David S. Fieno, Ph.D., M.D. Surgical Cardiologist, Entrepreneur, Professional Engineer COVID-19 has caused devastation around the world and in our communities. We have suffered through the financial burden, uncertainty, and risk of severe illness and even death due to the rapid spread of this virus. About three weeks ago, I noticed that many of the frontline…
Pure fruit juices: sugary drinks like any other?
So-called “sugary drinks” generally refer to beverages containing added sugars (sucrose, corn syrup, juice concentrates or other sweeteners) such as soft drinks, fruit punches, energy drinks or even sports drinks. These beverages are the main source of simple sugar in the diet of North Americans and a significant proportion of calories consumed daily, especially among teenagers…
Marked decline in youth smoking rates (contrary to what the headlines say)
In recent years, there has been much mention of the marked increase in the use of e-cigarettes by young people, a trend that has recently increased with the arrival of Juul. The often alarmist tone that accompanies the reports of these studies suggests that vaping currently reaches “epidemic” proportions and poses a serious threat to…
Anti-aging effect of a healthy lifestyle
According to recent studies, adopting a healthy lifestyle, i.e., eating well, exercising, managing stress, and not smoking or drinking too much alcohol, has beneficial effects on the aging of our cells. One of the well-documented phenomena that occur during cellular aging is the degradation of telomeres, unique structures found at the ends of each of…
What to Expect: Nuclear Stress Test
Nuclear Stress Test: What is it? A nuclear stress test is a minimally invasive diagnostic imaging procedure designed to evaluate the perfusion of blood through the coronary arteries to the heart muscle. Images of the heart are acquired when the heart is in a baseline resting state and again after the heart has been exercised,…
Stroke: What you need to know
What is a stroke? A stroke is a medical emergency. It is similar to a heart attack for the brain. It occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted, resulting in oxygen starvation to the brain cells which can no longer perform their task whether it is memory, vision or muscle control.…
An Increase in Cardiovascular Disease on the Horizon?
The dramatic decrease in mortality from cardiovascular disease between 1970 and 2010 is one of the greatest successes of modern medicine. In several industrialized countries (particularly North America, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand), the mortality rate fell by about 70% during this period, so that in some countries (notably Canada), cardiovascular disease is no…
My Watch Told Me to Go to the Hospital
The role technology plays in our life is rapidly evolving. The rise of wearable technology from fitness trackers to the Apple watch has been possible by the technology getting smaller and faster. Technology is becoming part of us. As these technologies are being developed and tested, there is a need for guidelines to address…
MRI Scans in Patients with Pacemaker Defibrillators
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a completely noninvasive test that uses a magnetic field and radio frequency waves to create detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels. It depicts the heart wall and valves structure and display its function. It provides information on the regional and global heart function, valves and their function…
Women and Stress Cardiomypathy or Takotsubo
Points to Remember: - Takotsubo was initially regarded as benign but can be associated with severe clinical complications including death- Most common symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath similar to a heart attack- 5 - 6% of female present with suspected STEMI- Women are frequently affected by emotional stress such as death of…
DO vs MD – What’s the Difference?
What is a Normal Heart Rate?
What is a normal heart rate? Everyone wants to know what is normal, especially when it comes to heart health. Basic questions that are often asked or searched on the internet include: How do I determine a heart rate? What is a normal heart rate or pulse rate? What is a normal resting heart rate?…
Gene Therapy for Heart Failure
The use of gene therapy for heart failure is currently being investigated. Heart failure is a major public concern which affects an estimated 1% of the Western world, including over 5 million Americans with over half a million new cases each year. The current medical treatment of heart failure includes proven beneficial medicine such as…
How long should I take my Plavix after stenting?
How long should I take my Plavix after coronary stent is a frequent and debatable question facing our field of interventional cardiology. Background Coronary artery disease is a progressive condition that is a result of atherosclerosis. From damage of the inner layer of the artery, lipid or fat accumulates in the wall and leads…
Not All Heart Attacks Are Created Equal
Not all heart attacks are created equal. The type of heart attack can influence the prognosis greatly. A heart attack can be recognized by clinical features of chest pain or shortness of breath, ECG or cardiac imaging findings and elevated biochemical markers including the cardiac troponin, the so-called “heart attack blood test”. The…
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