U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials are taking a second look at blood thinning drug Pradaxa ( dabigatran etexilate mesylate ) after reports of serious, potentially fatal, bleeding.

Women may be able to lower their risk of stroke just by changing what they eat -- even if they have a history of heart disease. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which are high in antioxidants, appear to offer positive heart benefits.

Silent stroke may be the most common form of brain injury in children with sickle cell anemia, a rare, painful blood disorder. Recently, researchers have been able to pinpoint the risk factors for such strokes in children.

Physical or sexual abuse can leave lingering emotional scars on young girls. Such abuse also may affect them physically -- increasing their risk for heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes, once they become adults.

For years, the health care community has agreed that people at risk of heart disease should lower their salt intake. Now, it seems that too little salt may be just as harmful as too much salt.

High salt consumption has long been associated with heart disease including hypertension, stroke and heart attack. Low levels of sodium also may negatively impact cardiovascular health.

Some individuals may be at a higher risk of stroke simply by nature of their blood type. Those with blood type AB may be at an increased risk of stroke regardless of other factors.

A drug that aids patients with intermittent atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia, increased the risk of death among patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. As a result the study was halted early.

An experimental drug designed to aid severely ill patients after hospitalization is not more effective than standard treatments for reducing the risk of blood clots, a study has confirmed.

After a mini stroke, the main concern is usually the risk of an ischemic stroke. New research suggests such an event may also reduce your life expectancy by 20 percent.