That sounds like a pericardial fat pad, which is a small lump of fatty tissue on the outside of the heart. Cardiologists generally consider it of little or no significance. It does not affect your heart functio... continue reading  about  An MRI test showed a fat pad on the tip of my heart. Will this go away by itself?

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.

Great question, and one we get asked often. We also get asked about the use of Viagra. Sexual activity is generally categorized under "vigorous physical activity." Patients with known heart conditions need to c... continue reading  about  Can you participate in sex if you have an enlarged heart?

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?

I'm sorry to hear that you recently suffered from a deep venous thrombosis (DVT), but I'm glad to you have been treated with anti-coagulation medications and are recovering nicely. There is a condition called p... continue reading  about  I was recently diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). I am being treated with Xarelto. What else can I do to promote healing during next six months of treatment? I'm physically active and I wear a compression stocking on the leg with DVT.

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?

Excellent question.When it comes to heart disease or heart attacks, minutes could be the difference between life and death. Most people are familiar with the TV version of a heart attack, with a man clutching h... continue reading  about  What are the most ignored signs of heart disease?

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?

Feeling palpitations in the head or neck is sometimes a sign of a particular type of tachycardia called "AV nodal reentry tachycardia." This is a rapid heart rhythm caused by an electrical short circuit in the ... continue reading  about  I have heart palpitations, and sometimes I think I can even feel them in my head and neck. Could that be possible? The palpitations seem to get worse if I drink too much coffee or wine. Are there other things I should be avoiding?