A medication considered the standard for preventing stroke in heart arrhythmia patients may not be as effective as an anti-clotting drug that also boasts fewer side effects.

Irregular heartbeat isn't usually life-threatening. It is relatively easy to manage. However, those with the disorder may be at a heightened risk for developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.

Last month the PALLAS trial revealed adverse cardiovascular risks in taking dronedarone (Multaq) for irregular heart beat. Now the European Society of Cardiology is suggesting its use be limited.

Just recently heart pacemakers went wireless. Now there is potential to take them even a step further. In the future they could be light-controlled.

An irregular heart beat could be caused by a wide range of factors -- from scarring after a heart attack to diabetes and high blood pressure. New research also suggests a genetic link.

Scientists have found a way to end life-threatening heart arrhythmia without damaging tissue and with less pain. The condition was usually treated with defibrillation, a treatment that not only damages heart tissue but causes significant pain. The new method would cut the energy used by defibrillation by 84 percent.  If you have atrial fibrillation, ensure your cardiologist is aware of the LEAP device. Robert Gilmour, study co-author and a professor of physiology at Cornell University, said a traditional defibrillator stimulates all of the heart's cells at the same time. For a br...

Pacemaker patients have generally been unable to get an MRI because the magnetic fields can disrupt the device's operation, putting patients at risk for a heart attack. A newly designed pacemaker allows patients to safely receive an MRI.

Using over the counter medications can be confusing. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ), for example, are great for treating pain and inflammation, but are linked to an increased risk of other problems.

Cigarette smokers may be ready to kick their habit, but a popular smoking cessation drug may only add health risks. A new study indicates that Chantix (varenicline) may come with a heightened risk of serious heart problems.

Atrial fibrillation can be difficult to treat because medications can stop working. But researchers have developed a new hybrid procedure they believe can better help patients. Though rarely deadly, atrial fibrillation can cause difficult symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue.