Strategies that protect blood vessels also fight aging-related memory loss.

Like a slow, invisible thief, Alzheimer's disease steals memory and so much more. Its partner in crime, vascular dementia, has long lurked in the shadows. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association puts the spotlight on vascular dementia and offers recommendations for preventing it.

The word "dementia" means deprived of mind. It's a catchall term that covers the memory loss, confusion, changes in personality, and dwindling ability to perform everyday activities that affect millions of older people. One main cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, ...

U.S. doctors are turning to the radial artery for angioplasty.

Following any artery back to its source brings you to the heart. Doctors have used that truism since the early 1980s to gain entry to the heart without cutting open the chest. The large, easily accessed femoral artery in the groin has long been the on-ramp for procedures such as angiography (a special x-ray of the coronary arteries) and artery-opening angioplasty. Now, some doctors in the United States are choosing a new point of entry — the radial artery in the wrist (see illustration). This approach could be a good ...

"Apps" and devices are turning cell phones into tools for health.

The powerful computer you may carry in your pocket or purse — more commonly known as a cell phone or smartphone — can do so much more than make calls, send text messages, and play games. A host of applications ("apps") and devices that plug into or connect with smartphones and tablets can help you monitor your health, manage a medical condition, and communicate with your doctor.

Hundreds of heart-related applications are available for the iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and other smartphones. Many are little more than glorified diaries or ...

Studies showing that alcohol protects the heart raise questions about drinking.

Does moderate, prudent drinking protect the heart and arteries? Two analyses say — shout, actually — that the answer is yes. But they raise a bigger issue: What should we do with this information? The answer to that question may come as a surprise.

Let's look at the findings first. Researchers from the University of Calgary, University of Texas Health Science Center, and Harvard Medical School scoured the medical literature for long-term studies that compared drinking habits with the development of cardiovascular disease. Of the 4,235 studies they identified, ...

According to a Swedish study, the influence of genes on the development of heart disease is stronger than environment.

Water exercise is beneficial and safe for those with heart disease.

People with atrial fibrillation who undergo an ablation procedure may need two or more of the procedures to ease the arrhythmia.

I had a pacemaker implanted a few months ago. I am planning to join a gym, but I am afraid of damaging the wires with some of the presses and pull-down movements I would have to do to work out. Are there any exercises or movements I should avoid?

My 61-year-old mother plans to take a long plane trip. Her legs usually become swollen when she flies a long distance. Should she wear elastic stockings or take any other precautions so she doesn't develop a blood clot in her legs?

My blood pressure has wide swings each day. It can go as high as 210/110, then fall to 100/50, tiring me. My doctor says I'm just a "reactive person." My diet is excellent, and I try to keep active. Could my adrenal glands have anything to do with this?

My 69-year-old husband has had cardiomyopathy and diabetes for years. Lately his ankles are always swollen. At his last doctor visit, his cardiologist said his heart has leaky valves and his ejection fraction is 10%. What would be the best plan for him?