Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location

We've expanded your view

You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Diseases & Conditions
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Health and Wellness
  • Heart
Content

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

    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 see screening offers for heart health and stroke risk. They offer stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm packages, as well as tests for abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. Are these reliable?

    These packages can be reliable and helpful, but it depends. This type of screening usually involves ultrasound imaging of the heart and blood vessels, and the reliability of the testing depends on the skill of ... continue reading  about  I see screening offers for heart health and stroke risk. They offer stroke, vascular disease and heart rhythm packages, as well as tests for abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease. Are these reliable?

    Richard H. Hongo

    Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?

    A pacemaker is an implanted device that is designed to keep your heart rate from getting too slow. It is given to patients who have too slow a heart rate that makes them feel weak, short of breath, or dizzy. Th... continue reading  about  What is the difference between a pacemaker and a defibrillator? How reliable are they?

    Gary F. Milechman

    Gary F. Milechman, M.D.

    California Pacific Medical Center

    I'm a healthy 50-year-old woman. My resting pulse is about 50-60 beats per minute. When I run on the treadmill at a six mph pace for two miles, my pulse will get to 172. I get 35-40 minutes of cardio five times a week. Is 172 too high?

    The simple answer to your question is no, it is not too high. You sound like a very fit woman. A six mph (or a 10-minute) mile is a nice pace. I assume you are comfortable at this pace since you can keep it up ... continue reading  about  I'm a healthy 50-year-old woman. My resting pulse is about 50-60 beats per minute. When I run on the treadmill at a six mph pace for two miles, my pulse will get to 172. I get 35-40 minutes of cardio five times a week. Is 172 too high?

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    I have a gluten and a dairy intolerance as well as high cholesterol. Do you have a diet suggestion that may address these issues and still allow me to enjoy meal times? I hate tofu!

    You definitely have a challenging dietary situation, but you do have some good options beside tofu.There are plenty of legumes and nuts that you can incorporate into your diet. You could make a bean vegetarian ... continue reading  about  I have a gluten and a dairy intolerance as well as high cholesterol. Do you have a diet suggestion that may address these issues and still allow me to enjoy meal times? I hate tofu!

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I'm looking for a natural way to lower my cholesterol. Besides watching what I eat and exercising, is there anything else, like dietary supplements, that would work?

    A Chinese food supplement called Red Rice Yeast has been shown by reasonable scientific studies to lower cholesterol as well as bad cardiovascular events by 15-30 percent. Suggested dose is one to four of the 6... continue reading  about  I'm looking for a natural way to lower my cholesterol. Besides watching what I eat and exercising, is there anything else, like dietary supplements, that would work?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    My husband had triple bypass open heart surgery with a terrific outcome. Since his heart attack, I'm not sleeping well. My doctor prescribed sleeping pills which I don't take in case he needs me. What can I do to feel more confident that he's doing ok?

    To The Caring Wife,Your concern is not uncommon among the over 1000 bypass surgeries I've followed through in the past 30 some years. By the time your husband leaves the hospital, he should be able to get in an... continue reading  about  My husband had triple bypass open heart surgery with a terrific outcome. Since his heart attack, I'm not sleeping well. My doctor prescribed sleeping pills which I don't take in case he needs me. What can I do to feel more confident that he's doing ok?

    Gary F. Milechman

    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?

    Gary F. Milechman

    Gary F. Milechman, M.D.

    California Pacific Medical Center

    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 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?

    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?

    More Resources

    View Sutter's Drug Guide

    Drug Guide

    Look up prescription and over-the-counter drug information.

    View Sutter's full medical library

    Medical Library

    Look up helpful health information.

    View Sutter's full library of disease and conditions

    Diseases and Conditions

    See our full library of diseases and conditions.

    View information for Sutter Health Patients

    Patient Information

    Practical info for Sutter patients.

    Tools and Quizzes

    Tools and Quizzes

    Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.

    The Sutter Health Network of Care
    Expertise to fit your needs
    Primary Care

    Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

    Specialty Care

    Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

    Emergency Care

    For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

    Urgent Care

    After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

    Walk-In Care

    Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

    About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Flu Resources
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2021 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences