Submitted by Dr T on December 11, 2010 – 9:10am in Other Question: If my doctor prescribes a statin for me, do I need to take the supplement, CoQ10 also? Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is similar to a vitamin. It also functions as an antioxidant, and has been used (w/o) success) in the treatment of heart failure. The use of statins …
Soreness in my left arm and heart disease in women
Submitted by Dr T on December 11, 2010 – 8:44am in Chest Pain Question: Hi there, I’ve had intermittent discomfort (similar to a sore ache) in my left arm for a few weeks now (with occasional numbing in my left fingertips). I have also experienced weakness in my left leg. The discomfort is also intermittent in left side chest area. …
How good are heart medications at reversing coronary artery disease
Submitted by Dr T on December 10, 2010 – 10:15am Question: Do any of the currently used heart medications (beta blockers, statins, calcium channel blockers, etc.) have the ability to reverse artery blockages or just slow down or stop their progress? Thanks. What a good question! Take a look here for a description of the way the various heart …
Mitral Valve Prolapse with Pectus Excavatum
Submitted by Dr T on December 9, 2010 – 7:23pm in Cardiac Risks Question: Hello , I am a 24 yr old male with moderate pectus excavatum along with Mitral Valve Prolapse. I was doing some research on the new minimal invasive robotic surgery for Mitral Valve Prolapse. I was wondering if having surgery to repair my mitral valve prolapse …
Statins, my liver and side effects
Submitted by Dr T on December 9, 2010 – 7:09pm in Nutrition Question: I am a 63 year old man who vigorously exercises at the gym 3 to 5 days a week. I have been taking statin medication for many years for high cholesterol with good response. My internist has, of course, monitored liver function and CK routinely and results …
Anesthesia and arrhythmias
Submitted by Dr T on December 9, 2010 – 6:52pm in Cardiac Risks Question: Hi, my dad is 56 years old with diabetes and high blood pressure. Yesterday he was supposed to have a bipolar hip replacement and after the anesthesia as they turned him over to start the incision his heart stopped for 2 seconds and they had to …
Cardiac ECHO measurements
Submitted by Dr T on December 8, 2010 – 6:42pm in Other Question: We have some Cardiologists who dictate E:A ratio and some who also in the same report say E:A and later E:a, or E/A and E/a. I’ve searched but don’t find anything conclusive as to why anything else would be correct other than E:A or E/A. Could I …
Heavy heart beat and smoking
Submitted by Dr T on December 8, 2010 – 10:11am in Your heart rhythm Question: i am 23 years old and i smoke i have smoked for 13 years and i dont if my heart has something to do with the smoking but everything maybe 3 or 4 times its like my heart stops and feel its different heart beat …
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) PDA accounts for 5 to 10% of congenital heart anomalies; the male: female ratio is 1:3. PDA is very common among premature infants (in 45% with birth weight < 1750 g; in about 80% with birth weight < 1200 g). A significant PDA causes heart failure (HF) in 15% of premature infants with birth weight < …
I am overweight and worried about exercising
Submitted by Dr T on December 7, 2010 – 1:32pm in Cardiac Risks Question: Thank you for taking my question. I am a 35 yo female who has had all the cardiac tests you can imagine. Everything from echoes to a cardiac CTA. All tests were normal. The most recent test (CTA) was one year ago. Since that time I …