Heart medicines only protect the heart when they are taken. This article looks at why so many people miss or stop their medicines, and the practical supports that make a routine easier to keep.
Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac around the heart. The pain is sharp, worse lying flat, better sitting forward, and alarming enough to mimic a heart attack. Here is what causes it and what the evidence supports.
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.
Vascepa, known as Vazkepa in Australia, is a prescription omega-3 medication. In the REDUCE-IT trial it reduced serious cardiovascular events by 25% in high-risk patients already on a statin. Here is who it is for and how it differs from fish oil.
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.
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.
Most cardiac emergencies build gradually. An aortic dissection does not. It arrives at full force in people who felt perfectly well moments earlier, and recognising the pain is what gets you to hospital in time.
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
