This localized ballooning of the body’s largest artery can either rupture, hemorrhaging blood into the body cavity, or dissect, leaking blood into the lining of the aorta. This potentially deadly situation can be averted if the aneurysm is diagnosed and repaired. More...

More than 4 million Americans experience heart rhythm problems that cause bothersome--sometimes dangerous--signs or symptoms, including shortness of breath, fainting, and even unexpected loss of heart function and consciousness. More...

For most people with cardiomyopathy, their hearts don't function normally because the heart has become either enlarged, abnormally thick, abnormally rigid, or unable to transmit electrical impulses in a normal fashion. More...

The most common form of heart disease, CAD usually results from atherosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries." Over time, it can cause heart attacks. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness or dizziness, nausea, and palpitations. More...

Eight of every 1,000 babies are born with some sort of structural defect in their heart. Over the past 50 years, dramatic advances have been made in the treatment and correction of congenital heart defects. Today, there are about 1 million adults with congenital heart disease in the United States. More...

This condition occurs when the heart pumps more weakly than it should, and fluids build up in the lungs and in other body tissues. Common symptoms are shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and weight gain from the excess fluids. More...

Everyone who is 20 years of age or older should have his blood levels of cholesterol tested at least once every five years. If your levels are high, there are a variety of lifestyle measures and medications you can take to lower them--and your risk of heart disease. More...

Although hypertension may not produce symptoms, it is a primary cause of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness. In most cases, hypertension is controllable with lifestyle modifications--such as diet and exercise--and medication. More...

This inherited disease of the heart is characterized by a thickened heart muscle that is less efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. The electrical activity of the heart may also be affected, which can lead to abnormal heart rhythms or even sudden death. More...

Medicine has made great strides in diagnosing and treating stroke, in which a blood vessel carrying oxygen and other nutrients to the brain becomes blocked or suddenly bursts. As a result, the death rate has dropped even as the number of strokes has risen. More...

One of the most important ways to preserve good health is to control your weight. By shedding pounds, overweight people can reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary heart disease (CHD.) More...