Some obese patients develop conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, while others manage to avoid such chronic diseases. That may be because all obesity is not the same.

Eating right and exercising are essential elements in maintaining heart health, but achieving that is sometimes difficult. Do low fat diets or foods with cholesterol lowering properties work best?

Doctors are always looking for new ways to predict heart attacks and strokes -- especially among patients with normal cholesterol levels who may not appear to be at risk.

Though cholesterol lowering statin drugs can cut stroke risk in most individuals, it's not a suitable treatment for a certain group of at-risk patients.

Gout, formerly linked with Europe's royal families, has made its way to middle America. Since 1990, U.S. cases have increased by 50 percent, making it a modern-day royal pain in the joints.

Drug maker Pfizer is contemplating an over-the-counter version of its cholesterol drug Lipitor, The Wall Street Journal has reported, citing sources familiar with the effort.

Strokes are tough to predict, much less prevent. Cholesterol lowering drugs known as statins may be effective in preventing a second stroke among younger people.

Some health conditions are considerably costlier to treat than others. When it comes to women, one of the big ones leads the pack -- heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease comes with a hefty price tag. Empowering each individual to take action preventing heart disease is a better long-term investment for health, according to a recent statement by the American Heart Association.

Not all fat is created equal, especially when it comes to men with excessive weight around the middle. Some with added belly fat may be at an increased risk of developing heart disease and other serious health problems.