Tag Archives: Conditions and Diseases

Are You As Healthy As You Think?

Are You As Healthy As You Think?

By:
Too often, seemingly healthy people suffer a devastating heart attack or stroke. Two new screening tests may help better identify those at risk of cardio vascular emergencies:
 The PLAC Test measures blood levels of an enzyme called Lp-PLA2 that, when elevated, may trigger an inflammatory response inside an artery and set the stage for plaque ... More
Heart Health and Hope

Heart Health and Hope

By:
I have a question concerning the angiogenesis procedure that may be FDA approved in 2009. Might I possibly be a candidate? I am 76 years old with a 20-year history of heart problems. My electrophysiologist said I was a prime candidate for a heart transplant, but I would never move up the list because of ... More
Managing Blood Lipid Levels

Managing Blood Lipid Levels

By:
Could you discuss VLDL? What little literature there is says that Lp(a) is worse than LDL, and nobody even measures it. Healthcare providers fuss so much about small deviations in LDL or sodium levels but continue to be blasé about Lp(a). Unbelievable. VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) is a type of lipid protein in the ... More
Diet Keeping Asthma Away

Diet Keeping Asthma Away

By:
The Mediterranean diet, heavy in cereals, fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, has been shown to be protective against heart disease. Recent studies suggest it may also be linked to lower risk for asthma in children. In the latest study, Mexican researchers found children who adhered to a Mediterranean-style diet showed a 40 percent decrease ... More
Convoluted Heart Vessels

Convoluted Heart Vessels

By:
My heart catheterization was normal, other than “very tortuous cardiac vessels.” Are you aware of studies showing the cause or consequence of my cardiac vessel condition? Should my offspring or “grands” be tested, and can it be detected without a cardiac cath? Tortuous coronary arteries are usually a normal variant of no concern. Sometimes they ... More
Second Ablations Often Succeed

Second Ablations Often Succeed

By:
In 2001, I suddenly had a short in the electrical system of my heart, and this threw me into A-fib. I have had an ablation with a 67 percent cure, and am taking digoxin, Sotalol, and Cartia XT. Why do they say a second ablation usually has an 80 percent or better cure? I am ... More
Hearing Heartbeat in Ears

Hearing Heartbeat in Ears

By:
I hear my heart beating in my right ear like a reader reported in the May/June 2008 issue. An ENT doctor diagnosed my condition as tinnitus due to the closeness of the carotid artery to the ear. Perhaps this could be a consideration for that reader. My question: Would you suggest I see a heart ... More
Pacemaker Safety

Pacemaker Safety

By:
Two questions, if you please. I have an Adapta DR pacemaker. May I use an electric adjustable bed with optional head and foot massage? And, will the pulsations of a bath spa harm the pacemaker and a human valve replacement? Thank you kindly. These are excellent questions to also discuss with the doctor who implanted ... More
Diabetes and Foot Problems

Diabetes and Foot Problems

By:
Dear Dr. SerVaas, My feet hurt and feel swollen inside. They get worse when I lay down. I am a diabetic and on Glucotrol, Glucophage, and insulin. My sugar count still runs above the 120 limit. Is there anything I can do for my feet? Regina Niangua, Missouri It is very important for you to ... More
Hallucinations and Heart Surgery

Hallucinations and Heart Surgery

By:
I had coronary bypass surgery late last year and recently have been having visual hallucinations. Can coronary surgery cause this problem? I have not yet consulted my cardiologist about it and would appreciate your opinion. Changes in mentation (mental activity) can occur in a minority of patients after coronary artery bypass surgery. The reason(s) for ... More
Live Well this Winter Season

Live Well this Winter Season

By:
Live well this winter season. Schedule some time for activities that nourish your body and your spirit. Post editors suggest arranging fresh flowers for home or office. Or watch the birds, sing and dance, have lunch with a friend, or visit a museum. Drinking a cup of ginger tea soothes and relaxes. Buy ginger tea ... More
Leg Swelling

Leg Swelling

By:
I was born with a heart murmur, and it has never really bothered me. At age 76, my family doctor heard the heart skip and referred me to a cardiologist who suggested a cardioversion to give me more pep. It went well. Five hours later, however, my legs began to swell, and it turned into ... More

Heading Off the Pain of Migraines

By:
For the millions of Americans suffering from chronic migraines, the outlook for relief is better than it’s been in years. Debra BenAvram’s health woes kicked off with a “really horrible” migraine three years ago. She has no idea what triggered the attack. But over the next six months, it turned into a constant daily headache ... More
IMT Scan vs. Other Factors

IMT Scan vs. Other Factors

By:
I am active and healthy. Given my family history of heart disease, an IMT scan was recently done. Results include IMT .931 and vascular age 85 (I am 69). Both sides contain plaque. Consequently, my physician has urged me to begin a statin. I am trying to gather information related to using a statin. Any ... More
Dodging DNA Destiny

Dodging DNA Destiny

By:
After reading your articles in The Saturday Evening Post, I felt compelled to send you a question about diastolic dysfunction. I’m interested in knowing if a genetic marker has been identified and if a test is available. I have high blood pressure and a strong paternal family history of heart disease. Otherwise, I’m a relatively ... More
Heart Valves, Leg Pain, and Exercise

Heart Valves, Leg Pain, and Exercise

By:
In 2004 I had heart failure and surgery to replace a valve and arteries. Will the valve last forever? I am 70 years old. My legs pain a lot when I’m walking on an incline but not when on level ground. I feel sluggish and wonder if it is from heart problems or medicines. How ... More
Thinning Blood and Coumadin

Thinning Blood and Coumadin

By:
I was recently hospitalized because my blood was dangerously thin. I was taking Coumadin as prescribed by my doctor. I would appreciate any information and also want to know if Bufferin or aspirin do thin the blood. Coumadin (trade name warfarin) “thins” the blood by interfering with its normal clotting processes. This action is important ... More
Page 3 of 41234