Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your 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
    • 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

    Richard H. Hongo

    Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    I have been having palpitations and skipped heartbeats for several months. My EKGs and blood work are normal. Is this all stress and anxiety?

    Palpitations are frequently caused by anxiety. On the other hand, anxiety can be caused by palpitations. Sometimes it is difficult to determine what is causing what.Typically, if you have no history of heart di... continue reading  about  I have been having palpitations and skipped heartbeats for several months. My EKGs and blood work are normal. Is this all stress and anxiety?

    Gary F. Milechman

    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

    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?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    What is your opinion of chelation therapy for heart disease? Am I at any risk if I try it for my hardening of the arteries?

    In short, don't do it. The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and National Institute of Health are all against chelation therapy for cardiovascular disease. At the very least, it has nev... continue reading  about  What is your opinion of chelation therapy for heart disease? Am I at any risk if I try it for my hardening of the arteries?

    Junaid H. Khan

    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?

    Gary F. Milechman

    Gary F. Milechman, M.D.

    California Pacific Medical Center

    Living in smoggy air in Northern California has certainly made my asthma worse. Could it also be doing any damage to my heart?

    Your question is a very good one and is of global concern and research. Markedly increased mortality was first recognized during brief extremes in air pollution as long ago as 1930 in the Meuse Valley in Belgiu... continue reading  about  Living in smoggy air in Northern California has certainly made my asthma worse. Could it also be doing any damage to my heart?

    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

    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?

    Steven C. Hao

    Steven C. Hao, M.D., FACC

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    If you are a cardiac patient, what does it mean when your ankles are swollen? How much is too much, and for how long? Could this be diet, meds or both?

    Ankle swelling can be due to a number of issues, with cardiac issues likely to be the most concerning. Other causes include, but are not limited to, venous insufficiency (incompetent valves), venous thrombosis ... continue reading  about  If you are a cardiac patient, what does it mean when your ankles are swollen? How much is too much, and for how long? Could this be diet, meds or both?

    • Contact Us
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Request Medical Records
    • Make a Gift
    Sign in to My Health Online

    Billing and Insurance

    • Pay a Bill
    • Accepted Health Plans
    • Estimate Costs
    • Medicare Advantage

    About Sutter

    • About Our Network
    • Community Benefit
    • Annual Report
    • News

    Our Team

    • For Employees
    • For Medical Professionals
    • For Vendors
    • For Volunteers

    Careers

    • Jobs at Sutter
    • Physician Jobs
    • Graduate Medical Education

    Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    • ADA Accessibility
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window

    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.