Topic guides reader through decision to get a pacemaker for heart rate problems. Provides general overview of what pacemakers are and what heart problems can be helped with pacemakers. Lists benefits and possible complications of getting a pacemaker.

Guides people not already diagnosed with coronary artery disease through decision to take statin medicine to lower risk of heart attack or stroke. Covers cholesterol and other risk factors. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Topic guides reader through decision to get an ICD for heart rhythm problems. Provides general overview of what ICDs are and what heart rhythm problems can be helped with ICDs. Lists benefits and possible complications of getting an ICD.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (say "pair-uh-part-uhm kar-dee-oh-my-AWP-uh-thee") is a heart condition that some people get during pregnancy or soon after childbirth. It happens when the heart muscle stretches more than normal and becomes weak. It may cause problems, such as heart failure. This means your heart can't pump...

An echocardiogram (echo) is a type of ultrasound examination that uses high-pitched sound waves sent through a device called a transducer to produce an image of the heart and sometimes the aorta. An echocardiogram measures how well the heart is working by evaluating blood flow, heart valves, and heart size, thickness...

Things that put you at risk for coronary artery disease are the things that lead to a problem called atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. These things include: High cholesterol. High blood pressure. Diabetes. Smoking. Being overweight. A family history of early heart disease. Early heart disease means you have...

Cardiologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases or conditions of the heart and blood vessels, such as irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, heart failure, or heart attacks. Cardiologists administer tests that show how well a person's heart is working, such as a...

Many experts say that light to moderate drinking can be part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. But there isn't enough evidence to tell us if drinking alcohol actually helps your heart. If you drink alcohol, limit how much you drink. But if you do not drink alcohol, do not start drinking to try to lower your risk of coronary...

Myxomas are tumors of connective tissue. They can occur almost anywhere in the body, including the heart. What problems can they cause? A myxoma tumor can cause different types of problems. These include problems with blood flow through the heart and how well the heart pumps blood. If pieces of a tumor break off, they...

What is Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome? Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a heart rhythm problem. It causes a very fast heart rate. With WPW, an extra electrical pathway links the upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart. In normal hearts, the only electrical connection between the...

Alan is something of a miracle man. At the age of 32, he had a massive heart attack. But more than 40 years, 4 bypass surgeries, 30 angioplasties, and a combined pacemaker/defibrillator later, he's still thriving. He learned how to cope with heart disease the hard way. Alan had always been healthy and athletic. Except...

There are several ways to measure your body's responses to exercise and other lifestyle changes. You may want to keep track of the following measurements during your exercise sessions at cardiac rehab and at home. Target heart rate Your target heart rate can guide you to how hard you need to exercise so you can get the...

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is caused by long-term heavy alcohol use. It is a type of dilated cardiomyopathy. The heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood efficiently. If your heart gets weaker, you may develop heart failure. Alcohol in excessive quantities has a directly toxic effect on heart muscle cells. Symptoms...

Electrical pulses in the heart are controlled by special groups of cells called nodes. The SA (sinoatrial) node generates an electrical signal that causes the upper heart chambers (atria) to contract. The signal then passes through the AV (atrioventricular) node to the lower heart chambers (ventricles), causing them to...

Heart palpitations are an uncomfortable awareness of the heart beating rapidly or irregularly. Palpitations can be caused by many things. These include stress, certain health conditions, medicines, alcohol, and caffeine. Heart palpitations can feel like: Pounding or fluttering in your chest. Your heart is doing a...

The heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers are called atria (the right atrium and the left atrium), and the two lower chambers are called ventricles. Normally, the heartbeat starts in the right atrium in a group of special heart cells called the sinoatrial (or sinus) node. These cells act as a pacemaker for the...

Guides people who have not had a heart attack or a stroke through decision to take daily aspirin. Discusses benefits and risks. Looks at who can take daily aspirin. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.

Provides link to info on high cholesterol and cholesterol/triglyceride tests. Also has links to info on coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease of the legs, plus tools to decide about treatment options.

Heart rhythm problems, called arrhythmias, can cause a few types of symptoms. Some of these symptoms include: Palpitations. Having palpitations means that you are unusually aware of your heartbeat. Some people describe them as: A "fluttering" in their chest. A "skipped beat." A "pounding sensation." A feeling that the...

Discusses problems with how a baby's heart forms. Also looks at problems found when a person is an adult. Includes info on patent ductus arteriosus, aortic valve stenosis, and coarctation of the aorta. Covers treatment with medicine and surgery.