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
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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.
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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.
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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
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
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?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I’m a woman (52) who’s had heart palpitations for 20 years. Now they happen more often. I get 10-50 per day where I feel my heart skip around. I’ve been to cardiologists, and they find nothing wrong and say it’s just PVCs and PACs. Should I worry?
In general, premature atrial complexes (PACs) and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are not harmful. This holds especially true if there is nothing else wrong with the heart. When someone presents with bot... continue reading about I’m a woman (52) who’s had heart palpitations for 20 years. Now they happen more often. I get 10-50 per day where I feel my heart skip around. I’ve been to cardiologists, and they find nothing wrong and say it’s just PVCs and PACs. Should I worry?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
My heart has been skipping and I'm feeling dizzy. I went in for testing and was diagnosed with second degree heart block. The doctor said that if it goes to third degree, he might suggest a pacemaker. What can I do to avoid moving to third degree?
When the heart beat starts to slow down, or when the conduction starts to block every so often, sometimes it is because a medication is stressing the heart's electrical system. If there are no medications to ac... continue reading about My heart has been skipping and I'm feeling dizzy. I went in for testing and was diagnosed with second degree heart block. The doctor said that if it goes to third degree, he might suggest a pacemaker. What can I do to avoid moving to third degree?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
My primary care doctor detected an abnormal heart rhythm and wants me to see a cardiologist for an EP study. What is an EP study and what is the cardiologist looking for?
The EP study is an "electrophysiology study." This is a test that is performed by a cardiac electrophysiologist (a specialized cardiologist that is trained to manage heart rhythm problems). The EP study is a co... continue reading about My primary care doctor detected an abnormal heart rhythm and wants me to see a cardiologist for an EP study. What is an EP study and what is the cardiologist looking for?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
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?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
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?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
Are heart palpitations a serious symptoms for someone 62 years old and in good physical shape? My PCP did an ECG and a Holter monitor exam, and suggested I see a cardiologist. Do I need to?
In general, heart palpitations are not a serious problem as long as the heart is healthy. Being in good physical shape and staying active are good signs that the heart is indeed healthy. There are times, howeve... continue reading about Are heart palpitations a serious symptoms for someone 62 years old and in good physical shape? My PCP did an ECG and a Holter monitor exam, and suggested I see a cardiologist. Do I need to?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I had a pacemaker inserted a year ago. It keeps dropping down and looks like the wires are about to pop out. I've asked my cardiologist about it several times and he said it's fine and should not drop anymore. I exercise 5x/week. Is that too much?
The position of the pacemaker can shift over time. After about a year, however, a strong capsule has formed around the device and it should not move any further. Because the device and the leads are very secure... continue reading about I had a pacemaker inserted a year ago. It keeps dropping down and looks like the wires are about to pop out. I've asked my cardiologist about it several times and he said it's fine and should not drop anymore. I exercise 5x/week. Is that too much?
Richard H. Hongo, M.D., FACC
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I have occasional rapid heartbeats, which my doctor recently diagnosed as PSVD. But I have no other heart conditions. So he did not suggest any type of treatment except to avoid certain things like alcohol. Is there anything else I should be doing?
PSVTs, or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias, are generally quite bothersome, but almost never life-threatening. The only time when PSVTs can pose serious danger is in the rare setting of Wolff-Parkinson-... continue reading about I have occasional rapid heartbeats, which my doctor recently diagnosed as PSVD. But I have no other heart conditions. So he did not suggest any type of treatment except to avoid certain things like alcohol. Is there anything else I should be doing?
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