Today's Featured Video
Atrial Fibrillation Event
Learn about atrial fibrillation’s signs and symptoms and the latest treatment options from expert Stanford physicians. Join us!
Saturday, March 30
9:30AM - 11:00AM
Sheraton Palo Alto (Reception Room)
625 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Women often experience different symptoms of heart disease than men, so it is important that heart evaluations and treatments are specifically tailored for women. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Wear red today to support "Go Red for Women" and share our Women's Heart Health video featured below with a woman you care about.
Chronic stress can cause a host of emotional, psychological and physical problems which can increase the chances of developing heart disease. Making an effort to reduce stress will have a great impact on your heart health. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Give meditation a try. Meditation has been practiced around the world for thousands of years and is great for stress reduction and alleviating pain. Check out our Mindfulness Meditation Course or numerous other resources available online.
Antioxidants are natural substances that exist as vitamins, minerals and other compounds in foods, and are believed to help prevent heart disease by fighting free radicals. An abundance of free radicals causes cellular damage which leads to the development of cardiovascular disease. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Start eating more foods rich in antioxidants today. There are many foods that are antioxidant rich such as blueberries, cranberries, beans, artichoke hearts, pecans and walnuts, and even spices such as cinnamon and oregano.
We all find it difficult to take good care of our heart health, even physicians. In the featured video below, meet Dr. Paul Wang, a Stanford cardiologist, who shares with us how he takes care of his heart. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Take a 30 minute walk today. Regular physical activity is essential for a healthy heart and you don't have to be a pro-athlete to reap the rewards. It's never too late to start!
Meet Marvin Burkett in today's featured video. Burkett began experiencing symptoms of atrial fibrillation over 20 years ago, but during that time the only treatment available was open heart surgery. Today, new, minimally-invasive techniques are an option. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Attend our free community event this Saturday with Stanford's experts to educate yourslef about the signs of atrial fibrillation. An estimated 2.5 million Americans have atrial fibrillation, but many ignore their symptoms.
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation began as a treatment for patients who were waiting on a heart transplant. But LVAD patients have been doing so well - and their quality of life has improved so greatly - some have asked to be removed from the heart transplant list. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Make a plan to get 30 minutes of activity every day for the rest of the month. Being physically active is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Find a friend who can help you stay committed to your activity plan all month long.
Laughing can be a great workout for your heart. Whenever you laugh, the blood flow in your heart is increased for up to 45 minutes, which in turn improves your heart health. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Today's challenge is to laugh more. Rent a comedy this evening, watch a stand up special, or simply spend some time with your friends or family sharing a funny story or telling a joke. Laughter is good for you and your heart!
Even long time smokers can benefit from stubbing out their cigarettes. Within three years of quitting, the risk of heart attack for former smokers is the same as it is for lifetime non-smokers. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Make a plan to quit. Quitting smoking is a big challenge, but it's worth all of the rewards your body will reap. Stanford Hospital offers a free smoking cessation program to its patients. If you're not a patient, find a program located near you or online. You won't regret it!
Chronic stress can cause a host of emotional, psychological and physical problems which can increase the chances of developing heart disease. Making an effort to reduce stress will have a great impact on your heart health. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Try a yoga class. Yoga is a form of exercise that helps to relieve tension from many parts of the body as well as the mind. Practicing yoga regularly can help immensely with stress reduction.
The American Heart Association says that "at the heart of health is good nutrition." Making smarter choices when it comes to your diet doesn't have to be difficult. Check out these tips for heart smart shopping and healthy cooking. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Check out some easy and delicious recipes for good heart health on The Heart Truth's pinterest recipe board and try out a new heart healthy recipe this week. Include more leafy greens in your diet, increase fiber, and reduce fat.
We all find it difficult to take good care of our heart health, even physicians. In today's featured video meet Dr. Sandra Tsai, a Stanford cardiologist, who shares with us how she takes care of her heart. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Find one day this week to go for a hike. You don't have to climb Everest to gain the benefits of hiking. Challenge yourself, but be able to maintain a conversation comfortably while you walk.
Gary Verwer was diagnosed with a heart condition that required open heart surgical valve replacement, but he was considered inoperable due to a surgery years earlier. TAVR, a new, less invasive approach, gave him the care he needed. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Learn more about the symptoms of heart failure. Signs of a weakened heart include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath.
Nobody knows exactly what causes an abdominal aortic aneurysm (also called triple A), but a rupture could lead to death. Men over the age of 65 with a history of smoking are most at risk for triple A. Check out today's featured video for more information. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Share these exercise tips for older Americans with an older adult in your life. Getting consistent exercise is important at every age and it's never too late to start. If you're an older adult, getting stronger and more physically fit means greater independence and greater heart health.
In addition to having antioxidant qualities, chocolate and cocoa also contain flavanoids, which may help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and make blood platelets less sticky or able to clot. Remember that a little goes a long way. Chocolate is only an occaisional treat in a diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Happy Valentine's Day! Treat yourself to an ounce of dark chocolate while you enjoy the holiday. Want a completely guilt-free treat? Apple slices, cranberries and some freshly brewed tea all include a healthy dose of flavanoids!
Did you know that taking care of your teeth can have a dramatic impact on heart health? If you develop gum disease, your chance of having a heart attack or a stroke increases by 50%. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
If you haven't seen a dentist in more than six months, make an appointment today! Gum disease is no fun, especially when it can have such a significant impact on your heart health.
Chronic stress can cause a host of emotional, psychological and physical problems which can increase the chances of developing heart disease. Making an effort to reduce stress will have a great impact on your heart health. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Try a professional massage today. Massage has been found to help reduce stress, alleviate pain, control blood pressure, release muscle tension, and promote rest and relaxation. At Stanford Hospital massage therapists are available to patients, guests and employees.
We all enjoy eating out, but eating at restaurants often means you have less control over your diet. If you eat out regularly you may be jeopardizing your heart health by consuming more fats and larger portion sizes than if you were to cook at home. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Check out the tips provided in GoRed's guide to eating heart healthy at fast food restaurants. You don't have to sacrifice your heart health when eating out or if you're eating on the go - success is all about making better choices.
We all find it difficult to take good care of our heart health, even physicians. In today's featured video meet Dr. Dip Banerjee, a Stanford cardiologist, who shares with us how he takes care of his heart. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Drive less and move more. Choose one activity this week that you typically drive to, and walk or ride your bike instead. You can fit more activity into your day by integrating it into your everyday errands. You'll be making your heart healthier and saving money too.
Sometimes the traditional diagnostic tools just aren't enough to identify a problem. Reyna Robles had a normal EKG and angiogram but was still feeling pain and discomfort in her chest. Further diagnosis at Stanford Women's Heart Center found the problem and offered a solution. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Take the American Heart Association's Heart CheckUp to find out your risk for heart disease. Knowing your risk factors can be lifesaving. Keep a record of your blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.
Familial Hypercholesterolimia (FH) is a genetically inherited cardiovascular disease, where the body cannot rid the blood of high levels of cholesterol. In today's featured video, Dr. Joshua Knowles discusses FH. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Check out these heart healthy exercises for busy people. One of the most difficult parts of getting enough exercise is finding the time. But being busy can't be an excuse for sacrificing your heart health.
While there’s no clear evidence that red wine is good for your heart health, there do appear to be certain substances in red wine that may have heart-healthy benefits. But you shouldn’t have to consume an alcoholic beverage to get heart healthy. Check out today’s challenge for treat options without the alcohol. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Challenge yourself tonight by foregoing the wine, and treat yourself to a bowl of red grapes, a handful of peanuts, or some fresh berries – all of which carry a healthy dose of resveratrol, the same heart-healthy substance found in red wine.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopahty (HCM) is a genetically inherited disease of the heart muscle, affecting 1 in 500 people in the United States. In today's featured video, Dr. Euan Ashley discusses HCM. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
If you have young athletes in your family be sure to talk to them about HCM. Sometimes high performance athletes can have slightly thickened heart muscle that looks very much like that present in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) .
Chronic stress can cause a host of emotional, psychological and physical problems which can increase the chances of developing heart disease. Making an effort to reduce stress will have a great impact on your heart health. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Check out the American Heart Association's guide to daily stress reduction or browse through their entire stress management toolkit for more ideas. You can be in control and reduce your stress levels by making a plan.
Eating smart doesn't have to be difficult and it can definitely be delicious! For heart patients, food is one of the few things you can control during your treatment. It can also be a powerful tool if you are healthy and focused on prevention. Eat smart for a healthier heart! Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Check out the extensive list of recipes compiled by Stanford's registered dietitians that you can use year-round as inspiration for a healthier diet. Be sure to check out the section on Making Vegetables Taste Good or the Juicing Recipes section for ideas on integrating more fruits and veggies into your diet.
We all find it difficult to take good care of our heart health, even physicians. In today's featured video meet Dr. Euan Ashley, a Stanford cardiologist, who shares with us how he takes care of his heart. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Coordinate a game of basketball or soccer with your buddies, or gather a group of friends to go on a run with this weekend. Exercise doesn't have to mean going to the gym. You can make exercise fun by choosing activities that you can do with a group of friends or colleagues.
In today's featured video, meet Donna Jackson. When Jackson's heart was failing, she chose the Left Ventricular Assist Device, a mechanical pump that keeps her heart beating. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
You can still live well with a diagnosis of heart failure. Watch and share this community talk given by cardiologist Dipanjan Banerjee, MD, for his advice about how to live well despite being diagnosed with the condition.
Vascular disease is the leading cause of stroke and can affect anyone. In today's featured video, cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist, Nicholas Leeper, MD, discusses the risk factors, symptoms and treatment options of vascular disease.Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Follow this simple guide to help get the proper amount of exercise you need each week. You already know that being physically active on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do for your heart. So, get active and stay active!
Getting the proper amount of sleep is just as important for your heart health as proper diet and exercise. Unhealthy sleep and sleep deprivation have been linked to heart disease, depression, obesity and lower life expectancy. Featured Video »
Today's Challenge
Treat yourself to a good night's sleep! If you're having difficulties falling or staying asleep at night, or are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, be sure to see a sleep specialist. Getting the proper amount of sleep can significantly reduce your risk for developing heart disease.