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…
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?…
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…
Why Women’s Hearts are Different
Please visit our additional articles to learn more about Broken Heart Syndrome (Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy): Can You Die from a Broken Heart? Broken Heart Syndrome
UNCONTROLLED HYPERTENSION INCLUDING HYPERTENSION EMERGENCIES
Uncontrolled hypertension and hypertension emergencies are a powerful risk factor for future cardiac and non-cardiac events. Hypertension affects almost 1/3 of adults and over 1 billion people globally. Hypertension prevalence increases with aging of the population affecting over 50% of people over 60-years old. The new guidelines identified ideal blood pressure, even among the…
What is a murmur?
As a pediatric cardiologist, I often get asked, “What is a murmur?” Simply put, a murmur is only a heart sound occurring between the “lub and dub” sounds of the heart. More importantly, a murmur is not a hole or a heart defect. The bigger question to me is if there is something abnormal…
