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cardiologist – A Look into the Heart with innovative CT Scanning Techniques

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:47:56 +0000

Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart. The field includes the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. A physician specializing in this field of medicine is called a cardiologist. Cardiologists however should not be confused with cardiac surgeons, who perform cardiac surgery. Cardiologists investigate and treat a host of critical cardiac conditions like High Blood Pressure, Arrhythmia, Congestive Heart Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Valvular Disease, Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Raised Cholesterol, Breathlessness, Fluid Retentions, Palpitations, Dizzy Spells and Blackouts. Screening plays a major role in identifying high risk individuals and introducing lifestyle modifications and, if appropriate, medication to reduce their risk of heart problems in later life.Modern cardiology uses hi-tech medical equipment for diagnosis of anomalies. For evaluating coronary calcium in coronary heart disease, a CT Scan is often resorted to. A Cardiac CT is a painless test that uses an x-ray machine to take clear and detailed pictures of the heart. During a Cardiac CT Scan, an x-ray machine moves around the patient’s body in a circle. The machine takes pictures of each part of the patient’s heart. Subsequently, a computer puts the pictures together to make 3D pictures of the entire heart. CT Scans performed with a contrast injection are extremely useful for evaluating coronary blockage. Also diagnosable are aortic aneurisms and pulmonary embolisms.

Non-invasive imaging technologies continue to revolutionize every sub-specialty of medicine. Cardiology is no different; new imaging devices have shown enormous promise to diagnose a variety of cardiovascular abnormalities. Recent advances have allowed cardiologists to experience the next generation of extremely fast scanners that enable 64 Slice CT Scans in seconds. Combined with unparalleled resolution, a 64 Slice CT Scan has short scan times that allow the visualization of the heart and entire coronary tree within one breath. Now, a comprehensive evaluation of the health of one’s heart can be done in just a few minutes. One can simply walk in for a Non-invasive Coronary CT Angiography to identify any blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. 64 Slice CT Scan is safe and is not an invasive procedure unlike conventional catheter angiography. Coronary CT Angiography is also extremely useful in evaluating patency of stents and the condition of the bypass graft post-CABG.

Heart Disease is the #1 cause of death and disability in the United States. As such, early detection and prevention of heart disease is extremely important. A CT Heart Scan is a simple non-invasive test used for early detection of heart disease. It is a painless test that takes about 10 minutes. The individual lies on the scanner table and multiple images of the heart are taken. A qualified cardiologist then interprets these images to determine the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries of the heart. Calcified plaque is an indicator of heart disease. The heart scan may be appropriate for men 35 or older and women 40 or older possessing any of the risk factors.

full body scan – Identifying Heart Disease at an Early Stage

admin — Sat, 21 May 2011 04:42:03 +0000

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. However, advances in medical technology have made it increasingly possible for doctors to diagnose patients at an early stage and provide adequate treatment. When used in combination with other heart and lung scans, a full body scan, can help physicians more accurately identify the problem at hand. When caught early, heart disease can be treated. Following guidelines from a physician and making simple lifestyle changes can help lower risk of cardiovascular disease and improve one’s health. Factors that increase risk of heart disease include diet, alcohol, physical, inactivity, obesity and tobacco use.

If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back, irregular heartbeat, or dizziness it is recommended that you visit a cardiologist. The cardiologist will recommend appropriate testing and give helpful information on how to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.. Regular checkups are recommended for anyone with a family history of heart disease. Other high risk patients are those with High blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.

Los Angeles is internationally known for its culture, popular entertainment, media, tourist attractions and successful business. Los Angeles is the biggest city in California and, for years, it has been home to a diverse community of people. Residents of the Los Angeles area have noticed a tremendous growth in their population. Along with this population growth, came an increase in obesity and heart disease. Some unhealthy lifestyle habits have tremendously affected the health of Los Angeles residents. It is important that residents take advantage of advances in Los Angeles cardiology. Non-invasive tests have become more and more available to help cardiologists diagnose heart disease.

Scans are critical for patients who have higher risks of cardiovascular disease and those who have experienced common symptoms. Since many symptoms can be confused with those of other illnesses, most people are not getting tested. It is recommended that adults in their mid-40s consult a Los Angeles Cardiologist to have proper scans for heart disease so that problems can be detected early. Although scans increase the probability of detecting heart disease, it does not prevent nor cure it. Making wise lifestyle choices such as dieting and exercising will help lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

CT scan – Detecting a Heart Attack and Heart a Attack Prevention

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 05:09:57 +0000

A failing heart can cause a person to always be tired fatigue and worn down. If one is past the age of 45 and is experiencing these signs then he or she should have their heart checked. More people every year die of sudden heart attacks than our diagnosed with heart disease. In order to keep up good heart health men and women at the age of 45 should visit their local Cardiologist have their heart checked and get information of ways to improve their cardiovascular system.

The first step to detecting heart problems is to known ones symptoms and see a cardiologist. In this visit most cardiologist will conduct a CT heart Scan in order to be sure that nothing is or isn’t wrong. If the hear scan is clear one can be sure that they do not have major heart disease. Although ones scan is clear he or she should still learn the necessary steps to take if a sudden heart attack occurs.

The first hour of the heart attack is the golden hour if one gets help in this first hour then he or she is likely to survive the heart attack with a good recovery. Heart attack symptoms may vary from person to person. In women heart attack symptoms often hide and are more visible in men. A sudden heart attack may feel like digestive disturbances and some individuals are afraid to embarrass to ask for help in this moment. Embarrassment should not stop you, as the worse that can happen is be taken to the ER have a CT scan that may detect something wrong with the heart or something irregular.

The most common sign of a heart attack in the making is chest pain. Chest pain that is generally brought on by physical exertion, stress and may go away with rest. Fatigue is also a common side effect and present while doing any physical activity even ones that one was able to do in the past. Another common reason that heart attack symptoms hide is because most people experience indigestion. However this indigestion may seem different as it often does not respond to antacids.

All of these things may help to diagnose symptoms of a heart attack and urge many individuals to have a heart scan but the only way to avoid heart attack is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A healthy life style includes daily exercise, eating healthy and staying at a good weight for ones stature.

admin

full body scan – See a Cardiologist and Protect Your Heart

admin — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:52:17 +0000

It is easier than ever to diagnose heart disease using non-invasive methods such as a computed tomography (CT) heart scan or a CT full body scan. Before this technology was available a patient would have to undergo an invasive coronary angiogram, which required injecting a dye through a catheter into one of the patients large blood vessels so that the doctor can see the size and location of any damaged areas in the heart or arteries. Some risks of invasive coronary angiograms are: blood clots, infection where the catheter is inserted, air entering the arteries, or an allergic reaction to the dye.

By contrast to an invasive coronary angiogram, a CT heart scan creates high resolution 3D images of the heart and blood vessels without the use of a catheter. Instead, an iodine dye is injected through an IV, along with a medication to slow the patients heart rate, allowing for better image results. Xrays are picked up by the scanner and made into 3D images that show if fatty or calcium deposits have built up in the arteries. A CT full body scan is more extensive and examines the lungs, the heart, and the abdomen. For high risk patients, this may be the best option since early detection is key to treating and preventing heart disease. However, full body scans are administered as a last resort because they expose the patient to radiation.

You should see a cardiologist if you ever experience pain or discomfort in any areas of the upper body, including stomach, jaws, arms, or chest, shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heart beat, dizziness, or nausea. These are just a few of the signs that can signal heart disease, so it is best to see your doctor for regular check ups, especially if you are a high risk patient. High risk patients include anyone with a family history of heart disease, patients who have diabetes, smoke, or drink excessive amounts of alcohol. Also, people who are overweight, over the age of forty, and males are at higher risk than the rest of the population. After a women becomes menopausal, her risk of heart disease increases as well. When caught early, most heart disease can be treated with lifestyle changes, including: eating more fiber and potassium, taking asprin and natural blood thinners, and working out moderately most days per week.

full body scan – See a Cardiologist and Protect Your Heart

admin — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:51:40 +0000

CT Heart Scan Early Detection of Heart Disease

admin — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:46:08 +0000

The key to treating most life threatening illnesses is early detection. Men who reach the age of 35 and women who reach age 40 should speak to their primary physician about the early detection tests that they should take. Reaching these ages puts men and women at higher risks for heart disease and different cancers. There are several other factors that may put individuals at higher risks, these factors include:

High cholesterol

Diabetes

High blood pressure

History of tobacco use

Family history of heart disease

Overweight

Stress

The CT heart Scan procedure is simple and noninvasive used for early detection of heart disease. In most cases of early detection of heart disease the damage can be cured, minimized and even reversed. The scanning procedure takes about 10 minutes, one will lie on the scanner and multiple pictures of the heart are taken. A physician or cardiologist will then interpret the scans to determine the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries. The scan itself does not determine whether or not the individual is going to have a heart attack but instead makes visible the amount of calcified plaque in the heart which is an indicator of heart disease.

If the CT heart scan was not thorough enough or the physician detects further disease or a different illness then he or she may ask one to have a 64 Slice CT scan. The 64 slice CT scanner can gather high resolution images of a heart, brain or pair of lungs in about 5 seconds. This scan is specifically exciting for studying the beating heart providing the first clear noninvasive images of the heart and its major vessels.

These scans are critical for patients who have higher risks of heart disease and those who have already experienced some common symptoms, as these scans can essentially save a life. Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death and disability in the United States. Unfortunately for most people the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack. This is due to the fact that heart disease symptoms are often confused with other illnesses and most people are not getting tested for this when they should. Los Angeles cardiologist say all patients who have hit the age requirement should have a CT scan for heart disease and cancer because of the early detection benefits.

CT Heart Scan Early Detection of Heart Disease

admin — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 11:44:36 +0000

High cholesterol

Diabetes

High blood pressure

History of tobacco use

Family history of heart disease

Overweight

Stress

Diabetes and increased chances of heart disease

admin — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:27:36 +0000

People who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease they are also twice as likely to develop heart disease at an earlier age. It is important for individuals especially diabetes patients to keep a good diet and exercise. After about age 45 or some say 50 if one has a family history of heart disease he or she should see make an appointment with their local or referred to cardiologist. Seeing ones primary physician will not due, a specialist can run the proper test and best detect if there is a problem with ones heart.

Individuals who have diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease because of the effect of diabetes. Diabetes means that one’s pancreas does not create sufficient insulin to break down glucose to enter cells which is the body’s main source of energy; this means the cells will be energy starved. Over time high blood glucose levels damages nerves and blood vessels leading to heart disease and stroke. Individuals with type two diabetes are also, more likely to suffer from heart disease. These patients like all other patients can benefit greatly from early detection. This can be done by undergoing simple test such as a heart scan or CT scan.

This is especially necessary if one is has diabetes and has already had one heart attack because they are in greater risk of suffering another heart attack. It is critical for individuals who have an escalated risk of heart disease to know the symptoms and undergo the suggested testing. Diabetes patients who suffer heart attack run very high risks of not living through it.

Leading Los Angeles Cardiology specialist say changing ones diet for the better will significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack even in diabetic patients. Although many people say that diabetic individuals should not eat sugar this is not necessarily true, like all other individuals they should consume from all the food groups but should exercise regularly. Taking a 15-30 minute walk will greatly improve the cardiovascular system improving ones heart health. Cardiovascular specialists suggest individuals take a 45 minute walk everyday for best cardiovascular improvement and reduce heart disease risks.

Diabetes and increased chances of heart disease

admin — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:26:51 +0000

Cardiologist – Prioritizing Your Health

admin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:16:34 +0000

For many Americans, health care may not be at the top of a priority list as we are all consumed by work, family, and errands in our daily lives. It often seems difficult to find the time to go for routine check-ups and in some cases; many don’t pay attention to health care until they feel something has gone wrong. With age, the chances of health problems increase as over time, the body takes on more stress. At around 50 years old, it is important to keep up with routine check-ups with your doctor to detect any irregularities in the body. For patients with a medical history including diabetes and high blood pressure among other things may begin more in-depth routine check-ups at a younger age. With a Cardiologist, patients are able to receive an evaluation of heart health so proactive steps can be taken if needed. Los Angeles Cardiology is prestigious with many highly-qualified cardiologists and state-of-the-art facilities. With a Heart Scan, cardiologists are able to detect any irregularities in the heart like abnormal heartbeats, clogged arteries, and any heart diseases that may exist. Heart scans should be made regularly to detect any irregularities or diseases sooner, rather than later. If a patient is experiencing any irregularities, a heart scan is also recommended by a doctor’s reference to a cardiologist.

Aside from heart scans, a Full Body Scan is also available to detect irregularities and diseases in the body. Detecting early signs of diseases with a full body scan is a preventative method to treat any diseases and to treat irregularities accordingly. Other testing such as Stress Testing, may also evaluate heart health by testing heart performance and using methods for heart imaging. Patients who engage themselves prioritizing their health care may complete an 11-second scan that may save their lives. Planning a routine check-up for things such as full body scans; reap health benefits that can be valued in the long run as any detection of disease can be treated early. With the latest technology in cardiology, medicine, and state-of-the-art medical facilities, prioritizing health care is now easier than ever.