A new study suggests that patients with a common heart arrhythmia could be best treated with cardiac ablation -- a procedure that destroys heart tissue responsible for the heart rhythm disorder -- over drugs.

Women with a common abnormal heartbeat condition called atrial fibrillation are at a greater risk of stroke even if they take anticoagulants to lower their risk. This was especially true for women over the age of 75.

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel has voted 7-1 to back Cameron Health's new type of implantable heart defibrillator. It is the first defibrillator that does not require implanting an electrode near the heart.

Patients with implanted heart devices know getting diagnostic imaging can be tricky and even dangerous. Researchers have found a way to reprogram the devices, allowing patients to safely receive certain MRI scans.

Scientists have long had a general understanding of the cardiac conduction system, the complex electrical system in charge of muscle contractions within the heart.

Patients with certain types of atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia, are at a high risk of stroke and blood clots if they temporarily stop their blood thinning medication before surgery or permanently because of side effects.

Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs taken pre-operatively appear to be key to reducing complications and shortening a patient's hospital stay following heart surgery.

Joint pain is not the only thing rheumatoid arthritis patients have to deal with. The disease is linked to a number of other problems, including heart attack and heart failure.

For patients with life-threatening heart arrhythmias, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ( ICD ) may be a necessity. New software designed to detect potential problems with the devices sooner could make them safer.

An investigational device may help prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke.