Gov. Christie’s obesity risks

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Governor Chris Christie has done the fight against the obesity epidemic in America no favors, when he lashed out against a former White House physician worrying he might die in office as a result of complications caused by his excess weight. This doctor certainly isn’t the only physician in the country capable of observing obesity (with its well known complications) …

Coronary blockages

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Submitted by Dr T on February 6, 2013 – 11:42am in Cardiac Risks Question:  Can a coronary blockage be reduced or removed without surgical intervention? I had a recent abnormal ECG. I had no pains or breathlessness, but I had the ECG taken because my recently had an infarct and I wanted to be careful.  I had one taken 18 …

Tachycardia at a young age

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Submitted by Dr T on January 30, 2013 – 2:24pm Question:  In the past few months I have been tachycardic with a hearth rate always above 100bpm at rest, few days ago I also felt some palpitations and chest tightness, I took and two ECG’s which both had T wave inversions also in V3-V5. I took an Echo which resulted …

Dizziness, vomiting and unresponsiveness

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Submitted by Dr T on January 30, 2013 – 2:05pm Question:  Hi Dr. T!  Four months ago I had an “episode” that warranted me following up with my PCP who ordered a ECG in his office.  He said “it is abnormal, but normal for you” and left it at that.  When I asked what that meant, he told me that …

Heart disease and snoring

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Submitted by Dr T on January 29, 2013 – 5:00pm in Cardiac Risks Question:  Hi Dr T, My husband snores. Should he have surgery to prevent heart disease later in life? Hi Amelia,Of course not. There are excellent reasons to recommend an operation for snoring but NOT to prevent a heart attack or stroke later in life as has been …

Heart healthy living after bypass surgery

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Submitted by Dr T on January 28, 2013 – 5:24pm in Cardiac Risks Question:  Hello,My husband takes lipitor, and his cholesterol numbers are great.  However, sometimes he eats a very high fat meal.  He says that’s okay since his numbers are so good.  This seems wrong, but I can’t say why- can you?  (He had quad bypass 11 years ago.) …

Routine nuclear stress tests

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Submitted by Dr T on January 27, 2013 – 7:30pm in Cardiac Risks Question:  How often is a stress test necessary?  Should it be done as a routine test every year? Hi Rebecca,Of course not; repeat stress tests depend on your symptoms, risks for heart disease and findings of heart disease if present If you are at high risk (calculate …

Snoring and heart disease

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Yesterday, the medical correspondent to NBC aired a story with the conclusion: if you snore, you are at risk for developing heart disease. Next, a few chubby smokers were shown, followed by an interview with an attractive young couple. The husband had recently undergone sinus surgery to stop his snoring and “to prevent heart disease later”. Somewhat modified, the same …

Lightheadedness after pacemaker installed

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Submitted by Dr T on January 27, 2013 – 8:57am Question:  Three days ago I had a pace maker installed and have since been very tired and have had daily episodes of lightheadedness.  B/P monitoring shows a normal range but why am I having these spells?  I have been back to the ER since the installation, and everything checked out …

Palpitations and Thyroid disease

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Submitted by Dr T on January 26, 2013 – 12:31pm Question:  I have recently been diagnosed with Grave’s disease after seeking help for heart palpitations.  I am taking both propranolol & methimazol.  Although I have only been taking the methimazol for 4 days, I started taking 20 mg of propranolol 4X/day starting 9 days ago but then had it increased …