Covers walking as one of the easiest ways to increase your physical activity and improve health. Outlines how to safely start a walking program. Provides tips for staying motivated.

Coronary Artery Disease Dilated Cardiomyopathy Heart Failure Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Oxygen therapy helps you get more oxygen into your lungs and bloodstream. You may use it if you have a disease that makes it hard to breathe, such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs), or heart failure. Oxygen therapy can make it easier for you to breathe and can reduce your heart's workload. Some people...

Covers risk of heart disease and stroke in women. Lists things that increase risk. Lists prevention steps, such as diet, exercise, not smoking, managing cholesterol and blood pressure, and making decisions on birth control and hormone therapy.

Pulse is the regular expansion of the arteries caused by the surge of blood that occurs each time the heart beats (contracts). It can be felt by gently pressing the fingers on certain blood vessels that are close to the skin's surface. Pulse is also called heart rate, which is the number of times the heart beats per...

If you have heart failure, the following tips may help you deal with fluid buildup that makes it hard to breathe. Call your doctor if you have new symptoms or if your symptoms have become worse. Elevate your upper body. Sit in a chair or prop yourself up with pillows. At night, sleep with one or two pillows under your...

An echocardiogram (also called an echo) uses sound waves to make an image of your heart. A device called a transducer sends sound waves that echo off your heart and back to the transducer. These echoes are turned into moving pictures of your heart that can be seen on a video screen. In a transthoracic echocardiogram...

For inspiration to exercise, John hasn't had to look far. His father rides his bike daily to prevent another heart attack. John's grandparents and others in his family also had heart disease. John's doctor told him that his steady weight gain over the years was putting him in danger of heart problems as well. "He said...

Caring for a child who has congenital heart disease can be challenging. But there are things you can do to make sure that your child is as healthy and comfortable as possible, whether they are at home or in the hospital. And while you're taking care of your child, remember that it's important to take care of yourself...

A heart failure action plan gives you an easy way to check your symptoms and see changes. The plan also tells you when you need to get help. Your doctor may give you a plan, or you might create one together. You'll use your plan every day. It takes the guesswork out of knowing when symptoms mean you should call your...

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a very fast heartbeat that happens from time to time because of a problem with your heart's electrical system. It may make you feel like your heart is racing, pounding, or out of rhythm. For most people who have SVT, the heart still works normally to pump blood through the body.

Covers the kinds of cholesterol. Explains that cholesterol is one of many risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Covers treatment to lower risk of heart attack and stroke, which includes healthy habits and statins.

Guides you through decision to get an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Gives information about ICDs and asks questions to help you learn if an ICD is right for you. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you decide.

Guides you through the decision to have an angiogram. Explains why the test is done and what it can show. Discusses why you might or might not want to have the test. Lists risks and benefits. Includes interactive tool to help you decide.

Guides you through decision to have bypass surgery. Covers other treatment options. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Guides you through the decision to have catheter ablation for the heart rhythm problem atrial fibrillation. Lists benefits and risks of catheter ablation and medical therapy. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Guides you through the decision to have angioplasty when you have stable angina. Lists benefits and risks of angioplasty and medical therapy. Explains why lifestyle changes are still important. Includes interactive tool to help you with your decision.

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Linda's best friend had just had a heart attack. Linda, 56, and Terri, 52, work together in the records section of their city's police department. They had also been working on getting healthier together. They both had high cholesterol and were overweight. They both smoked. But they'd been going to aerobics class and...

A diuretic is a substance that removes water from the body by promoting urine formation and the loss of salt (sodium). Caffeine and alcohol are common diuretics. Diuretic medicines include furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and spironolactone. These medicines may be used to help treat conditions such as heart failure...