What topics I am going to cover in this blog.

(Know truth and myths about your heart, cardiovascular tests, and treatment options)




I. Introduction. Are you sure you and your cardiologist speak the same language? Don’t be so sure.

II. Know your heart

i. Structure of the heart and blood vessels and how they work.

ii. Why your heart/blood vessels may get sick (risk factors for heart disease and how they lead to illness).

iii. Most common diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

iv. Symptoms of most common cardiovascular diseases (know what to look for).

III. What is Framingham score and how to interpret it?

IV. When do you need to see a cardiologist?

V. When do you need to go to the emergency room?



THIS SECTION CONTAINS IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION ABOUT CHEST COMPRESSIONS-ONLY CPR FOR A WITNESSED SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST VICTIM!!!



VI. What are those tests doctors use to check your heart and blood vessels? Are they using me as a guinea pig? Vs. I really need it!

a. Blood work

i. Cardiac enzymes

ii. Cholesterol profile

iii. C-reactive protein

iv. Homocysteine

v. Thyroid profile

vi. Iron tests

vii. Others

b. Non-invasive diagnostic tests

i. Electrocardiogram (ECG)

ii. Chest X-ray

iii. Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)

iv. Carotid ultrasound

v. Peripheral arterial ultrasound

vi. Venous studies

vii. Stress test

1. Treadmill

2. Treadmill with nuclear imaging

3. Stress-echocardiogram

4. Dobutamine-stress echocardiogram

5. Chemical stress test

• Calcium score (EBCT)

• 64-slice CT (CT-angiogram)

• Cardiac MRI

c. Invasive diagnostic tests

i. Cardiac catheterization

ii. Peripheral vascular angiogram

iii. Angiogram of aorta and large vessels

iv. Carotid angiogram

v. Right heart catheterization

vi. Transesophgeal echocardiogram (really, not that “invasive”!)

VII. How will they treat you? Know your treatment options! Make an educated choice!

VIII. Informed consent for special treatments and procedures.

IX. How to prevent cardiovascular disease. How to ignore media myths and invest your time and money wisely.

a. Weight.

b. Comparison of common diets.

c. Diet drugs

d. Exercise

e. Vitamins/supplements

f. Diabetes control and prevention.

g. High blood pressure control and prevention

h. High cholesterol control and prevention

i. Family history of heart disease: how to beat the odds?

j. Smoking: why it is bad and how to quit.

k. Stress management.

l. Sex: benefits for your heart.

m. Drugs for erectile dysfunction: is Viagra good for you?

X. Does gender matter? (Are men really different from women?).

XI. Common mistakes and misconceptions to avoid. Is your cardiologist your friend?