Frequently Asked Questions

Are there medicines or procedures to improve my EF which is 40%? As a heart patient, am I more at risk for getting COVID? Can COVID cause blood clots? Can COVID cause me to have heart issues, such as heart attack or arrhythmias? Can COVID-19 affect me even if I never develop symptoms? How does the coronavirus (Covid) affect my heart? If I am otherwise healthy, will contracting COVID put me at increased risk for heart disease later? Can You Elaborate on The Association Between Fatty Liver Disease And Cardiovascular Disease? If I’m Overweight at What Age Should I Start Being Concerned About Heart Disease? If I’m Overweight at What Age Should I Start Being Concerned About Heart Disease? Can You Elaborate on The Association Between Fatty Liver Disease And Cardiovascular Disease? If I’m Overweight at What Age Should I Start Being Concerned About Heart Disease? What Is Your Input Regarding the Mediterranean Diet Versus the Keto Diet? Is an aneurysmal interatrial septum similar to other aneurysms in the body? Is it okay to use Citalopram (Celexa) if one has an ascending aortic aneurysm and abnormal bileaflet valve? Is it prudent to delay more surgery until my aortic root aneurysm is 5.5cm? May I continue exercising even though I have an ascending aortic aneurysm? Are aortic aneurysms hereditary? I have a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Can I continue my firefighting career? I have Loeys-Dietz.  At what diameter would my aortic root warrant surgery? Is a new angiography necessary for my aunt? May I continue exercising even though I have an ascending aortic aneurysm? What does “prominent aortic knob” mean? What is the life expectance after successful repair of aortic dissection? Which test will best evaluate a bicuspid aortic valve and an aortic aneurysm? Is there a relationship between myocardial bridges and sudden cardiac arrest? What could cause my chest pain? What should I do for my chest pain? Is Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam the culprit which caused my cardiomyopathy? Is there a way for my mother to qualify for the Lariat procedure? Would a stent stabilize my carotid dissection? How safe do you consider Amiodarone to be? Is a person on Eloquis eligible to donate blood? Is it possible to have stroke-like symptoms with an aortic valve problem? What centimeter squared measurement is considered critical aortic stenosis? What is a porcelain aorta and how is it treated with aortic valve stenosis? What is causing my sister’s incessant nose bleeds? Would a stent stabilize my carotid dissection? Can I safely stop Deplatt (medicine) prior to cataract surgery? Could my itching and rash have been from Plavix? I am an active 22-year-old male that exercises regularly, but get palpitations and lightheadedness with exercise and at rest. An EKG has shown Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block. Should I be concerned? If one has 5-6 episodes of SVT in a year, would you recommend ablation or staying on medication? In treating atrial fibrillation, how does one decide between the Watchman procedure vs. the Lariat procedure?  Is it possible to have stroke-like symptoms with an aortic valve problem? Are my daughter’s symptoms from arrhythmias, new medicine, or something else? Are my extra heart beats normal? Are there any channel blockers that won’t cause serious side effects to gums? Can benign arrhythmias be symptomatic?  Are thousands of PACs per day common? Can bradycardia cause a headache that has lasted continuously (24 hours per day unless medicated) for the last 2 years? Can Wolff-Parkinson-White pathology be eliminated? Can you explain if/when junctional rhythm is a serious issue? Can you keep the left side of the heart from weakening when it is pacemaker dependent? Do heart problems arise more often in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients?  Do statin drugs or neuroendocrine cancer contribute to arrhythmias (SVT episodes)? Does high altitude affect atrial fibrillation? Does left anterior fascicular block require special attention? Does taking Atenolol long term alter normal sinus node function?  Am I addicted to Atenolol? Does Texas Heart Institute use stem cell therapies for treating heart disease? How is the heart stopped during open heart surgery? I had an ablation but am still having problems. What should I do? I have a junctional rhythm.  Is my SA node working some, and will my AV node fail next? I have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and the heart doctor said he could not do surgery. Why can’t he do something about this problem? If I defer ablation, do I have a greater chance of having a stroke? If I had a serious heart condition, would my 30 day MCOT be abnormal? If I have RBBB, can I still safely run a half marathon? Is it advisable to wait a few months to have my ICD implanted? Is it normal to have two beats together (since mine are not ‘skipped’ beats) ? Is it safe for someone with paroxysmal atrial fib (PAF) to take Aspirin 81 mg and Coumadin 5 mg? Is my mother’s life dependent upon the life of her pacemaker function? My heart speeds up, slows down, and frequently pounds.  Should I be concerned? PVC’s are frightening.  When do you go to the ER for them to be treated? Should I have a pacemaker?  I am very apprehensive. Should I have the Lariat procedure or Watchman device? Should I know what my blood viscosity is before starting aspirin? Since I have a history of arrhythmia, what is recommended for dental procedure anesthesia?  Though I no longer have palpitations, should I have a repeat of my cardiac tests since I formerly had NSVT? What are your comments about RF/EMF/EMR and associations to heart arrhythmic issues? What could be causing my slow heart rate and what should I do? What is happening when my daughter’s heart starts to race? What precautions should be taken after a permanent pacemaker has been implanted? What treatment options are there for one who has long q-t syndrome and narcolepsy? Which are life-threatening arrhythmias? Why does a person have high cholesterol in the arteries if it never showed up in blood exams? Are aspirin and Cardvas tabs appropriate treatment for mitral valve prolapse? Can any of my medications be discontinued now that I’ve had my heart valve replaced? Should I know what my blood viscosity is before starting aspirin? Why do I hear and feel my heart beat in my head? Can benign arrhythmias be symptomatic?  Are thousands of PACs per day common? Can the Lariat procedure aggravate atrial fibrillation?  Does high altitude have a negative effect on A-fib patients? Does taking salt help interrupt an episode of atrial fib? During a heart ablation, is the patient put under anesthesia so they do not move? How can I be sure my pacemaker is working? Is AV node ablation and a biventricular pacemaker a good option for controlling afib? Is Multaq better for afib than amiodarone? My heart speeds up, slows down, and frequently pounds.  Should I be concerned? Should I have the Lariat procedure or Watchman device? What are your comments about RF/EMF/EMR and associations to heart arrhythmic issues? What can help my husband get back to normal after new onset atrial fib and a pacemaker? What is a normal down time for recovery after a Lariat procedure? What is causing my difficulty breathing upon exertion? Can stents be cleaned out if needed? For coronary artery disease, is ballooning or stenting better? For patients with stents, are there alternatives to Plavix?   I have an LAD muscle bridge.  Why would surgical repair not be offered? Is it common to have low energy after a stent procedure? Is there a different beta blocker that works as well as atenolol but without side effects? Is there a limit on the total number of stents that should be implanted? My friend has had 5 stents placed in his heart, and was fine for the first week.  He again had chest pain, returned to the hospital, and all testing was negative.  He still has chest pain when he eats.  What could be causing this? Please answer our questions about global hypokinesis. Are there medicines or procedures to improve my EF which is 40%? Is medication or radiofrequency ablation the generally preferred option for treating SVT? Is there a different beta blocker that works as well as atenolol but without side effects? Should we increase my father’s metoprolol? The medication my doctor prescribed is making me feel worse. Can I safely stop it? What other treatments are available for controlling atrial fib? Why does a person have high cholesterol in the arteries if it never showed up in blood exams? Will donating blood reduce my blood pressure? How can I help my daughter with her high blood pressure?  She has had it since age 12. I was adopted at birth and do not know my genetic history. Is it important for me to see a cardiologist at any time? If diagnosed with left bundle branch block, is there a medication that can be taken for sleep? What can I do for uncontrolled hypertension? How does one know the true systolic number of a blood pressure? Why lower one’s blood pressure if the heart is working at 25% capacity? Are blood transfusions always venous blood rather than arterial? Do you know what could cause pressure in my son’s chest and head? How can I help regulate my INR with my diet? I was adopted at birth and do not know my genetic history. Is it important for me to see a cardiologist at any time? If diagnosed with left bundle branch block, is there a medication that can be taken for sleep? Is my father experiencing side effects from blood thinners? Is there a way to counteract the effect of blood-thinning medications such as Plavix and Xarelto? Are blood transfusions always venous blood rather than arterial? Can LBBB be the cause of my shortness of breath? How long should I keep the IVC filter inserted? Is it okay to stop blood thinners after having a tissue valve implanted? Are there any channel blockers that won’t cause serious side effects to gums? Can cardiac MRI technology distinguish between viral and congenital causes of heart failure? Can left bundle branch block be reversed? How can one naturally lower an elevated CRP count? I have Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block (IRBBB). Can I take Lexapro? If I have RBBB, can I still safely run a half marathon? Is ciprofloxacin okay to take if I have an incomplete right bundle branch block? Is it dangerous to carry a child to full-term with a LBBB but no other heart problems? Is it safe to have surgery to repair a rotator cuff tear and bicep tear if I have right bundle branch block (RBBB)? Is it safe to take prescribed phentermine in the presence of known right bundle branch block (RBBB)? What causes coronary spasm and how is it best managed? What is incomplete right bundle branch block?  What treatment do I need for a right bundle branch block? With a family history of bundle branch block, am I likely to have the same? Is there a correlation between results of CMRI and Calcium Score? Why is MRI necessary when my cath showed normal coronaries and valves?  Can a contrast dye other than iodine be used in a heart cath? For a bicuspid aortic valve, is minimally invasive AVR or conventional AVR better? Is this artery amenable to PCI? Can cardiac MRI technology distinguish between viral and congenital causes of heart failure? Can left bundle branch block be reversed? Can you help me determine my probability for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)?  Do statin drugs or neuroendocrine cancer contribute to arrhythmias (SVT episodes)? How long does it take to recover from viral myocarditis? Is there a correlation between results of CMRI and Calcium Score? Is there any specific protocol to repeating echoes and/or cardiac MRI’s if normal results occur when first done? Is this considered an aneurysm or just consistent with acromegaly? My father has a mechanical heart valve. Can he have an MRI for a shoulder problem? My heart disease may be related to radiation I had for breast cancer. How dangerous is this? Should I be concerned about a diagnosis of right ventricular dysplasia? Should I see a cardiologist to evaluate my aorta? What is the general progression of mitral valve disease in a young healthy adult? Why is MRI necessary when my cath showed normal coronaries and valves?  Can skipped beats from stress eventually cause more serious heart issues? Is there a correlation between results of CMRI and Calcium Score? Is there any specific protocol to repeating echoes and/or cardiac MRI’s if normal results occur when first done? Is this considered an aneurysm or just consistent with acromegaly? My father has a mechanical heart valve. Can he have an MRI for a shoulder problem? Should I be concerned about a diagnosis of right ventricular dysplasia? What is the normal result for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)? Do I have congestive heart failure? Due to his HCM, my son can no longer play sports.  How can I help him cope? I am a young father, and I have been diagnosed with Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy, now with a BiV pacemaker.  My heart function has improved from <20% to 40%.  I take my medications, but wonder if there are possible stem cell/regenerative treatments for someone like me in the near future? If I continue my current drinking habits, what do you think will happen to me? Is Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam the culprit which caused my cardiomyopathy? Our father died of cardiomyopathy. Could this be hereditary / a concern for my sister and me? What can you tell me about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? What should I do about my ectatic coronary arteries? Will you answer my questions about Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, please? For coronary artery disease, is ballooning or stenting better? For patients with stents, are there alternatives to Plavix?   I have an LAD muscle bridge.  Why would surgical repair not be offered? Is there a limit on the total number of stents that should be implanted? My friend has had 5 stents placed in his heart, and was fine for the first week.  He again had chest pain, returned to the hospital, and all testing was negative.  He still has chest pain when he eats.  What could be causing this? Please answer our questions about global hypokinesis. Do statin drugs or neuroendocrine cancer contribute to arrhythmias (SVT episodes)? How can coughing cause my father’s unusual episodes? Would a stent stabilize my carotid dissection? Is there a level of urgency with my husband’s situation? I have an IVC filter.  Can I still have an ablation with it? If I defer ablation, do I have a greater chance of having a stroke? Should I have the Lariat procedure or Watchman device? What could be causing my slow heart rate and what should I do? What is a normal down time for recovery after a Lariat procedure? Can You Elaborate on The Association Between Fatty Liver Disease And Cardiovascular Disease? Does Texas Heart Institute use stem cell therapies for treating heart disease? Why are my efforts with diet and exercise not enough to improve results of my lipid profile? Are there programs in Houston to lower cholesterol naturally (that follow up with blood tests to see if they are working)? Do I really need to be on a statin? Do statin drugs or neuroendocrine cancer contribute to arrhythmias (SVT episodes)? Does Texas Heart Institute use stem cell therapies for treating heart disease? Why are my efforts with diet and exercise not enough to improve results of my lipid profile? Is it possible to do a coarctation repair without using the heart/lung machine? Should I have my sternal wires removed?  Am I interpreting my CT angio score correctly? Can skipped beats from stress eventually cause more serious heart issues? Could an LAD bridge with extreme exercise induce an elevated troponin level? How can you know if symptoms are related to an IVC filter? How much radiation does one receive during a SPECT-CT scan? In a coronary CT scan, what exactly does the LAD score and Plaque score mean? Is 45.9 a good score on a heart scan? Is this considered an aneurysm or just consistent with acromegaly? Should I be concerned about a pulmonary artery measuring 4.2 cm? Should I see a cardiologist to evaluate my aorta? What should I do for my newly diagnosed PDA? Which test will best evaluate a bicuspid aortic valve and an aortic aneurysm? Are there currently any biventricular heart assist devices used as destination therapy for patients with end stage CHF? If so, does your institute use them? How can I prevent my heart from further damage regarding concentric left ventricular hypertrophy?  Will EECP help? How does one obtain ideal echo images for a person who has congenital heart disease and unusual anatomy? Is heart transplant a reasonable option for my father who is 67? Is it accurate that a structurally normal heart can generally withstand palpitations better than a heart which has defects? Is opening a chronic, total occlusion of a coronary artery always the right thing to do? My son had viral endocarditis with a noncompacted left ventricle.  Is he a candidate for stem cell clinical trials? Should I have my sternal wires removed?  Am I interpreting my CT angio score correctly? Are coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, atherosclerotic heart disease and ischemic heart disease the same? Can stem cells be used to grow new arteries when a bypass gets blocked? Do medicines reduce the percentage of blocked arteries? How should my mom’s hernia after minimally invasive bypass surgery be corrected? Is it possible when RCA is blocked that it is supported by others? May a patient safely take Allegra after coronary bypass and heart valve replacement surgery? Must surgery be delayed because of shingles? What determines if you are a candidate for the minimally invasive bypass surgery? What keeps coronary artery bypasses from leaking? Which is the best hypertensive drug for a type 2 diabetic woman? Why do my mother’s body and hands shake after heart bypass surgery? Will continued use of Effient benefit me? With a history of bypass surgery and no cardiologist immediately available to me now, how often should I exercise on a treadmill? Do medicines reduce the percentage of blocked arteries? Do statin drugs or neuroendocrine cancer contribute to arrhythmias (SVT episodes)? Do you have experience with anomalous origin of the coronary arteries? Does a normal stress test rule out coronary artery blockages, if RBBB and chest pain are present? How do you approach management of anomalous right coronary arteries? I apparently have arteries growing around a blockage. What does that mean? I don’t think I had a heart attack, but my EKG suggests it. Please explain the result. Is a cold area above my elbow a sign of a blocked artery? Is Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam the culprit which caused my cardiomyopathy? Is it common to have low energy after a stent procedure? Is it possible when RCA is blocked that it is supported by others? What causes coronary spasm and how is it best managed? What happens when a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) fails to mature? What keeps coronary artery bypasses from leaking? When speaking of heart disease, what is the Widowmaker? When will the “Absorb” stent be available to the public? Where can I get information regarding anomalous origin of the right coronary artery? Will continued use of Effient benefit me? With my family’s cardiac history, what should I do to be proactive about my health? What causes coronary spasm and how is it best managed? Can PFO closures be done successfully in diabetics? Can Ramipril be prescribed for a hypertensive woman who has diabetes? What can be done to keep ‘diabetic’ arteries from getting smaller? Which is the best hypertensive drug for a type 2 diabetic woman? Will a patient with diabetes who receives a drug coated stent have a greater risk of infection? My test results have been inconclusive.  Is there something more definitive which could be done? On chest x-ray, what is an aortic knob? Should my diastolic pressure change when I stand up?  What is a prominent cardiac silhouette and what is CTR? Can you help me determine my probability for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)?  Do these echo results imply heart failure? Do you think Diastolic Dysfunction stage 1 is over diagnosed? Does a normal EKG eliminate or reduce the chances of having diastolic heart failure? I am athletic.  Should I be concerned about a false positive result on EKG? Is it possible to reverse my diastolic dysfunction or make it worse with exercise? Is it safe to take Nugenix in the presence of CHF? What is the significance of a thickened aortic root and aortic leaflets? If I have a 10% EF, why don’t I have loss of energy? With mild aortic valve disease, can I push myself [running] without danger? Can you do a TAVR procedure on someone with a bicuspid aortic valve? How should my tiny leak in my aortic valve be managed? I have a leaking aortic valve with palpations only. When should I have surgery? Is it possible to have stroke-like symptoms with an aortic valve problem? Is my lifestyle a significant contributory factor in/to my enlarged ascending aorta? What is the general progression of mitral valve disease in a young healthy adult? What is a false cord, and should it be repaired (tricuspid valve)? Which is worse a leaking aortic or mitral valve? Can you explain when to have surgery for mitral regurgitation? What can you tell me about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? What is a prominent cardiac silhouette and what is CTR? What screening should my son have? A murmur was discovered today during his athletic physical exam. Which test will best evaluate a bicuspid aortic valve and an aortic aneurysm? Can I sit up for an echocardiogram? Do I have a severe heart problem? Do these echo results imply heart failure? Does left atrial volume index change on a daily basis? Heart diseases of different kinds seem to run in my family. Should I have an echocardiogram? How can I know if my pain is a serious heart matter or PTS? How should my tiny leak in my aortic valve be managed? I am athletic.  Should I be concerned about a false positive result on EKG? I am confused – did both of my echoes measure the same thing? I have been short of breath walking from one room to another.  My echocardiogram showed worsening of my aortic regurgitation, going from mild to moderate-severe over the last year.  LVEF is 60 – 65%.  Mild LVH.  AV is sclerotic.  I am worried.  What are your recommendations? Is 80% EF good or dangerous? Is it possible that my symptoms could indicate a problem even though the echo showed normal function? Is it reasonable to have an echo done to evaluate my palpitations? Is the dyskinetic area of my ventricle likely to rupture? Is there a medication that will specifically address ventricular hypertrophy, apart from antihypertensives? Is thickening of the heart wall a concern?  Isn’t my LV mass way above limits considering my entire heart weighs only 400g? Should I worry about my echo Doppler results?  My doctor said it is a “normal variant.” Should my daughter see a conduction specialist for her near fainting? What does 45% mean in an echo report? What is a normal reading of the left ventricular ejection fraction? When is an echocardiogram necessary? Can a cardiologist notice or initially see LVH on a 12 lead EKG? Can nervousness affect an EKG? Could I have had a heart attack (shown on EKG) and not know it?  Could my esophagus be related to my dizziness? Could my husband’s chest pain be heart related, even with a normal EKG? Does anyone anywhere perform transradial cardiac ablations for atrial flutter? I am athletic.  Should I be concerned about a false positive result on EKG? In EKGs, what is diffuse J-point elevation and what causes it? Is there a relationship between PFO’s and heart attacks? Is there a relationship between untreated sleep apnea and right axis deviation on EKG? What does ‘loss of anterior precordial forces’ mean in an EKG result? What is a borderline EKG? Does summer heat affect leaking heart valves? Do dental braces pose a higher risk for endocarditis in one who has had VSD repair? Can cardiac MRI technology distinguish between viral and congenital causes of heart failure? Can too high blood pressure damage coronary bypass grafts? Do you know what could cause pressure in my son’s chest and head? How can one naturally lower an elevated CRP count? I continue to have chest pain at rest and with exercise, and also notice palpitations. I have been given permission to continue on with regular activities and exercise. Should I be concerned? I have a small perforation of the mitral valve leaflet.  Can I exercise? I have trace fluids around my heart. What kinds of exercise can I safely do? I’m just starting to exercise to lose weight.  Is my elevated heart rate dangerous? Is a heart rate of 146-155 too high when using an elliptical machine? Is there radiation in treadmill stress testing? What is a magnified heart and atheromatous aorta? Why do I hear and feel my heart beat in my head? Can you help me understand the results of a stress test? What are they looking for?  Could symptoms of a burning feeling in the chest be due to blockage?   I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome? I have tried remedies the doctors have prescribed, including IV fluids, medicine and exercise. Can you recommend any other treatment? Is it advisable for one to have a chemical stress test if he has leaking heart valves? Is my father experiencing side effects from blood thinners? Is my heart ok? My tests are normal but I have random chest pain. What can cure inducible ischemia? Will the radioactive tracer used in a gamma scan of my heart cause problems to my liver? What could be causing my husband’s lack of energy a year after his heart attack?  What is the difference between a Lexistress test and a MUGA scan?  Am I likely to have a heart attack because of impaired coronary reserve? Can anything be done to prevent an impending heart attack? Can vascular necrosis cause a heart attack? Could I have had a heart attack (shown on EKG) and not know it?  Does “possible anterior infarct, age undetermined” mean I may have had a heart attack? Does a normal stress test rule out coronary artery blockages, if RBBB and chest pain are present? I don’t think I had a heart attack, but my EKG suggests it. Please explain the result. Is Cardiovascular Disease Still the Number One Killer? Is there a relationship between heart disease and perspiration? Is there a relationship between PFO’s and heart attacks? Should my mother wait a month after her heart attack to have bypass surgery? What is concentric remodeling of the left ventricle with adequate systolic function? What is n-stemi? What is the difference between “sudden cardiac arrest” and a heart attack? What might explain my elevated Troponin level? What vessel is considered the “widowmaker” ? Why is my husband on multiple medications after his heart attack? Why would avocados be limited in my father’s diet after a heart attack? Are my symptoms early signs of CHF? Can a person have congestive heart failure with only slight cough and shortness of breath? Could Cardura be the cause of this patient’s CHF? Could exposure to the flu vaccine have triggered my weak heart muscle? Do I have congestive heart failure? Do these echo results imply heart failure? Do you always have diastolic heart failure if systolic heart failure is present? Does CPAP work on cardiac wheezing?  If so, how does it help? Does ejection fraction (EF) vary depending upon altitude? How is the heart stopped during open heart surgery? If I continue my current drinking habits, what do you think will happen to me? Is it possible to do a coarctation repair without using the heart/lung machine? Is it safe to take Nugenix in the presence of CHF? Is this considered an aneurysm or just consistent with acromegaly? My EF went from 40 to 30-35 since February. Should I be concerned? My heart function is only 30%.  What can I do to improve it? Please help me understand the stages of heart failure. What are the signs and symptoms of a person having a congenital heart disease? What is the best way to treat my CHF and left ventricular prolapse? Why is there a 3 month waiting period for an ICD for people in heart failure? Can a ventricular septal aneurysm cause chest pain? Is surgery warranted? How long does it take to fully return to normal after open heart surgery? Is a third open heart surgery possible for my father-in-law? Is heart transplant a reasonable option for my father who is 67? Is preemptive heart surgery an option? Must surgery be delayed because of shingles? Can a child receive a heart transplant from an adult? Is a transplant candidate able to move to another state and associate with a different transplant team? May a patient reside in an assisted living facility while awaiting heart transplantation? Do I have a serious valve condition that will require surgery?  For a bicuspid aortic valve, is minimally invasive AVR or conventional AVR better? What effect will my teeth (cavities) have on my heart valve surgery? Can too high blood pressure damage coronary bypass grafts? I am a 26 year old woman pregnant with my 4th child. I am feeling extra heart beats throughout the day.  I have cut out caffeine, but this has not helped.  My blood pressure is normal, and my heart rate is 70 – 80 bpm.  Should I  be worried about this? Is Cardiovascular Disease Still the Number One Killer? Is there a connection between my history of high blood pressure and PVCs, and my drop in LV ejection fraction? Why are blood pressures different in one arm versus the other? My heart feels like it is vibrating.  What should I do? What can I do about my elevated heart rate? Will stressful events influence the results on my Holter monitor? With episodes of my heart racing, can I safely undergo anesthesia? Can Ramipril be prescribed for a hypertensive woman who has diabetes? Could my hyperthyroidism be the cause of my heart problems? Despite taking my blood pressure medication, my blood pressure continues to be very high in the morning.  I am very active, and otherwise healthy, and wonder what I can do to control it better? Do I have pulmonary hypertension and will it affect my ability to become pregnant? Do I have pulmonary hypertension? Does an aortic measurement of 2.9 and a left atrium measurement of 3.78 indicate pulmonary hypertension? How can I help my daughter with her high blood pressure?  She has had it since age 12. I had a chest xray performed and they found Aortic Ectasia and calcification but no acute infiltrate, atelectasis or effusion. My PCP is doing nothing further nor did he refer me to see a heart doctor. What should I do? I have a severely dilated left atrium.  What does the doctor mean when he says “we’ll watch it” ? I have had high blood pressure for the last year. What antihypertensive medications do not lower heart rate? I have tried several different medications, and have had episodes of severe dizziness and almost fainting with heavy activity and also exposure to the heat. I have made several trips to the ER with these episodes with a low heart rate and low blood pressure. My doctor has had no success with different medications in preventing these episodes. Can you advise us what to do next? I have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and the heart doctor said he could not do surgery. Why can’t he do something about this problem? Is Cardiovascular Disease Still the Number One Killer? Is elevated diastolic pressure related to coarctation or bicuspid aortic valve? Is LVH really bad? Is my lifestyle a significant contributory factor in/to my enlarged ascending aorta? May a patient safely take Allegra after coronary bypass and heart valve replacement surgery? My bradycardia is getting worse.  What can I do? Should I keep pursuing some avenue of treatment for high blood pressure? What can I do for uncontrolled hypertension? What effect will very high blood pressure caused by sleep apnea have on my heart? What is the treatment for pulmonary hypertension? Could it be caused by radiation damage? Will donating blood reduce my blood pressure? For how long will repair with a Dacron sleeve protect a dissected aorta? I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Why do I have a dilated left atrium? Is thickening of the heart wall a concern?  Is Cardiovascular Disease Still the Number One Killer? Does altitude affect ICD performance? Is it a complicated procedure to move the ICD to the RIGHT side? I’m to have radiation on the left. Is it advisable to wait a few months to have my ICD implanted? Is it possible to disconnect the defibrillator feature from an ICD and leave the pacemaker functioning? Is my mother’s life dependent upon the life of her pacemaker function? Is there any new treatment for long QT syndrome? Why is there a 3 month waiting period for an ICD for people in heart failure? Are my symptoms consistent with atherosclerosis? My mom’s heart is working 25%.  Is this serious? Is there any laparoscopic procedure that will fix a mitral valve hinge tear? Is there a level of urgency with my husband’s situation? Can Effient affect menstrual bleeding? Does this scenario require antibiotics? Is there a different beta blocker that works as well as atenolol but without side effects? Can iron supplementation cause heart damage? Are aspirin and Cardvas tabs appropriate treatment for mitral valve prolapse? Can someone have mitral valve prolapse years ago and not now? Can the aortic and mitral valves both be replaced at the same procedure via the TAVR approach? Do I have a serious valve condition that will require surgery?  I have a small perforation of the mitral valve leaflet.  Can I exercise? Is it safe to have EECP treatment with regurgitation in the mitral, tricuspid and pulmonic valves? Is there any correlation between degree/progression of mitral regurgitation and type of prolapse? Is there any laparoscopic procedure that will fix a mitral valve hinge tear? Should I be worried about my weight? What screening should my son have? A murmur was discovered today during his athletic physical exam. Can a coronary blockage be caused by myocardial bridge? Is myocardial bridging hereditary? Is there a different beta blocker that works as well as atenolol but without side effects? Is there a relationship between myocardial bridges and sudden cardiac arrest? Why did my symptoms re: myocardial bridge show up now? How long does it take to recover from viral myocarditis? Is it likely that my myocarditis will recur? What is myocardial noncompaction? What technology is used to administer stem cell treatments to the heart? Can a man have a problem with his heart that doesn’t show up on a nuclear stress test? Can you help me understand the results of a stress test? What are they looking for?  Does breast tissue prevent obtaining an accurate result from a nuclear stress test? How often should I have a nuclear stress test? I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome? I have tried remedies the doctors have prescribed, including IV fluids, medicine and exercise. Can you recommend any other treatment? Is it reasonable to reach a heart rate of 166 in a nuclear stress test? Is my heart ok? My tests are normal but I have random chest pain. Is there a relationship between myocardial bridges and sudden cardiac arrest? Please help me understand MPI with Lexiscan. Should I expect additional testing? I have stress-induced wall motion abnormalities on stress echo. What are attenuation artifacts? What can cure inducible ischemia? What could be causing my husband’s lack of energy a year after his heart attack?  What does “dead back of the heart” mean? What does “Diaphragmatic attenuation artifact corrected with prone imaging is present” mean on a nuclear stress test report? Which test is better, a nuclear stress test or CCTV? Will the radioactive tracer used in a gamma scan of my heart cause problems to my liver? Would it be my best interest to request another stress test? Can iron supplementation cause heart damage? If I’m Overweight at What Age Should I Start Being Concerned About Heart Disease? Is it safe to juice? Does anyone anywhere perform transradial cardiac ablations for atrial flutter? Is there a relationship between untreated sleep apnea and right axis deviation on EKG? Can a pacemaker cause some temporarily negative effect in left ventricular output? Can you keep the left side of the heart from weakening when it is pacemaker dependent? How can I be sure my pacemaker is working? Is AV node ablation and a biventricular pacemaker a good option for controlling afib? Is it possible to disconnect the defibrillator feature from an ICD and leave the pacemaker functioning? Is my mother’s life dependent upon the life of her pacemaker function? Should I have a pacemaker?  I am very apprehensive. What can help my husband get back to normal after new onset atrial fib and a pacemaker? Will using an infrared heat sauna cause any problems with the wires? Is an aneurysmal interatrial septum similar to other aneurysms in the body? Why is my husband on multiple medications after his heart attack? Can the Lariat procedure aggravate atrial fibrillation?  How serious is pericarditis and how is it treated? What surgery would most commonly be done for my daughter’s large VSD? When does constrictive pericarditis warrant surgery? Is it possible to do a coarctation repair without using the heart/lung machine? How can coughing cause my father’s unusual episodes? What are the signs that one is recovering after heart surgery? Why would avocados be limited in my father’s diet after a heart attack? I am a healthy 67 yr old female with a 4.6 cm ascending aortic aneurysm 4.6 cm. and no plaque. Could my rheumatic fever as a child cause this? Can a 50% blockage of the LAD be treated with medicine instead of a stent? Can a coronary calcium score be correlated with age? Can you tell me what my symptoms represent? If I continue my current drinking habits, what do you think will happen to me? Is Cardiovascular Disease Still the Number One Killer? My condition and history are complicated and high risk. Can you advise me how to proceed? What can I do to keep my aorta from enlarging? What Is Your Input Regarding the Mediterranean Diet Versus the Keto Diet? Are there medicines or procedures to improve my EF which is 40%? Do these findings constitute a subendocardial infarction? Is a grade 1 mild reversible defect in the anterior apical segment of the left ventricle considered an area of ischemia? What does inducible ischemia mean? Does smoking or using marijuana help pulmonary hypertension or is it deleterious to the condition? Are there programs in Houston to lower cholesterol naturally (that follow up with blood tests to see if they are working)? Do I really need to be on a statin? Do statin drugs or neuroendocrine cancer contribute to arrhythmias (SVT episodes)? Do I need to take statins? Is there any evidence that statins help regarding carotid occlusive disease? My LDL is 109. Should I take a statin? Is it possible to laser a stent in the hope of reopening it? What can I do for persistent symptoms after my STEMI and stent? Why is thrombectomy/angioplasty just as effective as stent placement? Would a stent stabilize my carotid dissection? Does breast tissue prevent obtaining an accurate result from a nuclear stress test? For a stress echo test, how do you determine if you use dobutamine or adenosine? Is another stress echo necessary? Is my heart ok? My tests are normal but I have random chest pain. My dobutamine stress echocardiogram revealed no inducible abnormal wall motion, but was interpreted as abnormal. Is this possible? What can cure inducible ischemia? What does “Diaphragmatic attenuation artifact corrected with prone imaging is present” mean on a nuclear stress test report? Will the radioactive tracer used in a gamma scan of my heart cause problems to my liver? Is it possible to have stroke-like symptoms with an aortic valve problem? What effect will very high blood pressure caused by sleep apnea have on my heart? What is causing my sister’s incessant nose bleeds? Is it possible for a person on a ventilator to go into cardiac arrest? What are your recommendations for taking omega-3 supplements? Can my stenotic, bovine aortic valve be corrected by TAVI? Does yawning have anything to do with an erratic heart rate or leaking heart valve? For a bicuspid aortic valve, is minimally invasive AVR or conventional AVR better? From a severity standpoint, is it okay to wait 6 weeks to have this evaluated? How do LA volume indices and LA diameter measurements relate to my mild mitral regurgitation? Is it possible to have stroke-like symptoms with an aortic valve problem? Is pulmonary regurgitation reversible? What does mild thickening/mild aortic regurgitation mean?  I have HELLP syndrome. What is the general progression of mitral valve disease in a young healthy adult? What should I do about bilateral apical pleural thickening? Why do biologic valves break down faster in children or young adults? Are coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, atherosclerotic heart disease and ischemic heart disease the same? Are there any robotic procedures for pulmonary valve replacement on a person with Tetralogy of Fallot? Are there reliable, safe, minimally invasive repairs available for paravalvular leak? Are transcatheter repairs of mitral or tricuspid valves being done? Can / should a postop leak of a heart valve be repaired? Can any of my medications be discontinued now that I’ve had my heart valve replaced? Can TAVR replace a mechanical aortic valve that was put in place 13 years ago? Do I need to have AVR soon, and if so, can I have a TAVR? Does the TAVR procedure require taking drugs to prevent rejection? Does your hospital do many aortic repairs? For a bicuspid aortic valve, is minimally invasive AVR or conventional AVR better? How common is it for three heart valves to be replaced successfully? How different is heart valve replacement from CABG? How long should I keep the IVC filter inserted? How many times can a biologic heart valve be replaced? Is a new angiography necessary for my aunt? Is breathlessness normal after AVR? Is it normal to have problems with other heart valves after MVR? Is it possible to have stroke-like symptoms with an aortic valve problem? Is robotic surgery safer than open heart surgery for aortic valve replacement? Is subcutaneous aortic valve replacement viable? Is Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) an FDA approved operation? Should I have repeat mitral valve surgery now? What kind of life span and quality can a 72-year-old man expect after AVR? What, if anything, can help my son sleep better? He hears the clicking of his valve. When is an operation necessary on an ectatic aorta? Will my bicuspid aortic valve require replacement? How can I help regulate my INR with my diet? Are my symptoms consistent with atherosclerosis? Is vulnerable plaque different from regular plaque (as in coronary arteries?) Are my health problems reversible since I have stopped the medications that caused them? Is Cardiovascular Disease Still the Number One Killer? Can joint pain supplements also help to reduce inflammation that may cause heart disease? Do I have other options than a lung transplant? Does breast tissue prevent obtaining an accurate result from a nuclear stress test? I have a severely dilated left atrium.  What does the doctor mean when he says “we’ll watch it” ? Is Cardiovascular Disease Still the Number One Killer? Is my left atrium too large for my age?  I delivered a baby 4 months ago. My condition and history are complicated and high risk. Can you advise me how to proceed? My heart disease may be related to radiation I had for breast cancer. How dangerous is this? What does “Diaphragmatic attenuation artifact corrected with prone imaging is present” mean on a nuclear stress test report? What is your opinion on estrogen replacement where heart health is concerned? What should I do about palpitations during my pregnancy? Would a stent stabilize my carotid dissection?