A Bloody Pericardial Effusion
Submitted by Dr T on July 3, 2015 – 9:04am Question: My father was recently hospitalized with a pericardial effusion and atrial fib/flutter with a rate of 160. Rate was decreased over 24 hours to 110-115 on amiodarone and diltiazem. His cardiologist wanted to perform a chemical stress test. (He had a negative cardiac cath 2 years prior). My father …
Acute Stent Failure, Risks of MI or Death
Acute Stent Thrombosis frequently results in myocardial infarction (up to 80% of cases) with reported mortality rates between 30 and 45%. In contrast, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft occlusion may become apparent with recurrent angina, which then may lead to repeat revascularization. This effect is well known from the literature and did indeed translate into increased rates of myocardial infarction and cardiac …
Sick Sinus Syndrome Treatment
Submitted by Dr T on April 2, 2015 – 5:07pm in Your heart rhythm Question: I am 76 years of age and have been diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome. The suggested treatment is metoprolol and a pacemaker. I have not had any symptoms such as, light headedness, fainting, or tiredness, other than the feeling of the sometimes erratic heart beat. …
Worried about life after a heart attack
Submitted by Dr T on February 8, 2015 – 3:18pm in Cardiac Risks Question: Hi, I am 35 and had a heart attack 18 months ago, due to high cholesterol. As a result I needed a stent in my RCA and have been told I have very mild disease in my LAD. my cardiologist told me I suffered next to …
Abnormal Holter test results
Submitted by Dr T on February 6, 2015 – 12:32pm in Cardiac Risks Question: My husband is 66 years old, 6”4′, 247, has high blood pressure & gout. Otherwise healthy. just got back his Holter monitor today. We have the test results, but his Doctor appoint is 3 weeks away. He was in sinus rhythm all the time. He had …
Choosing the best procedure
Submitted by Dr T on January 18, 2015 – 4:15pm in Cardiac Risks Question: I proactively requested a stress test, at 66, due to not having had one in 10 years and my sister just had emergency CABG, possibly with genetic factors causing the coronary artery disease. Stress test completed, problem found, angiogram done 2 days ago. Two blockages, 90%-95% …
Pvcs/pacs during exercise
Submitted by Dr T on January 17, 2015 – 11:23am in Cardiac Risks Question: I’m 68 and have been an avid runner for 20 years. I’ve also been a “sufferer” of pvcs/pacs most of my life. I have an annual cardio checkup and all tests have always been normal. My Dr. Has reassured me on the benign nature of these …
The Portland Community Free Clinic
For some time now I have been a volunteer physician at the Portland Community Free Clinic (part of the India Street Public Health Center of Portland, Maine), where low-income residents in the area receive free medical care. When you visit CardiacHealth to get a question answered, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to the Friends of the PCFC. The FPCFC …
Further treatment after a major heart attack
Submitted by Dr T on January 7, 2015 – 9:23am in Cardiac Risks Question: My father is 68 years old and suffered a Major heart attacked in Nov ’14. Only thrombolysis was done at that point and no angiography was done.(It took him 6 hrs to reach the hospital from where the attack occurred).As a results the doctors say that …