Apexcardiology's Blog

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, with over 500,000 dying each year. Most women don’t even know they are at risk, nor do they seek early detection. Their first symptom is often a sudden heart attack or stroke, often leading to death.

Emerging technology has greatly increased the ability to diagnose, and treat heart disease in women. The newest and most effective device in heart scan technology is the 64-slice LightSpeed CT scanner. Coronary CT angiography in the office setting is a new cutting edge technology that safely diagnoses the female patient (especially those with atypical chest pains and multiple risk factors). The test takes only minutes to do and requires only a single breath hold. In a matter of minutes, the doctor will be able to review the results. The CT computer displays images as detailed three-dimensional pictures of the heart and even reveals the interior walls of the coronary arteries where the disease is located. The doctor then immediately begins an action plan to eradicate the disease.

The CT scan represents a cardiologist’s version of a mammogram in that it directly images the disease, and is a painless, noninvasive outpatient test which has an extremely high degree of accuracy. This enables the doctor to diagnose this silent killer earlier and as safely as possible. Radiation exposure exists but is kept to a minimum by using new dose modulation techniques.

Well known Los Angeles cardiologist Robert Chesne, M.D. of APEX Cardiology explains that “diagnosing coronary artery disease in women can be difficult to detect as the types of chest pain women have are not always the classic “crushing” chest pressure. Doctors have learned to be more complete in their diagnostic workup of both women with typical cardiac chest pain symptoms as well as those with atypical symptoms such as unexplained upper abdominal pain, shortness of breath, nausea and fatigue”.

Obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, family history and elevated “bad guy” cholesterol (LDL) are risk factors which negatively affect women and men equally. However, in regards to coronary disease, women are not simply “small men”. Diabetic women, for example, have five times the risk of developing heart disease than diabetic men.

APEX Cardiology in Inglewood, California is a nationally recognized leader in providing a full range of Los Angeleles cardiology services including the 64-slice CT Scanner.

Patients with painful, gangrenous peripheral artery disease commonly faced the real possibility of amputation. Now, a new generation of smaller, more flexible stents appears to be able to save the legs of these suffering individuals. Stents are tiny stainless-steel mesh coils that prop open endangered blood vessels in the leg.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the legs initially presents with symptoms of pain and cramping in the calf or thigh with activity. The disorder is seen in over 50 percent of people greater than 70 years of age. If not found, recommended with a full body scan, and treated, the disease can progress to skin ulcers and eventual gangrene as the blockages in the leg arteries progress. Up until now, these patients had few good options to choose from for treatment.

Historically, attempts to open these clogged leg arteries with balloon angioplasty and/or stenting techniques had not met with much success. Researchers from the University of Rochester in New York have recently reported that they have used newer, smaller and more flexible stents below the knee in an attempt to salvage the limb from amputation. They saved 43 of 57 limbs that were headed for certain amputation.

Centinela-Freeman Medical Center is participating in a national trial called the “Relax Study” in an attempt to corroborate these findings. By sparing the patient from a life-altering amputation, this non-surgical treatment offers new hope where previously there was none.

Mason Weiss, M.D., F.A.C.C., is a triple board certified physician with certification in internal medicine, general cardiology, and interventional cardiology Los Angeles. He has practiced medicine for 23 years and is a physician partner with the highly regarded APEX Cardiology team of physicians located at 501 East Hardy Street, Suite 200, Inglewood, California 90301

Main Office 310.672.3900
CT Office 310.672.9300
masonweiss@apexcardiology .com
www.apexcardiology.com

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.