CARDIOLOGY

Severe pressure, squeezing, pain, or discomfort in the chest. Pain or discomfort that spreads into the shoulders, neck, arms, or jaw; chest pain; difficulty swallowing; low blood pressure.

Congestive heart failure happens when the heart muscle fails to supply enough blood flow to vital organs. Factors that can cause heart failure include coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, aging, alcohol abuse, viral infections, heart valve disorders, and thyroid disorders.

Many people are unaware of the effects sleep disorders can have on the cardiovascular system. Sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep-disordered breathing. It can occur when the upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, thus reducing or completely stopping airflow.

Obesity, smoking, uncontrolled high blood pressure/cholesterol/diabetes, lifestyle, and family history of heart disease.

Many different factors determine the answer to this. These factors include:

• If you are taking it for a blood clot, atrial fibrillation, or an artificial valve
• If you have a blood disorder
• If you are tolerating the blood thinner

Yes, if you are placed on an anticoagulant drug, a cardiologist is able to check your INR. We can provide in-office INR finger sticks.

Many of the risk factors described previously determine when you should get evaluated by a cardiologist. Age 40-50 is a good timeframe to establish a baseline. Earlier, if you start to experience any of these symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations (fluttering/pounding of the heart), and passing out.

A heart-healthy diet and exercise are always suggested, but if you have any cardiac history, it would be recommended to be evaluated by a cardiologist before undertaking an exercise program.

Varicose veins are a progressive disease called venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency develops when the valves in the veins are not closing properly, causing the blood flow to return to the foot. A special ultrasound called a reflux study will be used to determine the severity of the disease. This condition can cause varicose veins, skin discoloration, swelling, and possible ulceration of the legs.

Your cardiologist can prescribe medications that can assist in lowering or raising your blood pressure. There are lifestyle changes, such as decreasing salt intake, that can improve blood pressure. Consult your cardiologist to determine what is best for you.

Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the nervous system, making people more alert. It is known to increase heart contractions and increase blood pressure in some patients. Caffeine can be the cause of rapid or irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure in certain patients. This may lead to palpitations and possible weakening of the heart muscle due to making your heart overwork. Caffeine can hurt your heart if overused.

Your cardiologist does consider immediate family history of heart disease when doing an evaluation. Having a family history of myocardial infarction, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes is important in determining your cardiac care.

Patients who have diabetes have an increased chance of developing heart disease and are prone to myocardial infarction and/or stroke. It is good to consult your cardiologist to determine the risk factors associated with diabetes.

A patient with congestive heart failure should always be cautious about fluid intake. A personalized fluid restriction regimen can be recommended by your cardiologist.

Palpitations are a sensation of fast or irregular heartbeats. This can be something as benign as premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or something more serious, such as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Back pain can be a result of musculoskeletal pain as well as cardiac pain. All pain should be addressed. Depending on your history and risk factors, a cardiology work-up may be needed.

Many things can cause this feeling, from gas pains to myocardial infarction. If you are experiencing these symptoms, please contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. From there, you may follow up with a cardiologist.

Venous insufficiency could be the culprit to restless leg feelings. Other symptoms include leg swelling, itching, varicose veins, spider veins, open ulcers, and leg heaviness/pain.

If you are experiencing dizziness with position change, this could be a result of low blood pressure. Seeing a cardiologist can determine if medication changes are needed to prevent this feeling.

Yes. Ulcerations to the leg could be a result of venous insufficiency and can be treated with vein ablations. This will reroute the blood from the incompetent vein to healthier veins in the legs.

A heart-healthy diet and exercise are always recommended for lowering cholesterol levels. Some people may also require medication to lower cholesterol levels.

This could be a result of poor blood circulation to the feet. This can be determined by an arterial ultrasound. Other factors may not be cardiac-related, such as diabetic neuropathy.

This can be multifactorial depending on the patient. If a patient can change their lifestyle and their blood pressure responds appropriately, then the medications may be altered or discontinued. Following up with a cardiologist is recommended.

Ejection fraction, also known as EF, is the amount of blood leaving your heart when it contracts. It is calculated as a percentage, with 55% being normal.

A cardiac clearance is something you may need if you are going to undergo surgery. Depending on the type of surgery and the surgeon, they may require additional testing such as EKG, echocardiogram, and/or nuclear stress test as well as an evaluation from a cardiologist to clear someone for surgery. It’s important to determine if your heart is healthy enough to sustain you through surgery.

Every person with atrial fibrillation experiences different symptoms, but some symptoms include rapid/irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

An EKG (also known as an electrocardiogram or ECG) shows the electrical pattern of your heart. It can give insight into the electrical signals of your heart and if you possibly have had, or are currently having, a myocardial infarction. Certain EKG changes could indicate a blockage in your heart. This would warrant further testing, such as a nuclear stress test.