SecondsCount.org

Our Mission

The world’s leading heart doctors created SecondsCount.org to give you the most complete, unbiased, accurate, and up-to-date information available on heart and vascular disease. From the most basic questions about your cardiovascular health to the latest news on diagnosis, treatment and prevention, SecondsCount.org has the answers you need to make the best decisions for your cardiovascular health.



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  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    Can being struck by lightning cause a heart attack?

    Cardiac arrest - a condition in which your heart stops beating - is the primary cause of death in people who are hit by lightning. However, your individual risk of a fatal lightning strike is very, very low. According to the National Weather Service, from 2001 to 2010, an estimated 40 deaths per...Read More
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  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    What should I ask my doctor about an intracardiac echocardiography?

    The following questions can help you talk to your physician about having intracardiac echocardiography (ICE).
    • What can intracardiac echocardiography tell us about my heart?
    • What are the possible benefits for me of ICE?
    • What are my individual risks associated with having an ICE test?
    • What
    ...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    What are the symptoms of endocarditis?

    Endocarditis, or infective endocarditis, is a condition that occurs when the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium) or the heart’s valves become infected by bacteria or other germs. Endocarditis is typically caused by bacteria that spread through the bloodstream from the mouth, from infected foreign...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    Do I have to sweat for exercise to count?

    The idea that you have to sweat to benefit from exercise is a fitness myth. Moving your body and raising your heart rate relative to your fitness level are the most important parts of physical activity. The main purpose of sweating is to cool your body down. You may sweat when you are active. 
    But if you are getting...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    What are some tips for structuring exercise to vary body movements?

    If you are striving to manage or prevent cardiovascular disease or another condition - or if you are healthy and trying to stay that way - keeping boredom at bay in exercise routines is key to staying on track with physical fitness goals. Expanding your physical activity to include different types of...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    What is pericarditis?

    Pericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like tissue that surrounds the heart (called the pericardium) becomes inflamed, swollen or irritated. The amount of fluid that surrounds the heart within the pericardial sac can increase and cause a condition called a pericardial effusion.
    An electrocardiogram...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    Where can I seek help for managing stress related to my heart problem?

    A heart attack or diagnosis of heart disease is a stressful life event. Over the long term, your body’s stress response can actually contribute to heart disease, so managing stress is an important part of maintaining your heart health.
    It never hurts to seek help to manage your stress. Stress can be...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    How can lifestyle changes help me manage stress?

    There are many ways to combat stress. The same measures that are good for managing stress are also good for your heart health. Start by maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, including appropriate exercise and diet.
    Physical activity is often recommended to manage stress. That’s because it helps...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    Is optimism good for my heart?

    Optimism may in fact be good for your heart. A positive outlook appears to offer some protection against heart disease. A promising recent study showed that people with heart disease who had optimistic expectations about their recovery (despite how severe their illness was) were less likely to die over...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    How can I manage my anger?

    Everybody gets angry sometimes. But anger has hidden health effects, including increasing your heart disease risk. So, if you can’t avoid getting angry in the first place, the next best thing is dealing with it as calmly, directly and quickly as you can. Try these steps to manage your anger:
    ...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    How is a platelet function test performed?

    A platelet function test is like any other blood test. Having blood drawn typically only takes a few minutes. You will be asked to roll up your shirt sleeve (if necessary) and the medical professional who will be drawing the blood will swab the area where the needle will be inserted with an alcohol...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    What are some ways I can avoid stressors?

    Stressors are anything that trigger your body’s stress response. Modern life contains plenty of daily stressors, which means that you need to be ready with strategies for avoiding stress when possible. Unmanaged stress contributes to a range of health problems, including heart disease. 
    These tips...Read More
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  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    What are some tips for reducing sedentary behaviors to get more exercise?

    You have heard it before, but heart health really does require that you eat right and exercise. The good news is that with exercise, even small changes count, and they build upon one another.
    You can start by reducing sedentary behaviors. Anything that requires that you sit still for a prolonged...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    Should I be screened for depression because of my heart problem?

    Depression is a common response to a diagnosis of heart disease. It is also a risk factor for heart disease. Up to 15 percent of people with heart disease experience major depression, whereas about 20 percent of people who have had a heart attack or coronary artery bypass surgery experience major...Read More
  • SecondsCount.org
    SecondsCount.org answered:

    How does depression affect my heart?

    Depression is linked both to development of heart disease and worsening of heart disease in people who have already been diagnosed with it. About 20 percent of people who have had a heart attack or coronary artery bypass surgery experience major depression. Managing that depression is a key part...Read More