How to Prevent Heart Disease
Get trusted guidance on what you can do to take care of your heart.
Early Heart Attack Signs
Early heart attack signs can be subtle — especially in women.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Heart Disease Risk
Keep your heart healthy, no matter your age or family history.
Cooking for Heart Health
Try these tasty tips to make heart-healthier meals at home.
Featured Articles
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
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)
Ask an Expert
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
I take medication for high blood pressure. My current numbers are 138/87 to 140/94. Is that okay or should my medication be changed? It's been over a year since I started taking the medication.
The American Heart Association lists 120/80 and lower as normal blood pressure. The numbers you list would qualify as hypertension requiring treatment. It looks like your physician has appropiately started you ... continue reading about I take medication for high blood pressure. My current numbers are 138/87 to 140/94. Is that okay or should my medication be changed? It's been over a year since I started taking the medication.
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.
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
Recently I was having pressure in my chest and pain in my neck and arms. I thought I was having a heart attack. The ER doctor said I have angina. How is angina different from a heart attack?
Angina (also called angina pectoris) is defined as: “a condition marked by severe pain in the chest, often also spreading to the shoulders, arms, and neck, owing to an inadequate blood supply to the heart... continue reading about Recently I was having pressure in my chest and pain in my neck and arms. I thought I was having a heart attack. The ER doctor said I have angina. How is angina different from a heart attack?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Does a lack of minerals cause a quivering heart?
When the level of certain electrolytes in the blood gets low, this can cause more extra heart beats (premature atrial complexes, premature ventricular complexes) and also promote more abnormal heart rhythm, esp... continue reading about Does a lack of minerals cause a quivering heart?
Alexander M. Reyzelman, DPM
SEBMF HMO Network
What does it mean when I keep getting cramps in my toes and occasionally my calves? I have a heart condition and was wondering if the cramps could have something to do with poor circulation?
Typically muscle cramps that are associated with poor circulation occur only during walking. Classical symptoms of poor circulation are the calves feeling heavy and fatigued, and the person needing to stop and ... continue reading about What does it mean when I keep getting cramps in my toes and occasionally my calves? I have a heart condition and was wondering if the cramps could have something to do with poor circulation?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have my heart disease under control with diet and medication. Can work stress have a negative impact on my heart? If so, what can I do?
There are known and frequently discussed risk factors for “heart disease”. These range from dietary habits (such as sodium intake) to disease states (such as hypertension). Stress is not a confirmed... continue reading about I have my heart disease under control with diet and medication. Can work stress have a negative impact on my heart? If so, what can I do?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
Can antioxidants help prevent a heart attack?
Research into the role of antioxidants in heart disease has been going on for a long period of time. To date there is no definitive evidence that antioxidant or vitamin supplements reduce the incidence of, or m... continue reading about Can antioxidants help prevent a heart attack?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
How do I know if I'm having a heart palpitation? What do they feel like?
Palpitations can feel different to different people. Sometimes they are described as a skipping sensation of the heart. Sometimes an irregularity in the heart beat is likened to a bird fluttering around inside ... continue reading about How do I know if I'm having a heart palpitation? What do they feel like?
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?
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