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Cardiologist - Prioritizing Your Health

November 16, 2010 by apexcardiology

CardiologistFor many Americans, health care may not be at the top of a priority list as we are all consumed by work, family, and errands in our daily lives. It often seems difficult to find the time to go for routine check-ups and in some cases; many don’t pay attention to health care until they feel something has gone wrong. With age, the chances of health problems increase as over time, the body takes on more stress. At around 50 years old, it is important to keep up with routine check-ups with your doctor to detect any irregularities in the body. For patients with a medical history including diabetes and high blood pressure among other things may begin more in-depth routine check-ups at a younger age. With a Cardiologist, patients are able to receive an evaluation of heart health so proactive steps can be taken if needed. Los Angeles Cardiology is prestigious with many highly-qualified cardiologists and state-of-the-art facilities. With a Heart Scan, cardiologists are able to detect any irregularities in the heart like abnormal heartbeats, clogged arteries, and any heart diseases that may exist. Heart scans should be made regularly to detect any irregularities or diseases sooner, rather than later. If a patient is experiencing any irregularities, a heart scan is also recommended by a doctor’s reference to a cardiologist.

Aside from heart scans, a Full Body Scan is also available to detect irregularities and diseases in the body. Detecting early signs of diseases with a full body scan is a preventative method to treat any diseases and to treat irregularities accordingly. Other testing such as Stress Testing, may also evaluate heart health by testing heart performance and using methods for heart imaging. Patients who engage themselves prioritizing their health care may complete an 11-second scan that may save their lives. Planning a routine check-up for things such as full body scans; reap health benefits that can be valued in the long run as any detection of disease can be treated early. With the latest technology in cardiology, medicine, and state-of-the-art medical facilities, prioritizing health care is now easier than ever.

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full Body scan - Heart disease symptoms

October 18, 2010 by apexcardiology

full body scanAll heart disease symptoms vary depending on what kind of heart disease an individual may have, in this article I will cover most of all the symptoms for every different heart disease. One should always remember that self-diagnoses is not the best diagnoses and one should always speak to a cardiologist for further results and testing via heart Scans and in other cases where the problem is harder to identify a full Body scan may be needed.

Symptoms of heart disease in your blood vessels (cardiovascular disease) is caused by narrowed, blocked or stiffened blood vessels that make it so the heart, brain or other parts of the body don’t receive enough blood. Symptoms of cardiovascular disease can include:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms

In some cases patients are diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and there symptoms worsen, when this happens one should be very careful because they are at high risk of having a heart attack, stroke, hearth failure or sudden cardiac death.

Abnormal heartbeats, The heart may beat too fast too slowly or irregularly if you have an arrhythmia the symptoms can include:

  • Fluttering in the chest
  • Racing heart beat
  • Slow heart beat
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting or near fainting

Heart defects, a defect one is born with usually becomes more evident during the first few hours or days in one’s life, the symptoms can include:

  • Pale gray or blue skin
  • Swelling in the legs, abdomen, even the eyes
  • Shortness of breath during feeding

In less serious cases hear defects may not be noticed until childhood years, these are less threatening but the symptoms can include:

  • Shortness of breath very easily
  • Easily tiring
  • Build up fluid in the heart or lungs
  • Swelling in the hands, ankles and feet

One should remember that children do not usually notice these things or do but are not highly concerned. One should always take notice and watch their children as they play and interact, and if one notices their child get tired easy or has shortness of breath or fatigue visit Los Angeles Cardiology to run some test before symptoms go any further.

Heart diease symptoms cause by thick heart muscle, in the earlier stages one may not have any symptoms at all, but as the disease progresses one may experience:
Breathless at any time, during exercise or rest

  • Swelling of the legs, ankle, and feet
  • Bloating
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting

Heart disease caused by heart infection: there are three types of heart infections pericarditis, affects the tissue around the heart. Myocarditis, affects the muscular muddle layer of the walls of the heart. Endocarditis, affects the inner membrane that separates the chambers and valves of the heart. Symptoms for every infection vary slightly but include:

  • Fever
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Swelling in your legs of abdomen
  • Changes in the heart rhythm
  • Dry or persistent cough
  • Skin rashes or unusual spots

One should take notice that most heart disease symptoms include: swelling of hands, legs, ankle and feet, shortness of breath and easily tiring. If one has already been diagnosed with heart disease and would like further scans to better identify the problem one should ask their doctor about the 64 slice CT scan.

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CT scan : What is a heart attack and what are its consequences

September 17, 2010 by apexcardiology

Knowing the basic information about how to survive a heart attack is important to people of all ages. The chances that one self or someone they love will suffer from a heart attack during their life time, and whether or not one survives the heart attach will be solely based on what he or she and the doctors does about the heart attack in the first few hours and then over the long term. The best way to prevent a heart attack is to avoid it. If one feels that they are experiencing symptoms of heart attack he or she should consult with their cardiologist who will then order a CT heart scan and if nothing is identified and the symptoms still persist then he may order a Full body scan.

A myocardial infraction commonly known as a heart attack is the most severe form of acute coronary syndrome. Cardiologist say a heart attack is generally triggered by the rupture of a plaque within a coronary artery. The rupture causes a blood clot to form and this leads to blockage of the artery. The area of the heart muscle which is supplied blood by the blocked artery begins to die. It is the death of the heart muscle that defines the heart attack.

The consequences of a heart attack depend on how much of the heart muscle dies, and which of the coronary arteries was blocked, and where in the artery did the blockage occur. Blockage near the origin of an artery will affect more heart muscle than a blockage farther down the artery. If the muscle damage is sever, he or she may develop acute heart failure during the heart attack, this is very dangerous. If the amount of heart muscle damage is less severe but still substantial one may develop heart failure later on. Therefore taking precautions to avoid heart failure after heart attack are imperative to treating a heart attack. Heart attacks also, produce hazardous heart arrhythmias. During the heart attack electrical instability may trigger ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. After this scare tissue results from the healing process may cause permanent electrical instability. Unfortunately this means sudden death from cardiac arrest is risk during heart attack and after heart attack recovery. However after heart attack recover cardiologist can run scans such as 64 Slice CT scan in order to ensure that one is out of danger although it may take time to get there.

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Coronary heart disease

August 19, 2010 by apexcardiology

full body scanCoronary heart disease also referred to as coronary artery disease is a thinning of the small blood vessels which supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Symptoms of coronary heart disease can often be very blunt, but other times can go unnoticed. These symptoms usually include:

  • Chest pain or discomfort- This pain normally occurs when the heart is not being supplied with enough oxygen or blood. Ones chest may feel heavy or like it is being pressed. The pain is generally felt beneath the breast bone but can be felt in the neck, arms, stomach, or upper back. The pain persists with activity or emotion but goes away with rest and some medications. Common symptoms are shortness of breath and fatigue with physical activity. If any of these symptoms arise be sure to see a cardiologist to better identify the problem.

Leading Los Angeles cardiologist may suggest that their patient take one or more medicines to treat blood pressure, diabetes and high or low cholesterol levels. These medication and instructions provided by the cardiologist should be followed closely in order to prevent the disease from worsening.

The most common cause of coronary heart disease is called atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty material and plaque build up on the walls of ones arteries. This causes the thinning of the small blood vessels. Coronary hear disease is the leading cause of death of death in all United States for both men and women.

Increasing risk of heart disease

Men in their forties have an increased risk of having coronary heart disease but as many women hit menopause their chances almost equal that of men in their forties. Coronary heart disease is hereditary. If someone in ones family has or had coronary heart disease before the age of fifty then ones chances of having the disease increase with age. Other common causes include Diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, smoking, chronic kidney disease, alcohol abuse, lack of exercise and excessive stressing.

Coronary heart disease is often diagnosed with CT heart scans however some cardiologist suggest that their patients have a full body scan in order to identify any problems in the body and be able to target them all with medications and treatments. The proper treatment for coronary heart disease can stop death in its tracks by preventing the disease from going any further; however the best medicine is always prevention, so be aware of symptoms and behavior that can lead to coronary heart disease.

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Test that identify heart disease

July 15, 2010 by apexcardiology

Heart disease and cancer is the number one killer in America. Symptoms of heart disease vary greatly. Women and men posses very different symptoms for heart attack, some symptoms can be those of a common cold and other symptoms can be very straight forward. Because it is so hard to tell who does and doesn’t have heart disease by only identifying symptoms there are several heart scans which can be done in order for Cardiologist to be able to identify what is going on is the persons heard and other parts of their body. Besides heart scans to identify cancers and other such illness Full body scans can be done as well. Cardiologist would rather do a heart scan in order to protect the patient from such high amounts of radiation although sometimes necessary.

  • Cardiac computed tomography
  • Echocardiogram
  • Electron beam computed tomography
  • Nuclear heart scan
  • Cardiac catheterization

Computed tomography commonly known as a ct scan CT heart scan is an imaging test that uses ct technology with or without contrast dye to visualize the heart anatomy, coronary circulation, and great vessels.

Echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It specifically pertains to the left ventricle of the heart and checks for certain abnormalities of the heart structure and valves. This procedure is noninvasive and one part of the exam can be done using the ultrasound probe on the patient’s chest. There is another part of the echo called the transesophageal echo this test is greatly useful for patients who are overweight or have very round chest. The cardiologist takes the ultrasound probe down through the patient’s esophagus. From here the cardiologist can see the back of the heart and examine.

Electron Beam computed tomography; this test is critical in the early detection of heart disease or heart attack risk before the patient ever feels symptoms. The test is usually done in radiology, where they use an electron ray to show pictures of the coronary arteries. Through this procedure it is visible if there is plaque hardening in the arteries. The test most commonly is repeated after a year.

Nuclear heart scans are extremely helpful for diagnostic purposes. Myocardial perfusion is used to look at the heart’s muscle and see if it is working properly and receiving the right amount of blood, if it is not this is generally evidence of occlusion somewhere in the artery. A second type of nuclear scan that is commonly done is done with the use of a treadmill. The nuclear stress test is done when a substance called radionuclide is injected in to the bloodstream, where it travels to the heart and makes it visible for the cardiologist to see how the heart is working under stressful conditions of exercise and if there has been previous injury. The next part of the test is done while the patient is resting.

Cardiac Catheterization uses a catheter which the doctor usually inserts into the groin and then follows the blood vessel up into the heart. This test allows the cardiologist to measure fluid pressure in the chamber of the heart and collect blood samples to analyze the oxygen and CO2 content.
These are not the only test used to measure what is happening inside and to someone’s heart, although there are few there are several other accurate test ones cardiologist will decided which is best to perform on their patient.

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Detecting Heart disease

February 18, 2010 by apexcardiology

full body scan
If you’ve never thought you were at risk for heart disease think again. 50 percent of men and 64 percent of women who died suddenly from heart disease had no previous symptoms, and every 60 seconds an American dies from a coronary event. This is why it is important to be aware of the symptoms and procedures that can be done to detect heart disease. If you’ve had previous infections, cancers or other health problems and this has made it difficult for doctors to pinpoint the source of your problem you might want to suggest a full body scan which allows a transparent view of the body and may show many different malignancies inside one’s body. Doctors then have a clear picture in order to run tests on what they have found.

Other times there isn’t a need for a full body scan because doctors can clearly see the symptoms you are dealing with, such as shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, swollen legs, feet and hands, lack of appetite, confusion and lethargy. These area all signs of heart failure and will prompt your cardiologist to perform a CT heart scan so he can have a closer look at your heart and be able to give you a full diagnosis.

Although this CT heart scan works great, Los Angeles cardiologists have enhanced their technology and are now using a 64 slice CT heart scan which works 4 to 64 times faster than the standard CT heart scan. The 64 slice CT scanner improves the precision of diagnosis and takes images faster and clearer than the standard CT scanner. If you are experience any symptoms of heart disease, have family history of heart disease, or simply want more information on the latest technology in CT heart scans, contact your local Los Angeles cardiologists and schedule an appointment today.

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Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

January 27, 2010 by apexcardiology

64 slice CT scanCoronary heart disease is the single leading cause of death among American men and women. The risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women are well documented and compelling, from medical studies and clinical trials done by cardiologist to largely preventable treatments. One of the more obtainable ways of preventing cardiovascular disease for both men and women is by exercise and to quit smoking.

Another way to treat and detect cardiovascular disease is with the use of full body scan machines. These machines have been further enhanced as technology all around us enhances as well.

One of the more notable modern full body scan machines is the Phillips 64 slice CT scan. This medical machine is not just a newer version in medical technology, but a machine that turns the inside of the body nearly into art. The technology of the 64 slice CT scanner is particularly suited for studying the functions of the beating heart. The new CT scan medical machine can provide high resolution images without the need of surgery.

For experienced Los Angeles cardiologist the use of the advanced 64 slice CT scanner has further propelled their practice in order to better diagnose and for better treatment of cardiovascular disease in both women and men. The scanner features four times more detectors then a typical CT scanner and can deliver high quality 3-D images of any organ in the body, including the heart and blood vessels.

If you no longer have the option of preventing cardiovascular disease and need treatment from a specialist, modern technology in the hands of an experienced cardiologist will do all in their power to provide the best possible medical care. Talk to your doctor about the options you have to treat your cardiovascular disease or talk to a specialist if you need a second opinion.

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11 Second Scan can Save Your Life | Cardio Health

December 24, 2009 by apexcardiology

full body scanA full body scan can be performed in just under a minute but the results it provides can mean the difference between a healthy life or surgery. Computed tomography, commonly known as a CT scan, is a heart-imaging test that uses CT technology with or without intravenous dye to determine your heart’s health, coronary circulation, and vessel wellbeing includes the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries.

A cardiologist will enlist the CT scan to diagnose heart disease including calcium screening, coronary angiography and a total body scan. Currently advances are being met to combine PET scanning with CT scan to better detect cardiovascular disease.

Los Angeles cardiologist use the PET scan a radiologist to examine the biological functions of your body including blood flow and glucose metabolism of the heart. CT scans show the heart’s shape and volume to determine a heart diagnosis. Always consider the expertise and training of the doctor performing these procedures, as the number of adequately trained doctors is limited.

When you make your appointment for your scan your doctor will provide specific instructions on how to prepare for your test. It is common for you to need an IV and related lab tests prior to your CT heart scan. Do not drink caffeine products including chocolate and soft drinks 24 hours before your test as caffeine can cause increased blood pressure. Always talk to your doctor about any and all medications you are currently taking as this may interfere with results. You may however, drink clear liquids the night before your test including clear broths, plain gelatine and ginger ale.

Immediately after your scan you can continue normal activities and eat as usual. Your results will be reviewed by a team of cardiovascular specialists, including your doctor and a cardiovascular imaging specialist and the results will be presented to you within a few days.

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Knowing Your Heart, Knowing The Risks

November 19, 2009 by apexcardiology

full body scanCNN recently reports that Jennie Garth, an actress known for her “Kelly” role on Beverly Hills 90210, found out in 2000 that she has a heart condition. One in three women has some form of cardiovascular disease. Even though it is largely preventable by visiting a cardiologist, one woman dies from heart disease almost every minute. In fact, more women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.

Having had her father suffer a heart attack and diagnosed with arterial sclerosis at age 37, when Garth turned 30, she chose to see a cardiologist for a CT heart scan.

She committed to going every year for a checkup even though she was convinced she’d be the exception to the family gene pool. Instead, she found out that she had a leaky heart valve. It wasn’t a serious condition, but it reminded her how important it was to stay in tune with her body.

Between working and raising her three daughters, she says it can be easy to forget to take care of herself, but the reality is that 80 percent of cardiac events in women are preventable if they make the right choices for their hearts. Incorporating a healthier diet, more exercise, refraining from smoking, and scheduling a full body scan can make all the difference.

Here are ways you can choose to commit to your heart and the hearts of your family: make a doctor’s appointment every year, perhaps around your birthday. When you go to see your Los Angeles cardiologist, be prepared with a list of questions and ask about your numbers, like cholesterol and blood pressure. Also, it is important to stay active for your heart and make physical activity a family affair. Spend time together walking the dog, gardening, or even playing tag. Commit to planning balanced meals and teaching your family about healthy food choices. By teaching them these lessons now, you can prepare your children for a lifetime of healthy food decisions. Choose to breathe clean, fresh air. Kick the smoking habit once and for all. Most women don’t know that the heart is a very forgiving organ. Even if you have abused it by smoking, eating poorly, or by not exercising, you can start right now to repair it by making the right choices. For more information about heart disease prevention, contact your local cardiologists for more information.

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Tumor Size Often Determines How Likely Cancer Will Spread In Lungs

October 15, 2009 by apexcardiology

64 slice CT scan
Smaller tumors in lung cancer are less likely to spread into cancer, according to an Archives of Internal medicine study that reported that the earlier the detection, the better chance for successfully treating lung cancer.

Early screening using a 64 slice CT scan provides early detection of lung cancer even when a person is not aware of having cancer. The CT scan finds tumors that are very small in size; tumors less than 30 millimeters in diameter are classified as stage IA, while the IB tumors measure larger than 30 millimeters in diameter. Because of the use of CT scans, the size rating of stage I cancers now have two size categories; IA, and IB. There is some relationship to tumor size and the prognosis of surviving lung cancer for most patients.

Lung cancer specialists classify tumors as either small cell or non-small cell along with their sizes at the time of diagnosis, as cardiologists do with irregular cell growth in the heart.

They make a note of cancer cells that metastasize or spread. The patient’s tumors are determined if they were solid, nonsolid or part-solid. In the study, among the 464 lung cancer patients observed, 28 patients had small cell cancer, and the tumors associated with this type of cancer were at a higher risk for spreading.

In addition to finding tumors of the lung, using computed tomography CT heart scan and advanced computer software, cardiologists can obtain a non-invasive image of the beating heart. This allows for the obtaining of detailed information about the structure of a patient’s heart and coronary arteries, which until recently, was only available by an invasive coronary angiogram. The extent of arterial calcification can also be determined using a full body scan and is an important early indicator of the presence of coronary artery disease. These discoveries may lead to earlier treatment that will prevent a heart attack or possible death.

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