Q: My grandson has a bicuspid heart valve.he is very active..wants to be on the football team. the coach is really encouraging him to join.iam very worried that something will happen . the whole summer is mainly practice. not much of a break. in fifth grade the coach almost caused him to pass out due to running.please let me know …
Funny chest pains
Hi, I am a 36 year old male with no real history of any medical problems. I have a poor family history of heart attacks/bypasses. My father had a large one at 62. Lately, I have been having very small sharp pains in my chest/heart area. These seem to occur randomly. I have been chalking them up to being stress …
This new technique of Mitral valve repair with a mitral-valve clip does NOT offer any advantage
Percutaneous Repair or Surgery for Mitral Regurgitation (the EVEREST II study), published in the NEJM on April 4th, compares the use of a mitral-valve clip with traditional surgery for repair or replacement of a leaking mitral valve. The authors concluded: “Although percutaneous repair was less effective at reducing mitral regurgitation than conventional surgery, the procedure was associated with superior safety …
Teenage Obesity and future diabetes, heart disease
Obese teenagers are at risk for diabetes and heart disease in the future In a new study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine (1), 37,000 Israeli teen aged men were followed for 17 years. Body Mass Index (BMI) was recorded regularly during the follow-up period. A higher BMI at age 17 was associated with an increased risk for …
In itch and cough in my chest
Q: “I am 18, 5’11”, Korean American, and have a normal heart except when I expel air forcibly. (longer tones and higher pitches) The cough feels like an itch in my chest, rather than my throat, and cough drops do not help. The chest movements are the biggest source of concern, as a doctor has told me that the heart …
Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy and heart disease
Q; I have a 19 year old son with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. He also has Supraventricular tachycardia. He has under gone an atrial flutter ablation and still has arrhythmias. He is not on any heart medication. His latest EKG showed RSR rime in V1, non specific T wave changes and sinus rhythm. His heart rate is 100bpm. When he has …
I am so worried there is something wrong with my heart
Q: Would a CTA of the chest (not a Coronary CTA-3D Heart Scan), be able to pick up a Coronary Artery Aneurysm (CAA)? I had one recently. I wonder if a CAA could be causing my symptoms of mid to left chest pain, left arm/underarm pain and extreme dizziness-lightheadedness. All three of these symptoms happen right after light exertion, and …
What is a Myoview stress test
Q: What is a test that is called Non Congenital and stress Exercise Myoview is this one test or 2 different ones. This is what I need to get but I want to know is it painful? or does it hurt any at all and how is it done? thank you
Obesity and Economics
While I recognize that Mr. Gingrich’s recent speech about chocolate, beer and tough choices, was meant to just raise a few chuckles (which it did, even if it was besides the point), he might want to take a look at a recent speech by First Lady Michelle Obama on the Economic Consequences of Obesity, as well other economic data on …
Why is my Blood Pressure suddenly low?
Q: I have been treated for high blood pressure for several years. Currently I am taking Diovan HCT Tabs 160/12.5 and only taking 1/2 tablet which has been controlling my blood pressure. My husband died from lymphoma 1 1/2 years ago and during his illness my stress level was high and my blood pressure dropped dramatically. Currently my brother-in-law is …