Heart Health - Causes

Kyla Jones

Kyla Jones had never experienced any heart problems. Then suddenly, she suffered a near-fatal heart attack and had to undergo double-bypass surgery. See how she cheated death and was able to regain control of her health.

Men with Baldness at the Crown May Be More Prone to Heart Disease

Studies have shown a link between specific patterns of male baldness and the development of coronary heart disease. However, there isn't a clear explanation for the association. Should you be concerned?

It Is Not Possible to Be Obese and Healthy, Study Shows

Although they may feel healthy in the present, obese individuals are not exempt from the long-term consequences of carrying extra pounds.

What Type of Body Fat Is Most Dangerous?

More than one third of adults and nearly one in five children are obese. However, not all fat is created equal.

Do You Have Too Much of This Type of Fat?

Excess abdominal fat, especially visceral fat, may be a risk factor for some serious health problems. Fortunately, you can take measures to improve your health. Here's how.

8 Signs You Have Secondary Hypertension

Could your high blood pressure be a side effect of another medical condition? Learn more about this form of hypertension.

Diet, Bacteria, and Your Heart

The foods you eat can end up hardening your arteries, but not in the way you think.

Thick Blood: What Are the Risks?

People with thicker (more viscous) blood have a higher chance of heart problems and even type 2 diabetes. Learn more about the connection.

Air Pollution May Up Your Cardio Risk

Did you know your surroundings could increase your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke? Here's why.

Transient Ischemic Attacks: What You Need to Know

Sometimes referred to as "mini strokes," TIAs are temporary and cause no permanent damage. But they can be a warning sign of bigger problems to come.

The Cigarette, Hormone, and Disease Connection

Researchers have identified an association among hormones and increased risk of diseases in people who smoke.

A New Take on Heart Disease Risk

BMI is a popular tool to evaluate cardiac health, but it may not be the best one.

Why Your Healthy Habits May Not Protect Your Heart

Doing everything right when it comes to heart health? You may still be at risk for cardiovascular disease. Here's why.

Diagnosed With Diabetes? Beware of Another Risk

An estimated 1 out of 3 people with diabetes over the age of 50 has Peripheral Artery Disease, a condition that increases one's risk of heart attack and stroke.

5 Important (But Rarely Explained) Medical Terms, and What They Mean

Struggling to understand what your doctor s saying? Here are some helpful translations.

Is Heartburn the Same As GERD?

Heartburn is a symptom of GERD. And there s more to know about how these conditions are distinct.

Rice With a Side of Arsenic

A new study finds carcinogens in rice. Is there enough detected to cause widespread concern?

Fix Your Muscle Cramps, and Figure Out What's Causing Them

Ouch! Ease those sharp muscle spasms, and try these preventative tips including keeping hydrated.

Will Replacement Joints Harm Your Heart?

Patients have a significantly higher risk of heart attack following joint replacement surgery. Take steps to protect yourself.

Could High Blood Pressure Be a Good Thing?

Surprisingly, for some senors, the answer may be "yes."

The Link Between Heart Disease and Asthma

When it comes to these two serious health issues, can one cause the other?

Ozone Danger Zone for Your Heart

Is there something dangerous in the air? Researchers are getting to the heart of the matter.

Could Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Also Prevent Depression?

Commonly used to prevent coronary heart disease, statins may also lower the risk of major depression.

What Does Smoking Do to Your Heart?

Become aware of the startling statistics about lighting up. Get tips on putting down the cigarettes for good.

Should You Shake Your Salt Habit?

Studies link sodium to heart disease and hypertension. But now, science shows sodium is beneficial. Here's what to believe.

Health by the Numbers: Heart Health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 2,500 Americans each day. Here's a look at heart health by the numbers.

The Link Between Peripheral Artery Disease and Depression

Psychosocial factors like stress and depression can have an adverse effect on cardiac health. Here's what you can do.

Why Men Have High Cholesterol and What to Do About It

Here are the essentials to know when it comes to cholesterol and men's health.

Update: Gum Disease, Heart Disease Connection

You've heard your oral health impacts your heart. Here's what the American Heart Association says now.

Your Sleep Habits and Your Heart Health

Here are some surprising connections between how you rest and your cardiovascular health.

Peripheral Arterial Disease: What You Need to Know

Up to 12 million people in the U.S. are currently living with this condition. Here are the risk factors and treatments options.

What Causes Impotence in Men?

Thanks to TV ads erectile dysfunction is no longer under the covers. Still, misconceptions remain. Learn what causes impotence and ways to reduce your risk.

Health by the Numbers: Diabetes

As obesity rates climb, health problems such as diabetes are becoming more common. Here's a look at the disease by the numbers.

Is Heart Attack Possible Without Risk Factors?

Even if you exercise, eat right, and never smoke, you could still be at risk.

Heart Disease in Women vs. Men: 6 Big Differences

While heart disease remains the leading cause of death among both genders, there are additional dangers for women.

Are Heart Murmurs Harmful?

While some heart murmurs are minor, others may signify a serious health issue. Here are the facts.

Should Your Broken Heart Be Treated Medically?

Broken Heart Syndrome can be harmful to your mind and body, and it can be treated.

4 Heart Facts Every Woman Should Know

When it comes to your cardiovascular health, the essentials are clear.

The 10 Best Reasons to Quit Smoking

Many people successfully kick the habit, and you can too. Here, the top 10 benefits of smoke-free living.

The Truth About Triglycerides

When it comes to assessing cholesterol, HDL and LDL get most of the focus. But there's another category that deserves equal attention.

Southern Home Cooking Lightens Up

Sugar, butter, and cream may be one celebrity chef's go-to ingredients, but that doesn't mean you should follow in her footsteps. You can still recreate the cuisine of the Queen of Southern Cooking without doing damage to your health. Let a team of experts show you how.

5 Habits That Hurt Your Heart

You know a lot of things you should be doing for your health, but here are mindless habits you can drop now and then enjoy the health benefits for years to come.

The Link Between Nerve Damage and ED

Nerve damage doesn't only affect the legs, fingers, and the toes. It can also result in erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence. Read on to find out how you can prevent ED from affecting you.

Broken Hearts: How Your Relationship Affects Your Heart Health

The ups and downs associated with relationships don't pertain only to emotions. In fact, your partnership, good or bad, can have a real effect on your body.

8 Factors That Contribute to Erectile Dysfunction

If you have Erectile Dysfunction (ED), getting your sex life back on track is probably a top priority. As a first step, consider whether these lifestyle changes are at the root of your sexual woes.

How to Combat Fluid Retention

Fluid retention is a common occurrence. Here are 10 lifestyle changes you can make to help reduce or eliminate excess fluids.

Atrial Fibrillation: Know the Signs, Prevent Complications

During atrial fibrillation, the heart's two upper chambers beat out of sync with the two lower chambers. Learn about the potential causes and complications of this condition.

Pulmonary Embolism: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

What exactly causes pulmonary embolism, and is there a way to lower your risk? Read on for some insight into this frightening malady.

Why Worrying Hurts Your Heart

What is it about chronic worrying and anxiety that increases the likelihood of suffering a heart attack? And how can you take steps to reduce that risk?

Heart Disease: Is "Apple" Really Worse?

Are you an "apple"? Are you a "pear"? And what does that really determine anyway?

Regular NSAID Use Could Cause This Unwanted Side Effect

New research indicates that what may be good for your heart may be bad for your sex life. But does that mean you should stop taking NSAIDs and give up the heart benefits to avoid this sexual disorder?

Living with Dumping Syndrome

If you've had surgery to remove part of your stomach or had gastric bypass surgery to help you lose weight, you may be susceptible to this condition.

What Causes a Heart Attack?

A new study reveals some surprising factors when it comes to what brings on a heart attack.

What is Hemochromatosis?

Also known as hereditary hemochromatosis, the body absorbs too much iron from foods you eat. The excess iron then gets stored in your organs, especially the liver, heart, and pancreas, which over time can damage them and lead to life-threatening illnesses.

The Not-So-Sweet Truth About Teens and Sugar

Your teen's daily consumption of what seems like a bottomless pit of sugar might seem harmless now, but that very behavior can put her heart at risk later on in life. Thankfully, you can put a stop to this.

Is That Feeling Angina or Indigestion?

Learn the essential rule of thumb for knowing the difference between heartburn and heart trouble.

Heart Disease: A Survival Guide

Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the U.S. But heart disease is actually a category of diseases and it pays to know the different types.

Work Stress: Hazardous to Your Health

According to a new study, women who experience high stress on their jobs have an increased risk for heart attack or other forms of heart disease.

What's Really in Your Coffee Creamer?

It probably doesn't matter what type of creamer you use, or what's on the ingredient list if you drink a cup of coffee a day. But if you drink several cups a day, and add more than the standard serving size of creamer per cup, you may be getting more fat and sugar than you bargained for.

Life Span Linked to Resting Heart Rate

A new study finds that heart disease patients' risk of suffering a major cardiovascular event can be measured by their resting heart rate.

Sleep Apnea and Your Heart

Snoring loudly enough to wake up your sleeping spouse may be more than just annoying, it could signal a serious health problem.

Stroke in Young Adults: Not So Uncommon

The statistics are shocking: According to the American Heart Association, every 45 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke.

The Dangers of Being "Skinny Fat"

What is the normal weight obesity condition and what can you do about it?

5 Common Congenital Heart Defects

Congenital cardiovascular defects, ranging from mild to severe, occur in about one percent of all live births, or approximately eight out of every 1,000 births, and are the most common congenital malformation in newborns.

Watching Sports May Be Bad for Your Heart

One study showed the risk for cardiac arrest soared to two to four times higher while watching heart-pounding sports events. But does it matter if your team wins or loses?

Understanding Aneurysms and Aortic Disease

Aortic disease is known as a silent epidemic because each year nearly 47,000 Americans die from the disorder. Understand the warning signs and risk factors of aneurysms.

The Link Between Anemia and Heart Failure

Heart disease patients who also have or develop anemia are more likely to experience more severe heart problems. Find out why and what you can do.

What You Should Know About Heart Palpitations

We've all experienced the sensation of our heart skipping a beat. Or maybe it's felt as if it's fluttering inside our chest. Brought on by a number of factors, these "heart palpitations" usually aren't serious.

Calcium in Arteries May Predict Heart Attack Risk

A study found that the addition of a patient's coronary artery calcium (CAC) score to their other risk factors for heart disease (smoking, age, and cholesterol levels) led to a better prediction of their category of risk-low, intermediate or high-for developing heart disease than traditional factors alone.

The Truth About Caffeine's Effect on Your Health

Is caffeine good or bad for your health? Get the truth here.

The Cardiac Dangers of Macular Degeneration

A team of Australian researchers has found that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) greatly increases your chances of dying from a heart attack or stroke.

Predicting Heart Disease in Women

As part of the American Heart Association's focus on women and heart health, the organization initiated new guidelines in 2007 to help doctors evaluate women's risk factors for cardiac disease. Three years later, how well are these guidelines working?

5 Ways your TV is Slowly Killing You

Research suggests that your TV-viewing habit can be a deadly pastime.

5 Worst Things You Can Do to Your Heart

Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States, but it is also highly preventable. These are the five worst things that you can do to your heart.

Sitting Too Long Could Be Dangerous to Your Health

Sitting too long raises fatality risk, experts say.

Body Fat and Disease Prevention

Having fat on the lower portion of your body, such as on the thighs, hips and backside, may protect against diabetes and heart disease, a recent report suggests.

Pediatric Stroke: What You Should Know

When you think of strokes, you probably think it only happens to adults. In fact, pediatric stroke also exists and it s important to know the signs of this serious condition in case your child is at risk.

Is Electrosmog Harming Your Health?

Electrical pollution from cell phones and WiFi known as "electrosmog" is hazardous to our health, according to recent research.

Salt and Stroke: Even a Little Might Be Too Much

Sodium is essential, but too much of anything is bad news for your body. Now, studies show that intake of salt needs to be even less than previously thought to ward off the risk of stroke.

Obesity as Dangerous as a Lifetime of Smoking

Surely being overweight can't be nearly as bad for you as a smoking habit. Well, think again.

The Job Stress and Stroke Connection

Men who feel stressed at work are at a greater risk of having a stroke.

Sugar is Not So Sweet on the Heart

Experts are now beginning to link excess sugar intake to higher incidences of heart disease.

Panic Attacks and Mitral Valve Prolapse

Many believe that panic attacks and mitral valve prolapse are linked. But is this the truth? Read on to get what the studies are really saying.

Erectile Dysfunction May Be a Sign of Heart Disease

ED may be even more serious than it first seemed.

Does Being a Workaholic Jeopardize Your Health?

Recognize the signs of being a workaholic and learn what to do to protect your health.

Triglycerides and Nerve Damage in Diabetics

For the first time, a simple blood test may hold the answer

Blood Pressure and Sleep: What's the Connection?

How many hours of slumber do experts suggest for a healthy heart?

How Snoring Can Hurt Your Heart

Did you know that in addition to being a nighttime nuisance, snoring can also be downright dangerous?

Heart Disease and Depression: What's the Link?

Learn more about this important connection.

Guys: Are You at Risk for Stroke?

Health officials assert that cardiovascular disease is preventable in many cases. Find out if you re at risk for stroke and what you should or must do about it.

5 Hidden Sources of Trans Fat

These dangerous ingredients could be lurking in the most unexpected places.

Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke: A Troublesome Trio

High blood sugar increases risks of heart disease for people with diabetes and non-diabetics.

A Triple Threat: Lupus, Heart Disease, and Osteoporosis

Lupus affects more women than men, but it also worsens two of the most common health problems women have heart disease and osteoporosis.

Be Aware of Your Heart Health

By staying vigilant you can ensure that any heart problem is caught in time.

What Michael Jackson s Death Means for You

While Jackson s death is tragic, much can be learned about cardiac arrest and what you can do to prepare yourself for a heart emergency.

The Link Between Heart Disease and Cancer

How are these most feared diseases related?

The Top 3 Heart Diseases

Not all cardiovascular diseases are created equal some affect more people than others.

Depression Could Up Your Risk of Heart Disease

Find out if you're at risk of heart disease and what you can do to protect yourself.

Can Driving Cause Heart Attacks?

One of America s favorite pastimes driving could be linked to heart disease.

Surprising Heart Attack Triggers

Though heart attacks seem to attack suddenly, there s usually an event that sets it off, and you can often take steps to bypass such events.

Diabetes and Heart Disease

Find out how diabetes and heart disease are related and what you can do to reduce your risk.

The Effects of Stress on the Heart

When the going gets rough, how bad does it tax the heart? Recent research provides some interesting answers.

Women and Heart Scans

Can this controversial yet useful technology one day knock heart disease from its spot as the leading killer of American women?

The Latest Breakthroughs in Heart Health

Ripped from the headlines, here are a few recent topics that have the cardiology community abuzz.

The Latest Breakthroughs in Heart Health

Ripped from the headlines, here are a few recent topics that have the cardiology community abuzz.

Heart Disease and Depression: What s the Link?

Depression has been linked to a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

What Does Your Family's Health History Mean For Your Health?

You exercise, eat right, get plenty of sleep, and avoid excess stress. Complete your health puzzle by learning your family's health history.

Heart Disease: The Genetic Link

The human genome was successfully mapped in April 2003, a relatively short time ago. In the wake of the map s completion, we have learned much about the link between genes and disease, but research is still in a nascent stage our genome is composed of 3 billion base pairs and 30,000 genes, after all.

5 Strategies to Prevent Heart Disease

It's the number one killer of women, but with the right lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce your risk.

Panic Disorder and Heart Health

See how this disorder that affects 6 million Americans can be a burden to your heart.

Preventing Heart Disease in Women

Find out what you can do to prevent the number one killer of American women.

Stress and Heart Health: What's the Link?

Read on to find out how stress can be a burden on your body.

10 Foods That Cause Heart Attacks

Concerned about high cholesterol or high blood pressure? Avoid these foods at all costs.

5 Scary Health Risks of Sleep Deprivation

Not getting enough z's? You could be doing serious damage to your health.

Could You Be at Risk for a Stroke?

Learn what you can do to protect yourself from this debilitating health threat.

High Cholesterol: Could Your Children Be at Risk?

Early steps in childhood to keep cholesterol low can help reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke later in life.

Is There Really Such a Thing as a Broken Heart?

As it turns out, heartbreak may be more than just a metaphor.

Are You an Optimist or a Pessimist?

Do you see the glass as half-empty or half-full? Your answer could have major effects on your health.

Understanding Your Cholesterol Levels

Do you know your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride numbers? Learn how to decipher these terms and reduce your disease risk.

Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers

These numbers could potentially save your life.
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