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
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
    • 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

    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

    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?

    Richard H. Hongo

    Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    I've been on medication for atrial fibrillation for a number of years. Would it ever be okay to discontinue the medication to see if my arrhythmia is no longer there?

    Generally, it is not a good idea to suddenly stop a medication that has been taken for years to manage atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is typically a progressive and chronic condition that, without an intervention... continue reading  about  I've been on medication for atrial fibrillation for a number of years. Would it ever be okay to discontinue the medication to see if my arrhythmia is no longer there?

    Junaid H. Khan

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

    Eden Medical Center

    I've been through some bad loses this year (relationship, foreclosure) and have had chest pain and shortness of breath. My doctor said I had stress cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome). What are the other symptoms, is it dangerous, will I get it again?

    I am sorry for your losses.Cardiomyopathy can be a serious condition. In addition to chest pain and shortness of breath, patients can have dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, edema, and in some cases hepatic or kidne... continue reading  about  I've been through some bad loses this year (relationship, foreclosure) and have had chest pain and shortness of breath. My doctor said I had stress cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome). What are the other symptoms, is it dangerous, will I get it again?

    Richard H. Hongo

    Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    I have heart palpitations and have been tested with the 24-hour monitors. But of course my palpitations never seem to happen when I have the Holter monitor on. So how can my problem be diagnosed?

    It is not uncommon to miss heart palpitations during a 24-hour ECG monitor. Palpitations can come and go, and catching them can be elusive at times. There are monitors that can be worn for seven days or longer ... continue reading  about  I have heart palpitations and have been tested with the 24-hour monitors. But of course my palpitations never seem to happen when I have the Holter monitor on. So how can my problem be diagnosed?

    Junaid H. Khan

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

    Eden Medical Center

    I'm a scuba diver who just had a pacemaker implanted. Is it safe to continue to dive? I have normal heart muscle function.

    Pacemakers are considered a contraindication for commercial and military diving. Recreational diving has limited medical literature. Each diver should have a detailed conversation with their personal physician ... continue reading  about  I'm a scuba diver who just had a pacemaker implanted. Is it safe to continue to dive? I have normal heart muscle function.

    Nobl Barazangi

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

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    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?

    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!

    Nobl Barazangi

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

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    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?

    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?

    More Resources

    View Sutter's full medical library

    Healthwise Medical Library

    Look up helpful health information.

    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.

    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
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • 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 © 2022 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
    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.