Q
: 1
03/19/2010 |
Recently I had an ECG. It showed primary T wave abnormality. What does this mean and how will it effect the heart?
T wave abnormalities may be a benign finding but may also represent more serious conditions. Therefore, you should discuss with your physician whether additional testing such as a heart ultrasound should be performed.
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Q
: 2
03/09/2010 |
Why hasn't LDL-P or ApoB become the new standards in treating cardiovascular risk? There seems to be an overwhelming amount of evidence to show that both outperform LDL-C in identifying patients at risk.
This is primarily because results of major clinical outcome trials have prespecified LDL as the main lipid measurement to judge effects of therapy on heart disease risk. In other words, LDL has been the measurement of choice, reflecting in part its long storied history. In addition, while LDL-P or ApoB may outform LDL-C in identifying risk, we still don't know whether these measurements provide incremental information above and beyond LDL-C in terms of clinical outcome benefit. Until such studies are performed, neither is likely to supplant the "gold standard".
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Q
: 3
03/05/2010 |
What could make blood pressure go from 120/70 to 150/80 in one month? Would an infection do it?
Yes, certain types of infections can raise blood pressure along with stress, weight gain and sleep deprivation (among the more common reasons).
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Q
: 4
02/27/2010 |
I recently had an EKG stress test. My doctor wants me to have a nuclear stress test done. Which is better: a nuclear stress test, an echocardiogram, or even a 3D echocardiogram?
A stress echo is preferable because there is no radiation involved.
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Q
: 5
02/25/2010 |
As a cigarette smoker, why should I not smoke cigarettes after having a stent put in place through angioplasty?
Cigarettes smoking can not only increase blood clot formation but also cause injury to the inner lining of blood vessels (endothelium). After a stent is placed the endothelium heals over months and sometimes years. Cigarette smoking may reduce this healing process and increase the risk of further heart related complications. In other words, continued cigarette smoking after a stent is the ABSOLUTE WORST thing you can do beside not taking your heart medications and improving your lifestyle.
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Q
: 6
01/27/2010 |
Can alcohol, combined with heart medicine, increase the chance of future heart related problems?
Alcohol can trigger an abnormal heart rhythm including a rapid heart rate which may trigger chest pains in a susceptible individual. Alcohol and certain heart medications may also interact.
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Q
: 7
01/16/2010 |
Is there a certain dosage of aspirin to take when you think you might be having a heart attack?
Yes, you should take an adult aspirin, which is 325 mg.
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Q
: 8
12/07/2009 |
Does aspirin help to prevent some types of cancer?
The jury is still out on this although the most convincing evidence is in preventing colorectal cancer by inhibiting growth of precancerous polyps in susceptible people.
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Q
: 9
11/23/2009 |
At what age do symptoms of heart disease begin to manifest? Is it possible to be diagnosed between the ages
of 14-18?
The development of hardening of the arteries starts during the teenage/adolescent years although the full blown effects, such as a heart attack is much less common under the age of 40 years, unless there is a history of cigarette smoking, diabetes or very high cholesterol. Therefore, symptoms of heart disease are more likely to present in middle-age. My best advice is never to start smoking (or quit now), remain physically active throughout life, eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies and keep stress levels to a minimum by laughing, listening to joyful music and not taking yourself too seriously.
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Q
: 10
11/07/2009 |
I just found out that my cholesterol level is 254! High cholesterol runs in my family, including high blood pressure. I'm not over weight, but we both know that there are a lot of unhealthy "thin" people. Are there any elementary rules for maintaining a good cholesterol level?
Without knowing the breakdown of your lipid levels (HDL, LDL, triglycerides)it is hard to know what to focus on.
Generally, foods high in soluble fiber such as oat based products are good for lowering LDL, whereas omega-3 containing products are good for triglycerides.
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Q
: 11
10/29/2009 |
My mom has just completed the angioplasty procedure. Results showed that 3 main arteries to the heart are blocked to various degrees. Her doctor proposes a heart bypass surgery. Are there other non- or mild invasive alternatives (e.g., medication or ballooning) to consider as opposed to a heart bypass?
Yes, angioplasty and stent placement in multiple vessels may be a consideration in place of heart bypass surgery but this is dependent upon several factors including the extent and severity of the blockages, size and other physical characteristics of the narrowed arteries, ability to take blood thinners, experience of the operators, etc.
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Q
: 12
10/26/2009 |
Can an old case of pericarditis (from childhood) have manifested to pulmonary hypertension or some sort of chronic pericarditis (in adulthood)?
There are long-standing complications of pericarditis that can lead to stiffening and thickening of the the pericardium and can be associated with shortness of breath and irregular heartbeats.
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Q
: 13
10/19/2009 |
Does taking HGH injections make losing weight more difficult than it normally is?
Unfortunately, we do not recommend Human Growth Hormone (HGH) injections because of the lack of data demonstrating any cardiovascular benefit. Moreover, there are potential concerns with its use, including an association with diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis.
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Q
: 14
08/06/2009 |
I heard from a friend of mine that stents are susposed to be replaced every 4 or 5 years. Is that True?
A stent helps to keep the artery open. If it closes, another stent may be inserted (older stents are generally not removed). Stents may last for many years, but it is important to quit smoking, adopt a healthy lifestyle and take medications (especially plavix [clopidogrel] and aspirin)as prescribed by your doctor. Stents should not be replaced if there is no reason to replace them.
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Q
: 15
06/02/2009 |
My dad had a quad bypass in 1996, but still has clogged arteries. His doctors have said that he cannot have any more operations or stenting to help this problem. They have said that medicine to improve his quality of life is the only option. How long can a person live with unresolved clogged arteries? Are there any tests that could help determine a prognosis?
People can live with clogged arteries for many years, depending upon how well they take care of themselves. This includes adopting a good lifestyle to keep the weight down, effectively dealing with stress, staying physically active and taking medications proven to improve heart health. There are many cardiac tests that can assist in evaluating general prognosis depending upon symptoms.
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