heart conditions need to c... continue reading  about  Can you participate in sex if you have an enlarged heart?

    Richard H. Hongo

    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?

    Toni J. Brayer

    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?

    Junaid H. Khan

    Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS

    Eden Medical Center

    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?

    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?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I recently read that hearing loss is more common in people with heart disease or those who've had a heart attack. Why would this be?

    Many articles have been written about the connection between decreased blood flow from cardiovascular disease and hearing loss. The inner ear is very small, and changes in blood flow in the body can cause the r... continue reading  about  I recently read that hearing loss is more common in people with heart disease or those who've had a heart attack. Why would this be?

    Nobl Barazangi

    Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    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?

    Gary F. Milechman

    Gary F. Milechman, M.D.

    California Pacific Medical Center

    I read recently that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to increased heart disease. Should I be tested for this deficiency, and if I'm low, would a supplement take care of this increased risk?

    Your question is an excellent one, and a hot topic in the world of cardiology and preventive medicine.Vitamin D is not a true vitamin since we can manufacture it in our bodies, through the action of UVB rays th... continue reading  about  I read recently that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to increased heart disease. Should I be tested for this deficiency, and if I'm low, would a supplement take care of this increased risk?

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