Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Question: My mother-in-law is 64 years old . She has HOCM for the last 3 years with mild to moderate MR and mild LV diastolic dysfunction. She has recently become symptomatic. When she was in the US 3 months back she was admitted in the emergency when she had severe gas, burps, profuse sweating, breathlessness and black-outs. At …
Rolled Lasagna with fresh ricotta and smoked mozzarella
Last week I stayed with my son and his fiancée on their farm in northern Maine. As usual when I visit, dinner becomes a food fest as well as a social adventure: (among others) he also has a graduate degree from a culinary institute and cooks like a dream come true. These two are believers of organic produce; most comes …
What is QTc and Long QT syndrome (LQTS)?
Question: If I have QT 380, what is the QTc duration?And what you think about overstimation of QT if U wave is present? And derive the present ECG machines conduction intervals from lead II?
My EKG shows a Bundle Branch Block. What does it mean?
Bundle Branch Block I found this great article written by Richard N. Fogoros, M.D., About.com Guide, November 26, 2003, that I reprint here: Causes, significance, and treatment Bundle branch block (BBB) is a relatively frequent finding on the electrocardiogram (ECG). Sometimes BBB itself needs to be treated; sometimes it indicates significant underlying cardiac disease that needs to be treated; and sometimes …
Why does my heart beat harder and flutter every time I lay down?
Answer: The first thing to find out is whether this is a real rhythm problem or not (I suspect not). Some of it may have to do with the shape of your body and your emotional state when you feel these flutters. Most people feel their heart on occasion and for a few it may be uncomfortable when it happens. …
Optimal Medical Therapy, what is it anyway?
In a number of articles and blogs I have talked about Optimal Medical Therapy (OMT), but what is OMT? Isn’t every treatment by your doctors “optimal”?
How long does a Pericardial Effusion take to go away?
A pericardial effusion and its treatment depends on the cause.The pericardium is a thin sac that surrounds your heart and protects it within your chest cavity together with your ribcage. Normally it has a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant and protects your heart from rubbing against the surrounding tissues. An effusion occurs if there is more …
I get lightheaded when I have PVCs
Question: I’ve been having some lightheadedness with my PVC’s, and I passed out once. What should I do?
What type of surgery for arrhythmias can be done?
Some people have abnormal “spots” in the heart that may be the cause of ventricular arrhythmias. Such patients can sometimes be treated by removing or destroying that area of the heart. This is a very specialized area of medicine requiring cardiologists and/or cardiac surgeons with special expertise.
What medications are used for treatment of PVCs?
Beta-blockers (there are many of them) have been shown to cut down both on symptomatic PVC’s in some patients, as well as decrease the risk of sudden death in high-risk patients. In terms of treatment for the palpitations associated with PVC’s, they can often be quite effective but do have side effects which may require their discontinuation.