Should blood tests be done fasting? Only a few need it, chiefly glucose tests. Here is which heart-related tests require fasting, what counts as a fast, and why cholesterol usually does not.
Second-degree AV block means most signals reach the lower chambers of the heart and the occasional one does not. Some causes are entirely benign. Here is what the finding describes and what usually happens next.
Extra-virgin olive oil has more evidence behind it than almost any other food in cardiovascular nutrition. Here is what the research actually shows, and how to make the most of it.
Most people leave hospital with a DOAC and a thin explanation of what it does. Here is what apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran actually do, what to expect, and the few situations that need action.
ARBs are among the world's most prescribed heart medicines, and the go-to alternative when ACE inhibitors cause a cough. Here is what an ARB does, what to expect while taking one, and how it protects your heart and kidneys.
A stress echocardiogram combines an ultrasound of the heart with an exercise challenge, revealing how the heart performs under pressure, not just at rest.
A cholesterol result often arrives as a column of numbers and abbreviations with little explanation. Here is what each value measures, how the two international units compare, and why the right LDL level differs from person to person.
Cholesterol is usually described as drifting up slowly with age. For women through menopause that is wrong in an important way, and one number on the panel can move in the wrong direction while appearing not to move at all.
A simple, non-invasive CT scan that detects calcified plaque in the arteries years before symptoms appear. If you or someone you know has been referred for a calcium score, this guide explains exactly what it measures, what your result means, and what to do next.
Explore the full guide
Understand how your heart works, the anatomy, the rhythm, and what keeps it beating well.
Explore Special FocusHeart disease affects women differently. Our dedicated guide covers symptoms, risks, and what to watch for.
Explore ReferencePlain-language definitions of cardiology terms, from arrhythmia to valve disease, explained clearly.
Explore Patient SafetyThe symptoms that should never be ignored and why getting checked is always the right decision.
Explore Patient GuideMake the most of every appointment. The right questions to ask about your diagnosis, tests, and treatment.
Explore DownloadsDownloadable charts, checklists and guides to help you understand your heart health and prepare for appointments.
Explore
47,000+ subscribers · Latest videos
Causes, symptoms, tests and treatments. Everything you need to know.
Explore →Downloadable charts, guides and tools for your heart health.
Explore →Plain-language definitions of cardiology terms, explained clearly.
Explore →
By Professor Peter Barlis, Interventional Cardiologist and Founding Editor, Heart Matters. Published by Wiley.
Buy on AmazonFrom heart-healthy recipes to guides on exercise, sleep, and managing stress, our Live Well section puts the practical side of cardiovascular health in one place.
Explore Live Well
