Percutaneous coronary intervention—or PCI—and Protected PCI™ are nonsurgical procedures for people with blocked coronary arteries. The purpose of both procedures is to open up narrowed arteries and improve blood flow to the heart. PCI is recommended for people who otherwise have a healthy heart. Protected PCI is recommended for patients with stable blood flow and […]
Ms. Hernandez was nervous and stressed because she had an important presentation at work. In the middle of her presentation she stopped talking, stared at her coworkers, lost her balance, and the right side of her face drooped. One of her coworkers recognized the symptoms of stroke and called 911. An ambulance came and took […]
Mr. Blum, a 78-year-old man with a history of heart disease couldn’t walk very far without feeling short of breath. He scheduled an appointment with his cardiologist. His cardiologist checked his heart function, in particular his aortic valve, which had been replaced before. The cardiologist thought Mr. Blum might be having symptoms indicating his heart […]
What’s the connection between your teeth and heart disease? Inflammation. Let’s explain. Dental health is often thought of as separate from the rest of the body: you see a dentist for your mouth and a doctor for everything else. However, a consensus report concludes that what goes on in our mouths can have a profound […]
Before and after PCI and surgery there are procedures that doctors follow. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society is studying ways to help people recover more quickly. A study reported by CommonHealth indicated that doctors whose patients follow the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guidelines have a 90% decrease in heart-related complications and 66% fewer infections […]
An echocardiogram (echo or ECG) is “the most cost-effective, safe and portable tool for cardiac diagnosis” according to Sharon Mulvagh’s recent article in Cardiovascular Business. Cardiologists also use echos to check heart function. Echo uses sound waves to make pictures of your beating heart—the atria, ventricles, valves, aorta, arteries, and veins attached to your heart. […]
After Mr. Burd was diagnosed with heart disease, his cardiologist recommended all family members learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. Mr. Burd’s family had heard of CPR, but they were not sure what it was. Here’s some helpful information: What does CPR do? When the heart stops beating, blood does not flow around the body. This […]
Mr. King was having a regular day at work. He had just walked up several flights of stairs to a meeting. He noticed he was more out of breath than usual, but thought it was due to his lack of recent exercise. When he got to the meeting room he noticed he was sweating profusely, […]
The doctor is watching Ms. Lin’s blood pressure. She wants to understand what blood pressure is and why it’s so important. Let’s explain: The heart is a pump that provides the force needed to move blood around your entire body and return it back to the heart. Blood moves around your body through a series […]
Mr. Martin noticed he tired easily going up the steps to his apartment and often felt tightness in his chest. His family urged him to see his doctor, and his doctor arranged for a stress test. Mr. Martin wants to know more about the stress test—specifically what is it, and what does it tell the […]