Submitted by Dr T on October 4, 2010 – 5:51pm Question: I am a 36 y.o. male and I have not been able to sleep at night due to lack of breath when I lay down and I feel like I’m drowning or can only get rapid breaths. This has only happened occasionally over the past couple of years. I …
My Mother-in-law has HOCM, Diastolic heart failure. What should she do?
Submitted by Dr T on September 30, 2010 – 4:42pm Question: My mother-in-law is 64 years old . She has HOCM for the last 3 years with mild to moderate MR and mild LV diastolic dysfunction. She has recently become symptomatic. When she was in the US 3 months back she was admitted in the emergency when she had severe …
Rolled Lasagna with fresh ricotta and smoked mozzarella
Submitted by Dr T on September 29, 2010 – 12:20pm Last week I stayed with my son and his fiancée on their farm in northern Maine. As usual when I visit, dinner becomes a food fest as well as a social adventure: (among others) he also has a graduate degree from a culinary institute and cooks like a dream come …
What is QTc and Long QT syndrome (LQTS)?
What is QTc and Long QT syndrome (LQTS)? Submitted by Dr T on September 28, 2010 – 2:10pm Question: If I have QT 380, what is the QTc duration?And what you think about overstimation of QT if U wave is present? And derive the present ECG machines conduction intervals from lead II? My first question to you is, why do …
Walnut Pizza
Pizza with Walnut Pesto, Ricotta, Spinach and Caramelized Onions, using Whole Wheat Pizza Dough (courtesy of Todd English and Figs Restaurant) Makes four 8-10 inch pizzas 1/4 cup whole wheat flour 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour plus additional for rolling 2 teaspoons (1/4 ounce) fresh yeast 2 teaspoons kosher salt 2 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 2/3 …
My EKG shows a Bundle Branch Block. What does it mean?
Submitted by Dr T on September 28, 2010 – 6:59am Bundle Branch Block I found this great article written by Richard N. Fogoros, M.D., About.com Guide, November 26, 2003, that I reprint here: Causes, significance, and treatment Bundle branch block (BBB) is a relatively frequent finding on the electrocardiogram (ECG). Sometimes BBB itself needs to be treated; sometimes it indicates significant …
Why does my heart beat harder and flutter every time I lay down?
Submitted by Dr T on September 27, 2010 – 1:38pm in Your heart rhythm The first thing to find out is whether this is a real rhythm problem or not (I suspect not). Some of it may have to do with the shape of your body and your emotional state when you feel these flutters. Most people feel their heart …
Optimal Medical Therapy, what is it anyway?
Submitted by Dr T on September 27, 2010 – 12:11pm In a number of articles and blogs I have talked about Optimal Medical Therapy (OMT), but what is OMT? Isn’t every treatment by your doctors “optimal”? The term comes from an article published in 2007 as the COURAGE Trial about which I have written and blogged a number of times. …
How long does a Pericardial Effusion take to go away?
Submitted by Dr T on September 25, 2010 – 2:57pm in Other A pericardial effusion and its treatment depends on the cause. The pericardium is a thin sac that surrounds your heart and protects it within your chest cavity together with your ribcage. Normally it has a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant and protects your heart …
I get lightheaded when I have PVCs
Submitted by Dr T on September 25, 2010 – 9:28am Question: I’ve been having some lightheadedness with my PVC’s, and I passed out once. What should I do? Lightheadedness or fainting needs to be evaluated, but it is also possible that this is not caused by your PVCs. A number of blood and other tests are necessary to evaluate this. …