Heart Health Archive

Pain in the chest sometimes is a symptom of heart disease. But heart problems aren't always obvious. Fatigue, unexplained aches and pains, shortness of breath, swollen feet or ankles, and heart palpitations may also indicate heart trouble.

An “enlarged” heart on an X‑ray doesn’t always mean trouble. Further heart imaging can help reveal what’s really going on.

After an ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation, getting at least 90 minutes of moderate exercise per week may reduce a person’s risk of an afib recurrence, according to a 2026 study.

Compared to people who have moderate sleep-and-wake patterns, night owls may be more likely to have unhealthy habits that put their heart health at risk, according to a 2026 study.

An enlarged heart has many possible causes, including conditions that force the heart to work harder than usual (such as chronic high blood pressure or heart valve problems) and different types of cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease).

Extra steps that might further protect heart health when blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, and exercise are already well managed.

Women have unique risk factors for heart disease, including pregnancy-related complications and a higher rate of autoimmune diseases. Anatomical and other differences also influence how heart disease manifests in women.

About one in seven adults in the United States has chronic kidney disease. Simple screening tests can detect the problem, which can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.

Growing evidence suggests that poor sleep is linked to a host of health problems, including a higher risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Now, a recent study on people in midlife finds that having a combination of sleep problems may nearly triple a person's risk of heart disease.

A busy schedule can make it challenging to adhere to heart-healthy habits, but there are steps you can take that don't require much time and can fit easily into almost anyone's life.