The widow maker heart attack, also known as "the big one", is an acute occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery that can lead to severe heart muscle damage and/or death. If not treated in a timely matter, surviving a heart attack of this magnitude is very difficult. While visiting Austin, Texas, my wife and I…
Cholesterol treatment and atherosclerosis: a new frontier
The problem with cholesterol treament and atherosclerosis: Over the last decade, cholesterol treatment and atherosclerosis has evolved significantly. Atherosclerosis is a general term for hardening and thickening of the arteries. In its most common form, atherosclerosis is a slow progressive disease that usually starts in early adulthood and becomes dangerous later in life. Atherosclerosis is a…
Treatment of High Blood Pressure: When Medicines Don’t Work
The treatment of high blood pressure can be very challenging, especially when medicines don't work. Normal blood pressure is when the systolic blood pressure is less than 120 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure is less than 80 mm Hg. Hypertension is defined as a consistent elevation of blood pressure. Blood pressure is considered elevated when…
Stem Cells in the Treatment of Heart Failure
Can stem cells help improve heart muscle in patients with congestive heart failure? The use of stem cells in the treatment of heart failure cases is currently being investigated. Cardiovascular disease is the # 1 killer in the United States accounting for one third of all deaths. Heart disease kills more people than cancer, HIV, diabetes or trauma. Many advances in…
