Heart Health Center Resource Center

Live Healthier, Live Longer About this site: This site by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute targets people who already have heart disease, but there's also plenty for those trying to prevent it. Learn what makes your cholesterol high or low and calculate the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol you should eat. (http://rover.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/index.htm)   Pluses: Tip sheets with practical info on everything from keeping your low-cholesterol diet on track at parties to choosing heart-healthy oils.   Minuses: Cholesterol and Heart Disease IQ quizzes are so easy they aren't very helpful.   Best feature: Visit the Cyber Kitchen to find out how much saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium you're actually getting from your usual serving size.

Mayo Clinic: Heart Disease Center About this site: The Heart Disease Center at MayoClinic.com is devoted almost exclusively to helping readers understand how heart disease develops and how to prevent it. Other topics include arrhythmia -- learn what you can do if you're one of the two million Americans who experiences occasional palpitations or flutters. (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/HB99999)   Pluses: The section on prevention includes a feature discussing the benefits and risks of taking nutritional supplements to combat heart disease.   Minuses: There's no news or latest findings section.   Best feature: Ask a Mayo Clinic specialist feature, video and other interactive features.

New York Online Access to Health (NOAH): Heart Disease About this site: NOAH is a project developed by New York libraries and educational institutions to make reliable health information available to underserved health consumers -- many of whom speak Spanish. The site's section on heart disease and stroke covers everything from risk factors to treatment, and is available in English. ( http://www.noah-health.org/en/blood/disease/) and Spanish.(http://www.noah-health.org/es/blood/disease/).  Pluses: There's a detailed diagram of the heart .   Minuses: Some articles culled from university sources are difficult to read.   Best feature: Switching between Spanish and English versions is as easy as clicking the "Vaya al español" button on the upper right corner of the page.

National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease About this site: Launched by a nonprofit group founded by women heart attack survivors, this site features information and articles especially for women battling heart disease. You can read journal entries, post questions on a bulletin board, and find a health-care professional. There's even a caregiver support section for friends and family members. (http://www.womenheart.org/)   Pluses: There's plenty of detailed practical advice, like where to move your medication when the grandkids visit.   Minuses: Lackluster pages without graphics make it hard to read all the stories at one sitting.   Best feature: Use "Your Journal" to describe your successes and frustrations in dealing with heart disease as a woman. You can also read other women's entries to learn from their experiences.

American Heart Association Women's Web About this site: Think only men get heart attacks? If so, this site will dispel that myth--and help you learn what risks women face for heart disease and stroke. You can also determine your personal risk with AHA's heart attack and stroke risk assessment quiz. (http://www.women.americanheart.org/)   Pluses: A forum offers a place to share heart-attack prevention habits and ideas.   Minuses: If you already have heart disease, the information here may be of little use.   Best feature: Great articles for women offer advice and information on how to protect the health of your whole family.

Heart Information Network About this site: Post-diagnosis patients will appreciate the medical news, clinic directories, nutrition advice, Q and A sheets, resource guides, and patient stories on this site. (http://www.heartinfo.org/)   Pluses: Find an expert with the Heart Failure Clinic Directory.   Minuses: Long lists of navigation options can be confusing.   Best feature: The electrocardiogram library shows you how to read your own ECG.