Harvard Health Content API

A highly sensitive version of a blood test currently used to diagnose heart attacks may one day also help doctors predict dangerous heart events in people at risk.

Taking part in a cardiac rehabilitation program following a heart event helps people live better and maybe longer. All too frequently, people don’t enter a program because of the lack of a doctor’s referral or other barriers to participation.

Among the different types of whole grains, oats appear to be the most effective when it comes to lowering cholesterol levels. A good option is hot cereal made from steel-cut or rolled oats.

I am scheduled for an electrical cardioversion for my atrial fibrillation. What should I expect?

In the setting of holiday fun, the willpower to make heart-healthy food choices can quickly evaporate. Planning ahead can help you navigate the hazards of holiday overindulgence while enjoying the flavors of the season.

A regular walking routine can lower blood pressure, stave off diabetes, and prevent heart disease. Finding walking buddies, using a pedometer, and following a walking workout plan may help people stick to a program.

People who feel dizzy or lightheaded when they stand up may have orthostatic hypotension, a condition in which blood pressure drops dramatically upon standing. As many as 30% of emergency room visits for fainting may be due to orthostatic hypotension.