Iodized salt provides only a small fraction of daily iodine intake.

The surplus of sodium in the American diet contributes to a host of cardiovascular problems, from high blood pressure and stroke to heart attack, heart failure, and more. Cutting back on salt is generally good for the heart and arteries. But could this strategy have the unintended consequence of making some Americans deficient in iodine?

That's not likely, because salt provides only a fraction of daily iodine intake for most Americans.

Why we need iodine Iodine is an element found mainly in seawater and in soil close to the ...

If you are having a stroke, a stroke center may be the place to go.

hen talking about stroke, doctors often say that "time is brain." The faster you get medical help, the greater the chances of surviving and recovering from a stroke. A movement to establish special stroke centers across the country is ushering in a seemingly contradictory phrase: the old real estate adage "location, location, location." The rise of stroke centers means that emergency medical crews could bypass a nearby hospital and take a few extra minutes to reach a more distant one.

In 2000, a group of ...

Understand the risks and limitations before embarking on this last-ditch option.

n operation that changes how the stomach and intestines digest food has been hailed as a potential lifesaver for people who are severely overweight. It can dramatically improve blood sugar, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, lessen sleep apnea (a dangerous pattern of breath holding during sleep), and improve heart function. But these benefits, which accrue only with a lifelong commitment to healthy eating and exercise, must be balanced against possible risks.

In general, the operation is intended for individuals with a body mass index of 40 or higher, or ...

ICDs save lives, but sometimes medications and other options make more sense.

The heart's ability to beat steadily for a lifetime is a testament to tough muscle and an amazing electrical system. Sometimes, though, the heart veers into an abnormal rhythm. Two potentially deadly ones are ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. One effective way to abort these rhythms and restore a normal one is with an electrical shock.

Once limited to the cart-carried generators and plate-sized paddles you see on television medical dramas ("Clear!"), so-called shock boxes are now compact enough to fit into a small pocket of muscle under ...

Excess body fat, regardless of whether it is carried on the midsection or thighs, is bad for the heart and for overall health.

Eating a Mediterranean-style diet can help with a number of health issues.

Brief reports on hypertension statistics, a theory about why some people show more of an HDL cholesterol benefit from exercise than others, and more about the connection between depression and heart disease.

Q. One day while I was gardening, I either slipped, hit my head, and passed out, or I passed out, fell, and hit my head. Since we couldn't tell, my doctors recommended I get a defibrillator as "insurance" in case a heart rhythm problem was the cause. I have had the defibrillator for eight years now, and it has never gone off. The battery is almost done and my doctor wants to put in a new battery. At age 86, I'd rather not have the procedure, the routine checkups are a hassle, and all of this is expensive. Could I ...

I am a 72-year-old with diabetes, and I need to have a hip replaced. Does my diabetes make this surgery too dangerous for my heart?

My doctor told me I have pericardial effusion. I know it has something to do with fluid in the heart. Can you tell me more?

I am 92 and have atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure, both controlled by medication. Every so often when I am relaxing after dinner, my heart feels like it stops and then starts up again with a jerk. Is this something I should worry about?