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.
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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
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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
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Thyroid disease and heart disease have a high correlation. Why don't heart patients routinely get an endocrine work up?
When we have problems with our thyroid function - whether hypothyroidism (low) or hyperthyroidism (high)– it can affect our heart function, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. The thyroid is considere... continue reading about Thyroid disease and heart disease have a high correlation. Why don't heart patients routinely get an endocrine work up?
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?
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
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
I was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia a few years ago. I can usually keep it under control, except when I over exercise or if I've been stressed. Then my heart rate goes really up. Is there anything I can do to keep this from happening?
Control of ventricular tachycardia depends a lot on the type of tachycardia that you have. Based on the fact you have had this for several years and have been controlling it without medications, you most likely... continue reading about I was diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia a few years ago. I can usually keep it under control, except when I over exercise or if I've been stressed. Then my heart rate goes really up. Is there anything I can do to keep this from happening?
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?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
I've been taking statins to lower my cholesterol for years. Most leave me extremely fatigued and even foggy in my thinking. Is this a known side effect of statins? Are some statins less likely to cause these side effects? What about Crestor?
Statin drugs (including Crestor) have been credited with the declining incidence of cardiovascular disease. However, they do have recognized side effects, particularly when taken over a long period of time, as ... continue reading about I've been taking statins to lower my cholesterol for years. Most leave me extremely fatigued and even foggy in my thinking. Is this a known side effect of statins? Are some statins less likely to cause these side effects? What about Crestor?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Does salt raise blood pressure?
In excess, yes. The numbers:1 gram (1,000 mg) sodium = 2.5 gram of salt = 1 teaspoon of table saltHarmful = more than 5-6 grams, and probably less than 1.5 grams a dayAmerican Heart Association recommendation =... continue reading about Does salt raise blood pressure?
Patricia Hockett, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
What is a good over-the-counter chest cold congestion medicine for someone with high blood pressure?
While cold medications do not necessarily make a cold go away any more quickly, they can certainly ease some of the discomfort until it clears. There are numerous over-the-counter cold remedies that contain mul... continue reading about What is a good over-the-counter chest cold congestion medicine for someone with high blood pressure?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
What is sudden cardiac death and who is at most risk? Are there any signs or symptoms?
The most common cause of sudden cardiac death is ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia is a very rapid and unstable rhythm that originates from the lower chambers of the heart, or the ventric... continue reading about What is sudden cardiac death and who is at most risk? Are there any signs or symptoms?