How to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Person taking heart health quiz on a clipboard

How Healthy Is Your Heart? Take This Quiz To Find Out

Age, sex and genetics are just a few factors that can affect your risk of developing coronary heart disease

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Habits for a Healthy Heart

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How Weight Affects Your Heart

Having underweight, having overweight and having obesity can be dangerous for your heart

anatomical illustration of a heart against a blue background
How Making Your Heart Work Harder Makes It Stronger

Unlock the secret of your body’s hardest-working organ

Adult male using rowing machine at gym
Why Exercise Matters for Your Heart Health

Exercise lowers risk for heart conditions, improves mental health and reduces visceral fat that can compromise your organs

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7 Ways To Keep Your Heart Young

Avoid smoking, eat a good diet and exercise to prevent your heart from aging prematurely

Prevention

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How To Prevent a Heart Attack

Lifestyle choices involving food, exercise, sleep and more can help reduce your risk

generational family at home
What a Family History of Heart Disease Means for Your Health

Knowing what you can do to prevent or manage heart disease is half the battle

An illustration feautring a stethoscope listening to a human heart.
When To See a Cardiologist

If you have a family history of heart disease, you should check in with this specialist

Person enjoying container of assorted fruit
How To Protect Your Heart When You Have Prediabetes

You can counter the risk of prediabetes-related heart attack or stroke by eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as exercising regularly

Recovery

A person stands in a brightly lit room and performs a one-legged, standing yoga pose.
What To Do After a Heart Attack

Here’s what to do and how to heal after you’ve had a heart attack

post heart surgery
Tips To Help You Recover From Heart Surgery

It’s important to remember that not everyone heals at the same rate

Biker in foreground with healthy food in air behind him, cycling towards a healthy heartbeat.
Lowering Your Risk of Atrial Fibrillation After Heart Surgery

Making healthy lifestyle changes ahead of surgery can help you avoid AFib after

Older couple talk while leisurely walk across a bridge
Can You Exercise After a Heart Attack?

Absolutely! In fact, in many ways, exercise is key to recovery

Heart Attack 101

Doctor listens to patient's heart during an office appointment.
Early Signs of a Heart Attack To Take Seriously

Subtle heart attack warning signs include pressure, cold sweats and fatigue

Illustration of a person holding phone and dialing 911
What Should You Do if Someone Is Having a Heart Attack?

Get the answer from an interventional cardiologist

Person with chest pain and hard to breathe with heart and heartbeat in background.
What Does a Heart Attack Feel Like?

Symptoms may be mild, but don’t be fooled — any heart attack is serious

Person having a heart attack in background, close up of hand calling 911 on cell phone in foreground
Can You Stop a Heart Attack Once It Starts?

There’s no way to stop it once a heart attack is happening, but the most important thing you can do is to call for help

Understanding Heart Rate

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Here’s When You Should Go to the Hospital for a Dangerous Heart Rate

A resting heart rate below 35–40 beats per minute or over 100 beats per minute may be cause for concern

person sleeping in bed with heart rate monitoring watch showing
Checking Your Heart Rate While Sleeping? Here’s What Those Numbers Mean

Your heart rate naturally slows down while you sleep, but lower numbers aren’t always concerning

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What’s a Normal Heart Rate? And What Your Heart Rate Is Telling You

60 to 100 beats per minute is ‘normal,’ but you can still be healthy outside that range

doctor showing heart rate and blood pressure watch monitor
The Relationship Between Your Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

Both are related to your cardiovascular system, and both can impact the other

Managing Your Cholesterol

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Take Your Cholesterol Meds: Stopping Statins Can Cause Dangerous Side Effects

Stopping this critical medication on your own increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and more

An illustration of two vials labeled "HDL" and "LDL"
What’s the Difference Between ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Cholesterol?

Understanding the difference between ‘lousy’ and ‘healthy’ cholesterol can help you keep your heart healthy

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How to Naturally Lower Your Cholesterol

From fish to fiber to fitness, a cardiologist shares proven tips

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Give Your Good Cholesterol a Boost

Lifestyle changes can help you get your cholesterol under control

Getting to a Healthy Blood Pressure

Blood pressure cuff on arm and blood pressure-reading device
Here’s What Your Blood Pressure Numbers Mean

An ideal blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic

Person using electronic blood pressure monitor at home.
Buying a Home Blood Pressure Monitor? 6 Things You Need To Know

Steer clear of bells and whistles — simple, affordable monitors are all you really need

beet and carrot juice in a glass surrounded by beets and carrots
Can Certain Drinks Lower Your Blood Pressure?

While not magic elixirs, some drinks like beet juice and skim milk may help keep numbers down

High potassium foods.
6 Natural Ways To Lower Your Blood Pressure

Aerobic exercise, a low-sodium diet and reduced alcohol consumption can all help

Closeup of hands holding a glass of water and an aspirin
Can Aspirin Lower Blood Pressure?

Don’t believe the rumors about aspirin being a magic way to lower BP

Female drinking large glass of water at home.
What To Do if Your Blood Pressure Is Too Low

Low blood pressure got you feeling down? Staying hydrated and wearing compression socks can help

A healthcare provider measures a person's blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor.
Why You Should Take Your Blood Pressure at Home, and How To Do It

Stay on top of your health by monitoring your blood pressure regularly

Person waking up tired.
How a Lack of Sleep Contributes to High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure naturally dips when we sleep — and that dipping is crucial for a healthy heart

Separating Fact From Fiction

Older male in doctor's office with doctor holding tablet showing heart statistics
Extra Heartbeats: Should You Be Worried?

They’re rarely cause for concern, but you should still talk to a healthcare provider about your symptoms

healthcare provider speaking with older female in office
How Estrogen Supports Heart Health

Your natural estrogen levels support a healthy heart by improving your cholesterol, increasing blood flow and reducing free radicals

person helping partner with chest pain
When To Worry About Chest Pain

Don’t ignore chest pressure that lingers and can’t be explained

Person holding a handful of fish oil capsules after pouring them from a pill bottle.
Fish Oil Pills Aren’t Doing What You Think They’re Doing

OTC options are unhelpful at best, while some prescriptions can raise your arrhythmia risk

Physician checks the heartbeat of patient.
When Your Heart Skips a Beat: What’s Happening and Should You Worry?

A skipped heartbeat is usually your heart returning to its normal electrical path

person holding hands to upper chest
How To Tell the Difference Between a Heart Attack and a Panic Attack

To help determine what you’re experiencing, focus on how the pain feels, the location of the pain, when it started and how long it lasts

Resources

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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy