Believe it or not Italy is the only country in the world that requires all professional athletes to undergo heart testing, and as a result the number of sudden fatal heart attacks has dropped dramatically. It's widely known that seemingly small and most likely otherwise unknown heart problems (like an irregular heartbeat) are greatly exaggerated and can be fatal for many athletes due to the strain they put on their systems. And without screenings the majority of people don't have a clue they're in danger until it's too late.

More American sports organizations should jump on that bandwagon (and many are) and start requiring screenings or, at the very least, athletes themselves should initiate testing.

Fish is accumulating quite the list of health benefits (although always be cautious of mercury levels) and now we can add a reduced risk of the dangerous irregular heart rhythm disorder: atrial fibrillation. 2+ million Americans suffer from atrial fib each year, which causes symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and an increased risk for blood clots and stroke. Eating broiled or baked fish (as opposed to fried) at least a few times a week is the key to seeing this benefit, and experts credit Omega-3 fatty acids for the heart-healthy effects. If fish isn't your thing you may get similar benefits from eating other foods that are high in Omega-3's such as walnuts, flaxseed, and many green leafy veggies.

Patients with implanted defibrillators may be better served to have them reprogrammed. In many situations where the internal devices are currently set to deliver shocks, research shows that giving a stream of electric pulses instead (much like a pacemaker) would be more effective. In addition, setting the defibrillators to deliver shocks less frequently by ignoring some types of heartbeat irregularities also appears to be beneficial. Basically, defribillators are a good idea and do save lives, but may be doing it in an "unnecessarily harsh way."

Unnecessarily harsh? Who needs that!

Of course drinking in large amounts is not good for your body -- it's not good for your liver, your brain, and your heart to name a few. But research is confirming previous fears that drinking is not only bad for your heart, but it's damaging in more ways than even previously thought.

A recent study showed that people who drink heavily are at a much greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation, or abnormal heart rhythm. Previous studies have linked high alcohol consumption with increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and death, so this is just one more reason in a list of many not to over-indulge. Beware the summer barbecues!

Heart arrhythmia is on the rise, with more sufferers than previously thought. Researchers found the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), or irregular beating in the upper chamber of the heart, rose in Minnesota residents 12 percent from 1980 to 2000. They estimate that at this rate, 16 million U.S. residents will suffer from AF in the year 2050. The American Heart Association is worried by these statistics, which are three times higher than previously estimated.

AF increases the incidence of heart failure and stroke. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes and valvular disease, as well as obesity. The statistical rise in obesity in the U.S. has mirrored the rise in AF, accounting for 60 percent of new cases. If you suffer from any of these risk factors, it is important to get checked for AF. Many AF patients do not experience any common warning signs, so the disease can easily go undetected.

A genetic mutation occurring in the womb has been found to cause atrial fibrillation (AF), by researchers at the Ottawa Heart Institute. AF, or irregular heart fluttering, is the most common kind of abnormal heart rhythm. When the heart beats abnormally, blood that doesn't totally pump out of the hearts chambers can pool and clot, raising the risk of stroke. The gene responsible for AF produces a protein found specifically in atrial heart tissue. When geneticists removed the particular protein in lab mice, they developed an abnormal heartbeat. Research alludes to the in-utero genetic mutation as linked to smoking in women, pre-pregnancy or during, as well as chronic exposure to air pollution.