Heartburn and your heart

Symptoms of GERD can mimic the pain of a heart attack or angina. Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) offer welcome relief for people with chronic heartburn, but as with other powerful drugs, it's important to use them wisely. More »

Can LDL be too low?

A low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level of 50 mg/dL reduces the risk of a recurrent heart attack and does not appear to impair cognition. Ongoing trials are looking at the effects of reducing LDL to 40 mg/dL or lower. More »

Cellphone safety with a pacemaker

People who have a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) should keep cellphones and smartphones at least five to seven inches away from the device. Doing so helps prevent the rare possibility of interference between the two devices. More »

8 ways to eat more fruits and vegetables

Only about one in 10 adults in the United States eats the 1.5 to two cups of fruit and two to three cups of vegetables recommended per day by the federal dietary guidelines. Common barriers include a lack of time, habit, and cost concerns. (Locked) More »

New studies support statin guidelines

The latest guidelines used to determine who should take a cholesterol-lowering statin to prevent heart disease appear to be more accurate and cost-effective than the previous guidelines. (Locked) More »

The journey toward heart disease

Years of toil against high blood pressure, clogged arteries, and obesity erode the heart's capacity to pump effectively. However, engaging in positive lifestyle habits at any age can delay the onset of heart failure symptoms. (Locked) More »

Abdominal aortic aneurysms: What you need to know

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge in the wall of the body's largest artery (aorta) where it passes through the abdomen. Targeted screening and improved repair techniques may minimize the danger of this life-threatening condition. (Locked) More »

Secondhand smoke boosts stroke risk

People who spend at least an hour a week in close contact with a smoker may have a 30% higher risk of stroke compared with people who are not exposed to secondhand smoke. (Locked) More »

Low-dose aspirin for people with heart disease

In the United States, about seven in 10 adults with heart disease follow national guidelines that recommend taking a low-dose aspirin to lower the risk of heart attack or stroke. A low-dose aspirin tablet is 81 milligrams. (Locked) More »