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
![Doctor checking blood pressure](/images/health-topics/heart-disease/doctor-checking-blood-pressure-of-african-american-patient-280x150.jpg)
Four Health Numbers You Should Know
The four numbers that reveal crucial information about your health, and what you can do to improve them.
![](/images/health-topics/fitness/tired-man-working-out-at-gym-280x150.jpg)
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](/images/health-topics/nutrition/tomatoes-280x150.jpg)
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
Powell O. Jose, M.D., FACC
Sutter Medical Foundation
My 86-year-old mom just passed away from aortic valve stenosis. Should I contact my doctor and have my heart checked out? I've heard that most heart exams are geared for men more so than women. What should I do?
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. Aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of one of your heart's valves that prevents it from opening fully. This can obstruct blood flow in your heart from going onward to t... continue reading about My 86-year-old mom just passed away from aortic valve stenosis. Should I contact my doctor and have my heart checked out? I've heard that most heart exams are geared for men more so than women. What should I do?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
I've been through some bad loses this year (relationship, foreclosure) and have had chest pain and shortness of breath. My doctor said I had stress cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome). What are the other symptoms, is it dangerous, will I get it again?
I am sorry for your losses.Cardiomyopathy can be a serious condition. In addition to chest pain and shortness of breath, patients can have dyspnea on exertion, fatigue, edema, and in some cases hepatic or kidne... continue reading about I've been through some bad loses this year (relationship, foreclosure) and have had chest pain and shortness of breath. My doctor said I had stress cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome). What are the other symptoms, is it dangerous, will I get it again?
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, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I read that taking rosuvastatin (Crestor) may increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Is this true for other statins? I'm a 55-year-old woman who is taking a low dose of Lipitor. My last fasting blood sugar showed that I'm at a pre-diabetes stage.
You are correct. There is concern that at least two of the statin drugs, Crestor and simvastation (Zocor), are associated with an increased risk of the development of Type 2 diabetes. A recent meta-analysis (po... continue reading about I read that taking rosuvastatin (Crestor) may increase the risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Is this true for other statins? I'm a 55-year-old woman who is taking a low dose of Lipitor. My last fasting blood sugar showed that I'm at a pre-diabetes stage.
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
If you have been diagnosed with a coronary blockage, what treatment options are available?
There are always things that the doctor and patient can do to improve symptoms when one has a coronary blockage, or a narrowed artery to the heart. I can't emphasize enough the importance of both the health car... continue reading about If you have been diagnosed with a coronary blockage, what treatment options are available?
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.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I’ve been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and my doctor says I will need to get a valve replacement. Can heart valves be replaced without open heart surgery?
Yes, there’s a minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter -- TAVR -- that may be a better choice for some people who are at moderate to high risk of complications from open heart surgery. TAVR... continue reading about I’ve been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and my doctor says I will need to get a valve replacement. Can heart valves be replaced without open heart surgery?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
How does the sac that surrounds the heart become infected?
The “sac that surrounds the heart” is called the pericardium. The pericardium is a fibroelastic sac that contains 15 to 50 cc of fluid and surrounds and protects the heart. Pericarditis, or an infla... continue reading about How does the sac that surrounds the heart become infected?
Astrin Damayanti, R.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
I'm a woman (51) who has diabetes. I read recently that women with diabetes have a much greater risk of developing heart disease than those who don't have it. Why is this, and what can I do to protect myself from heart problems?
Statistics have shown that the leading causes of death among people with diabetes are heart disease and stroke. That is because people with diabetes often times have hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and they... continue reading about I'm a woman (51) who has diabetes. I read recently that women with diabetes have a much greater risk of developing heart disease than those who don't have it. Why is this, and what can I do to protect myself from heart problems?
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