Holistic Cardiology
Heart Coronary Artery Disease - The Silent Killer ...
"One in four women in the US dies of heart disease, while only one in thirty dies of breast cancer - US Govt. statistics."
Some Facts ...
1.6 million people will suffer a heart attack this year
For 500,000 people the first symptom of heart disease is death
Majority of heart attacks occur in people with normal cholesterol levels
68% of heart atacks occur in arteries that are less than 50% blocked
You may think "This is not about me - I don't have heart disease".
But you may have conditions or habits like being overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure, high stress, smoking or a sedentary lifestyle that has already planted the seeds of heart disease in your body.
Plaque can build up unknowingly in the arteries surrounding the heart. This can block needed blood supply to the heart muscle. These plaques can also unexpectedly rupture causing a sudden heart atack.
You may feel that you can be cured through heart surgery or stents if your arteries are clogged. This is a myth. Bypass surgery and angioplasty can help improve blood flow to the heart more easily. But the arteries remain damaged which means you are more likely to have a heart attack. Heart disease is a lifelong condition and even after surgery, you will continue to live with discomfort and a reduced life expectancy. That is why it is so vital to take immediate action and control this disease.
We can help you in two ways:
1. If you have not had heart problems but have risk factors that can cause heart disease; and are a male over 35 or a female over 45 years old:
We can schedule you for an exam by our Cardiologist and for an EKG or Stress Echo as needed. This should be done annually for you, specially if you have chest pains or other symptoms of heart disease.
If the exam indicated you have plaque buildup or other issues, we can put you on a treatment and plaque minimization program.
2. If you have had heart surgery or a stent put in your heart, you are in increased risk of another heart attack.
We can schedule you for an exam by our Cardiologist and put you on a program to help minimize the liklihood of your arteries from getting clogged again with plaque.
HEART DISEASE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CAUSES OF DEATH IN AMERICA ...."Early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease is important for good health.....
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The Heart
The heart is nestled between the two lungs in the centre of the chest, behind the breastbone. Its functions are to pump oxygenated blood around the body, and to deliver deoxygenated blood and waste products (carbon dioxide) to the lungs. The heart is shaped a little like an upside-down pear, is about the size of a clenched fist, and weighs between 300g and 450g. At rest, the heart pumps about four to five liters of blood every minute. The heart operates automatically, but responds to 'information' received from other parts of the body by changing its output accordingly. For example, hard-working muscles need more oxygen, so the heart (and lungs) picks up the pace to supply the body's increased needs.
The four chambers of the heart
The heart is a double pump with four chambers, each separated by valves that only permit blood to flow in one direction. Basically, the right side of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while the left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body. The two sides of the heart are separated by a muscular wall called the septum. The right upper chamber (atrium) takes in deoxygenated blood from the body and squeezes it into the right lower chamber (ventricle). From there, the blood is taken by an artery to the lungs, where the carbon dioxide is replaced with oxygen. Oxygenated blood enters the heart's left upper chamber (atrium). It is then pumped into the lower left chamber (ventricle) and then into an artery (the aorta), where it starts its journey around the body again. Blood pressure refers to the amount of force the pumping blood exerts on arterial walls.
Each atrium is connected to its ventricle by a one-way valve. The valve on the right side of the heart is called the tricuspid valve, while the valve on the left side is called the mitral valve. The familiar 'lub-dub' sound of the heartbeat is caused by the rhythmic closing of the heart valves as blood is pumped in and out of the chambers. The heart rate is regulated by a special cluster of cells situated in the right atrium, called the sinus node. This prompts the atria to contract first; then an electrical impulse is sent to a second node (the atrioventricular node), which is found between the atria and their ventricles. After a brief delay, the ventricles contract. On average, the adult heart beats around 70 to 80 times every minute.
The blood vessels of the heart include:
- Vena cavae- deoxygenated blood is delivered to the right atrium by two veins: one (superior vena cava) carries blood from the head and upper torso, while the other (inferior vena cava) carries blood from the lower body.
- Pulmonary arteries- deoxygenated blood is pumped by the right ventricle into the pulmonary arteries that link to the lungs.
- Pulmonary veins- the pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.
- Aorta- the largest artery of the body that runs the length of the trunk. Oxygenated blood is pumped into the aorta from the left ventricle. The aorta subdivides into various branches that deliver blood to the upper body, trunk and lower body.
- Coronary arteries- like any other organ or tissue, the heart needs oxygen. The coronary arteries that supply the heart are connected directly to the aorta, which ensures a rich supply of oxygenated blood.
- Coronary veins- deoxygenated blood from heart muscle is 'dumped' by coronary veins directly into the right atrium.
A range of disorders
Some disorders of the heart include:
- Heart murmur- an audible vibration or humming heard through the stethoscope, caused by somewhat noisy blood flow within the heart. Faulty heart valves are a common cause, but usually the murmur does not indicate an abnormality.
- Heart valve disorders- for example, a faulty mitral valve allows blood to move backwards from the ventricle into the atrium. This condition is called mitral regurgitation.
- Coronary heart disease- fatty deposits or plaques build up inside one or more of the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis). This constant silting narrows the artery. Untreated, coronary heart disease can lead to angina or a heart attack.
- Angina- if the coronary arteries are narrowed, part of the heart muscle may not receive enough blood and oxygen. This causes the sensations of chest tightness and pain that are typical of angina.
- Heart attack- if a coronary artery is blocked, the heart is starved of oxygen and nutrients. Heart muscle cells (myocardial cells) are damaged, and may die without prompt treatment.
- Congenital disorders- the heart of a fetus may not develop properly. Problems include the blockage of blood flow inside the heart or blood vessels, abnormal flow of blood within the heart, or the heart itself may be underdeveloped.
- Pericarditis- inflammation or infection of the pericardium, which is the membrane surrounding the heart.
Symptoms of heart disease
The symptoms of heart disease depend on the type of disorder, but may include:
- Chest pain - coronary heart disease symptom
- Tightness in the chest - coronary heart disease symptom
- Shortness of breath - coronary heart disease symptom
- Irregular heartbeat - coronary heart disease symptom
- Unusually fast or slow heartbeat - coronary heart disease symptom
- Lightheadedness - coronary heart disease symptom
Fatigue - coronary heart disease symptom.
What is an exercise stress echo test?
An echocardiogram (often called an "echo") is a graphic outline of the heart's movement, valves and chambers created from high-frequency sound waves that come from a hand-held wand placed on your chest. Echo is often combined with Doppler ultrasound and color Doppler to evaluate blood flow across the heart's valves.
The exercise stress echo test involves exercising on a treadmill or stationary bicycle while you are closely monitored. The test is used to:
- Determine how well your heart tolerates activity;
- Evaluate the function of your heart and valves;
- Determine your likelihood of having coronary artery disease (blocked arteries); and
- Evaluate the effectiveness of your cardiac treatment plan.
Can I eat or drink on the day of the test?
Yes. However, DO NOT eat or drink anything except water for 4 hours before the test . DO NOT drink or eat caffeine products (cola, Mountain Dew, chocolate products, coffee or tea) for 24 hours before the test. Caffeine will interfere with the results of your test.
Should I take my medications the day of the test?
Since many over-the-counter medications contain caffeine (such as diet pills, No Doz, Excedrin and Anacin), DO NOT take any over-the-counter medication that contains caffeine for 24 hours before the test. Ask your physician, pharmacist or nurse if you have questions about other medications that may contain caffeine.
DO NOT take the following heart medications on the day of your test unless your physician tells you otherwise or if the medication is needed to treat chest discomfort:
- Beta blockers [for example: atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), Propranolol (Inderal)]
- Isosorbide dinitrate (for example: Isordil, Sorbitrate)
- Isosorbide mononitrate (for example: Ismo, Indur, Monoket)
- Nitroglycerine (for example: Deponit, Nitrostat, Nitropatches)
Your physician may also ask you to stop taking other heart medications on the day of your test. If you have any questions about your medications, ask your physician.
NOTE: Do not discontinue any medication without first talking with your physician.
- If you use an inhaler for your breathing, please bring it to the test.
Guidelines for people with diabetes
If you take insulin to control your blood sugar, ask your physician what amount of your medication you should take the day of the test. Often, your physician will tell you to take only half of your usual morning dose and to eat a light meal 4 hours before the test.
If you take pills to control your blood sugar, do not take your medication until after the test is complete.
Do not take your diabetes medication and skip a meal before the test.
If you own a glucose monitor, bring it with you to check your blood sugar levels before and after your exercise stress test. If you think that your blood sugar is low, tell the lab personnel immediately. Plan to eat and take your blood sugar medication following your stress test.
What should I wear the day of the test?
Wear comfortable clothes. Bring shoes suitable for walking. Do not bring valuables. You will be given a locker to store your belongings during the test.
What happens during the test?
- A cardiac sonographer will gently rub 10 small areas on your chest and place electrodes (small, flat, sticky patches) on these areas. The electrodes are attached to an electrocardiograph monitor (EKG) that charts your heart's electrical activity during the test.
- Before you start exercising, the sonographer will perform a resting EKG, measure your resting heart rate and take your blood pressure.
- The sonographer will ask you to lie on your left side on an exam table so he or she can perform a resting echocardiogram (also called an "echo"). An echocardiogram is a graphic outline of the heart's movement created from ultrasound vibrations echoed from the heart's structures. The technician will place a wand (called a transducer) on your chest so the physician can see the outline of the heart's movement. This should not hurt.
- After the echo test, you will exercise either on a treadmill or a stationary bicycle.
- The lab personnel will ask you to start exercising and gradually increase your rate of exercise. You will be asked to exercise very hard until you are exhausted.
- At regular intervals, the lab personnel will ask how you are feeling. Please tell them if you feel chest, arm or jaw pain or discomfort, short of breath, dizzy, lightheaded or if you have any other unusual symptoms.
- The lab personnel will watch for changes on the EKG monitor that suggest the test should be stopped.
- When you cannot exercise any longer, you will get off the treadmill*, quickly return to the exam table and lie on your left side so the sonographer can perform another echocardiogram.
*If you were exercising on a bike, the sonographer may perform the echo test while you are still pedaling. You may be asked to quickly return to the exam table for another echocardiogram after exercising.
- Your heart rate, blood pressure and EKG will continue to be monitored after exercising until the levels are returning to normal.
How will I feel during the test?
You will be encouraged to exercise until you are exhausted. It is normal for your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and perspiration to increase. This information will allow your physician to assess your heart's ability to function.
As you stop exercising suddenly, it is normal to feel a little unsteady when getting off the treadmill and onto the exam table for the echocardiogram.
If you begin to notice chest discomfort, excessive shortness of breath, lightheadedness, irregular heart beats or other symptoms of concern, tell the stress lab personnel immediately.
How long does the test take?
The appointment will take about 60 minutes. The actual exercise time is usually between 7 and 12 minutes.
How do I get the results of my test?
After the cardiologist reviews your test, the results will go into your electronic medical record. Your physician will have access to the results and will discuss them with you.
Holistic Cardiology - How can this help me?
Combining the best of conventional medicine with evidence-based alternative and complementary medicine, the Integrative Health and Preventive Cardoliogy Program can help to uncover and treat the root cause of your health issues.
Stress, poor nutrition, weight gain, lack of exercise, smoking, drug and alcohol use, work, outlook on life, relationships, family history—they all impact your health and your heart. Integrative health/preventive cardiology involve looking at all of these factors (not just disease risk and clinical diagnosis) to determine your unique health profile. After an integrative cardiology consult, you will receive a customized plan that empowers you to take control of your health and well-being through lifestyle changes; more natural, less toxic treatments; and, when necessary, the appropriate medical interventions.
Is this program for me?
Whether you're seeking to improve your health and vitality; to protect yourself against a family disease history; or to manage a pre-existing condition, such as coronary disease, in a different way, a consult with an integrative cardiology can help you to change your life.
What is a holistic cardiology consult?
A holistic cardiology consult does not replace the care you receive from your primary physician or cardiologist; it simply rounds it out.
You will be asked to complete a detailed history form before your visit that includes your medical history as well as information about your diet, vitamins and herbal supplements, exercise, work, and family and community relationships.
Next, during a 50-minute, fact-to-face consultation with an integrative health/preventive cardiology physician, you'll address your concerns, determine your health risk factors, and devise a plan to help you achieve better health. The cardiologist will work closely with you and your regular physician(s) to help you attain your goals. Your active participation is a critical part of the process. Detailed reports of your consult will be forwarded to you and the doctor(s) of your choice.
As the next step to see our Cardiologist, please call 1-212-679-9667 for an appointment or send an email to: info@patientsmedical.com .
For removing plaque without surgery:
http://www.patientsmedical.com/Heart-Plaquex-Therapy.html
For testing information:
http://www.patientsmedical.com/CardiacTesting.html