Aortic dissection

Dr T Ask Doctor T, Chest Pain, Diagnosis, Therapy, Treatment 1 Comment

Introduction Aortic dissection results from a tear in the inner layer of the aortic wall (called intimal tear). Blood pumped from the heart into the aorta pushes the layers further apart in an upstream or downstream direction (or both, see below) and block side branches that may include Your coronary arteries, causing a heart attack Arteries to your brain , …

High Cholesterol, high HDL, low triglycerides

Dr T Ask Doctor T, Cardiac Risks 54 Comments

 Question:   I’d like to ask a question about my recent cholesterol test results.  I had it tested for the first time ever recently.  I am a 38-yr-old female, 5’3″ and 115 lbs, no known health issues.  I do cardio exercise 4 -6 days a week for a half hour.  My diet is fairly healthy, as I actively avoid high …

Broken Heart Syndrome

Dr T Ask Doctor T, Cardiac Risks, Chest Pain 1 Comment

Question:    Hi. Can you please explain the difference between a heart attack and Broken Heart Syndrome.  My daughter had a baby and then the next day was told she was having a heart attack.  Her cardiac enzymes did elevate.  Now the doctor is calling it Broken heart syndrome.  Would cardiac enzymes elevated with broken heart syndrome or only in …

Portland Community Free Clinic Golf Tournament

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The 3rd Annual Golf Tournament to support the Portland Community Free Clinic is just around the corner! Join us with a golf foursome, sponsor, or both! Visit our golf website to learn more or to register! Where: Nonesuch River Golf Club, in Scarborough, Maine. When: Thursday, September 14, 2017. Time: 1 pm. Shotgun start. Purpose: To support the The Friends of the Portland Community Free Clinic, …

Mt. Katahdin Fundraiser

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We have an exciting fundraising event planned for the Friends of the Portland Community Free Clinic. Twelve hikers have committed to climbing Mt. Katahdin on July 10-12, 2016. Each individual has pledged to raise at least $1,000–our total goal is to raise $15,000 for the PCFC through this event. This event was spurred on by a grant received last year …

What treatment for a heart blockage is best?

Dr T Ask Doctor T, Cardiac Risks, Treatment 3 Comments

Question: I have been advised by my primary physician to schedule a cardiac catherization and possible stent placement procedure after having a Nuclear Stress Test with the following “Findings: The study quality is excellent. There is no transient LV ischemic dilatation noted. The left ventricular chamber dimensions are normal. There is a mild to moderately reduced perfusion defect of moderate …

Help!

Dr T Cardiac Risks, Chest Pain, Treatment 1 Comment

Question:    I’m 61 and on my last visit to my cardiologist, he wanted to do a heart cath to see if anything was going on in my heart.  I had been to the emergency room 2X in the prior two months with high BP 200/110 on one occasion and 180/100 on the other.  In both cases my heart rate …