What Is Acute Coronary Syndrome? Acute coronary syndrome is essentially the name given to a heart attack or an impending heart attack caused by critically impaired blood supply to the heart, usually through blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood. Lets get a little more detailed. Acute…
Heart Pain – FAQ’s Answered By A Cardiologist
What is Heart Pain? Heart pain is a term commonly used to describe symptoms that result from compromised blood supply to the heart. Many know this as a type of chest pain, the medical term for heart pain is angina. The most classic heart pain is a pressure like sensation over the chest that may…
Transcatheter Mitral Valve In Ring Procedure – TMVIR
What Is a Transcatheter Mitral Valve In Ring (TMVIR) Procedure? A transcatheter mitral valve in ring procedure, also known as TMVIR, is when a transcatheter valve is placed in to an existing surgically implanted mitral ring to treat a failing mitral valve repair. The TMVIR procedure is used to treat either a leaky or tight…
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…
HEART FUNCTION INCLUDING EJECTION FRACTION ( EF )
Heart function including ejection fraction (EF) is important in clinical practice because it is related to prognosis. Whether the patient suffers from valvular heart disease or ischemic heart disease, a measure of heart function including ejection fraction (EF) can predict future clinical outcome and assist in risk stratification. Several approaches to detect patients at…
Echocardiogram vs. EKG – Explained By A Cardiologist
Echocardiogram vs. EKG – What Are They? When considering echocardiogram vs. EKG its important to have a basic understanding of both tests. Both the echocardiogram and EKG are very important and are commonly used heart tests that are instrumental in diagnosing various forms of heart disease. The echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart that…
Sauna Benefits – Is It Good For Your Heart Health?
Sauna Benefits for Heart Health – Introduction Saunas have been used for centuries and are thought to have many health benefits. In some countries, particularly Scandinavian countries, saunas use is considered a way of life. When it comes to discussing sauna benefits, its important to realize there are different types of sauna. Steam saunas, dry…
What is the best coronary stent for our patients?
Whenever we start a clinical trial to test a new coronary stent we always ask ourself; “what is the best stent for our patients”? Coronary artery disease is a progressive pathological condition that results from atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. As atherosclerosis progresses from damage of the inner layer of the artery, fat or…
Heart Monitors – What every patient needs to know
My job as a cardiologist is to help make a diagnosis when symptoms arise. Once a diagnosis is made, patients can be offered therapy to help with symptoms. Patients experiencing any cardiac symptoms should consult a physician. One of the most common symptoms patients complain of is palpitations. Palpitations are any symptoms of extra hard…
Can heart attack damage be reversed?
One of the most frequent questions our patients ask after surviving a heart attack is: Can heart attack damage be reversed? Every year, over 700,000 Americans have a heart attack. Improvements in the treatment of myocardial infarction, especially with the reopening of the culprit artery with percutaneous coronary intervention, have led to a large number…
