My test results have been inconclusive. Is there something more definitive which could be done?
Dear Donna: Your condition is not so rare, but is difficult to define precisely. What we do which helps clarify...
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Is there any specific protocol to repeating echoes and/or cardiac MRI’s if normal results occur when first done?
Question #1: Answer: It all depends on the diagnosis. Some conditions evolve, and some evolve quicker than others, warranting repeat...
Isn’t my LV mass way above limits considering my entire heart weighs only 400g?
LV mass can be increased from a variety of causes, the most common of which is hypertensive heart disease. You...
Can a cardiologist notice or initially see LVH on a 12 lead EKG?
Dear Dave: LVH can be diagnosed with a 12 lead EKG, but echocardiography is more accurate.
Can nervousness affect an EKG?
Dear Dan, No, being nervous does not cause left bundle branch block. It may, however, show minor artifacts. Regards,
How can I know if my pain is a serious heart matter or PTS?
Dear Thea, I assume that you have seen a cardiologist and have had a stress test, an echocardiogram, and an...
In a coronary CT scan, what exactly does the LAD score and Plaque score mean?
Calcium in the coronary circulation roughly tracks the amount of plaque – the higher the score, the more plaque. Obviously,...
My father has a mechanical heart valve. Can he have an MRI for a shoulder problem?
Our MRI specialists tell us that mechanical heart valves currently available commercially are MRI-compatible. The facility where the MRI is...
What should I do for my newly diagnosed PDA?
A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is sometimes diagnosed as an incidental finding in adults, usually when this shunt is very...
How often should I have a nuclear stress test?
As of today CMS (Medicare) will only allow nuclear testing every 2 years, if the patient is asymptomatic. I believe...
What does 45% mean in an echo report?
The normal percentage of blood ejected from the heart is in the range of 50-70% depending on different factors. If...
Is there a way for my mother to qualify for the Lariat procedure?
Pam, They are correct that the risks of using the Lariat in patients with clot in the left atrial appendage...
