Pulmonary embolus - a blood clot that becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery - is a very common and very serious problem.  Up to 30% of people who have pulmonary embolus will die unless they receive treatment.

Read about pulmonary embolus - its causes, its symptoms, and its treatment - here.

Everyone knows that smoking accelerates atherosclerosis, and makes heart attacks more likely over time.

But did you know that the cigarette you smoke today could cause a heart attack TODAY?  Or that if you quit smoking today, your risk of a heart attack is substantially reduced by tomorrow?

That very next stick you light up could do you in.  Read about it here.

The "routine" use of stents for coronary artery disease (CAD) was challenged in the COURAGE trial, reported in 2007. The COURAGE trial should have made all cardiologists re-evaluate when, and in which patients, they use stenting. However, recent evidence strongly suggests that stenting of stable CAD is still "business as usual."

If you have CAD, you should be aware of the COURAGE trial and its implications.

Read about the COURAGE trial, and when stents ought to be used for stable CAD, here.

Several studies conducted over the years have shown that eating an ounce of nuts four or five times a week can significantly reduce your risk of coronary artery disease, by as much as 40%. In fact, by 2003, the accumulated data was sufficient to move the the FDA to issue a formal statement saying that eating certain specific nuts --- almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and peanuts -- can reduce the risk of heart disease.

When adding nuts to your diet, however, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid the "tragic downside" of nuts for heart health. You can read all about nuts for heart health here.