64 SLICE CT SCAN - UNDERSTANDING YOUR HEART CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS

Cardiology is the specialization in medicine that deals with the study of cardiovascular illness, the care of all things related to the heart. Cardiology also includes arteries and is used to diagnose and treat conditions like blockages. However, cardiologists shouldn’t be confused with cardiac surgeons who perform heart surgeries, while cardiologists perform tests and procedures like angioplasty. Cardiology researches, diagnoses and treats heart injuries and diseases as well as their causes. A cardiologist will treat ones’ heart problem while staying aware of other conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other factors that risk damaging the heart. Some risk factors include a family history of heart disease, obesity, cigarette smoking, poor diet and a sedentary life style. Since cardiology is a specialized field of medicine, one should not necessarily rely on ones’ regular health care provider to care for ones’ heart. In fact, he or she may be able to deal with minor problems, but will usually refer a patient to a specialist if the symptoms appear to be serious. A specialist can inform ones’ doctor about new drugs or tests that may be beneficial to one, or he or she may request an ECG or blood tests and study the results. Los Angeles Cardiologists are talented and accredited cardiologists who have extensive experience in all aspects of cardiology.

Cardiologists use many diagnostic tests like ECGs and angiography to diagnose heart conditions. Until recently, the only way to confirm the presence of coronary artery disease was to get a cardiac catheterization or conventional angiogram. These invasive procedures require a lot of dye, large needle in the groin, bed rest for 6-8 hours and an overnight stay in the hospital. Today, by using the ultrafast, 64 Slice CT scanner physicians can image the heart and its blood vessels without blurring. Then, using advanced computer technology, the information can be reconstructed into 2-D and 3-D views of the heart and coronary arteries showing narrowing that can indicate early coronary artery disease. The 64 Slice CT Scan technology operates 4-64 times faster than other standard CT scanners. The 64 Slice CT scanner is a large round doughnut-shaped machine with a large opening. The patient lies on a comfortable table that will slide in and out of the round opening. The CT will obtain images from hundreds of angles that are reconstructed by a computer. Modern CT scanners are so fast that they can scan through the large sections of the body in just a few seconds. The 64 Slice CT Scan is less invasive and produces excellent imaging.

CT Heart Scan-ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS IN CARDIOLOGY

Cardiology is that branch of medicine which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases. Cardiologists investigate patients with suspected heart disease by taking a very careful, extensive history of the patient’s condition, and performing a complete physical examination. Nearly 5 million people today have had a cardiac event. Finding a physician who specializes in the treatment of heart disease is of utmost importance to those individuals who need treatment. Los Angeles area Cardiologists are dedicated to providing superior cardiovascular care. A board certified cardiologist, he and his team of qualified nurses and ancillary staff work together to provide the best possible treatment for their cardiology patients.

In order to provide appropriate treatment for their patients, cardiologists first need to accurately diagnose their patient’s conditions. ECG machines, x-rays, echocardiographs, cardiac catherization and many other diagnostic equipment have been providing accurate diagnosis for numerous cardiac conditions. New non-invasive imaging devices have shown enormous promise to diagnose a variety of cardiovascular abnormalities. Perhaps the most important such technology in cardiac diagnostics is the development of the 64 Slice CT Scan. The introduction of 64 slice cardiac CT allows nearly all patients to be scanned with very high resolution. Scan times are now of the order of several seconds; this means that even patients with severe pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure can hold their breath for the required length of time. Reduced time translates to minimal or no motion artifacts. Higher number of slices means higher resolution. Such high resolution allows visualization of the entire coronary tree with high accuracy and detail. Individual atheromatous plaques can be detected and characterized. Calcification can be visualized and used as an added variable in desease management.

A CT Heart Scan uncovers the exterior of the heart, position, shape and the coronary arteries on the surface of the heart. This image is a picture of the whole heart put together. A Heart Scan is essential for early heart desease detection. A heart scan takes less pictures than a 64 slice CT scan but they both have incredible findings. A heart scan is a painless scan which takes about ten minutes. The process is similar to taking an x-ray of the body. The patient lies on a scanner table and multiple images of the heart are taken. The physician then interprets the images of the heart and determines the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries. Indications for a heart scan are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, history of tobacco use, family history of heart desease, obesity and high stress levels. Heart scans make it possible to early detect and prevent heart attack.

64 Slice CT Scan - Understanding cardiology and CT Scans

Cardiology is the discipline that researches, diagnoses and treats heart injuries and diseases as well as their causes. A cardiologist will treat a heart problem while staying aware of other conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other factors that risk damaging the heart. Some of these health factors include a family history of heart disease, obesity, cigarette smoking, poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Timely evaluation and early diagnosis of individuals at risk for complex cardiac problems are extremely important in cardiology. In Los Angeles specialized Cardiologist focus on preventing, detecting and treating heart disease. After clarifying a disorders nature, extent and cause, he develops an individualized treatment plan. It’s the focus of Los Angeles Cardiologist to help each patient manage all facets of their condition, with recovery as the ultimate goal.

Proper therapy begins with an accurate diagnosis. In order to accurately diagnose critical acute and chronic cardiac illnesses like adult congenital heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, vascular disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and others, cardiologists apply various diagnostic test procedures and technology including stress tests, echocardiography, electrocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac catherization and others. One of the techniques that has gained popularity in recent times is the Heart Scan. The heart scan is appropriate for men and women, 35 years or older, with any risk factor like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, history of tobacco use, family history of heart disease, overweight or obese or with significant emotional or job related stress. A heart scan doesn’t determine whether a person is going to have a heart attack. Instead, it detects calcified plaque in the arteries of the heart. Calcified plaque is an indicator of heart disease. The CT Heart Scan is a painless test that takes about 10 minutes. The process is similar to taking an x-ray of the body. An individual lies on the scanner table and multiple images of the heart are taken. Then a computer creates separate images of the body area, called slices. These images can be stored, viewed on a monitor or printed on film. A qualified physician then interprets these images to determine the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries. A CT Heart Scan is called a CT Angiography if it is done to look at the arteries that bring blood to the heart.

The introduction of the 64 Slice CT Scan allows nearly all patients to be scanned with very high resolution. Scan times are now of the order of several seconds (usually 5-13 seconds). This means that even patients with severe pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure can hold their breath for the required length of time. Furthermore, the higher number of slices means higher resolution. Such high resolution allows the visualization of the entire coronary tree with extremely high accuracy and detail. Individual atheromatous plaques can be detected and characterized. Calcification can be visualized and used as an added variable in disease management.

cardiologist - A Look into the Heart with innovative CT Scanning Techniques

Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart. The field includes the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. A physician specializing in this field of medicine is called a cardiologist. Cardiologists however should not be confused with cardiac surgeons, who perform cardiac surgery. Cardiologists investigate and treat a host of critical cardiac conditions like High Blood Pressure, Arrhythmia, Congestive Heart Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Valvular Disease, Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Raised Cholesterol, Breathlessness, Fluid Retentions, Palpitations, Dizzy Spells and Blackouts. Screening plays a major role in identifying high risk individuals and introducing lifestyle modifications and, if appropriate, medication to reduce their risk of heart problems in later life.

Modern cardiology uses hi-tech medical equipment for diagnosis of anomalies. For evaluating coronary calcium in coronary heart disease, a CT Scan is often resorted to. A Cardiac CT is a painless test that uses an x-ray machine to take clear and detailed pictures of the heart. During a Cardiac CT Scan, an x-ray machine moves around the patient’s body in a circle. The machine takes pictures of each part of the patient’s heart. Subsequently, a computer puts the pictures together to make 3D pictures of the entire heart. CT Scans performed with a contrast injection are extremely useful for evaluating coronary blockage. Also diagnosable are aortic aneurisms and pulmonary embolisms.

Non-invasive imaging technologies continue to revolutionize every sub-specialty of medicine. Cardiology is no different; new imaging devices have shown enormous promise to diagnose a variety of cardiovascular abnormalities. Recent advances have allowed cardiologists to experience the next generation of extremely fast scanners that enable 64 Slice CT Scans in seconds. Combined with unparalleled resolution, a 64 Slice CT Scan has short scan times that allow the visualization of the heart and entire coronary tree within one breath. Now, a comprehensive evaluation of the health of one’s heart can be done in just a few minutes. One can simply walk in for a Non-invasive Coronary CT Angiography to identify any blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. 64 Slice CT Scan is safe and is not an invasive procedure unlike conventional catheter angiography. Coronary CT Angiography is also extremely useful in evaluating patency of stents and the condition of the bypass graft post-CABG.

Heart Disease is the #1 cause of death and disability in the United States. As such, early detection and prevention of heart disease is extremely important. A CT Heart Scan is a simple non-invasive test used for early detection of heart disease. It is a painless test that takes about 10 minutes. The individual lies on the scanner table and multiple images of the heart are taken. A qualified cardiologist then interprets these images to determine the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries of the heart. Calcified plaque is an indicator of heart disease. The heart scan may be appropriate for men 35 or older and women 40 or older possessing any of the risk factors.

cardiologist - A Look into the Heart with innovative CT Scanning Techniques

Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart. The field includes the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology. A physician specializing in this field of medicine is called a cardiologist. Cardiologists however should not be confused with cardiac surgeons, who perform cardiac surgery. Cardiologists investigate and treat a host of critical cardiac conditions like High Blood Pressure, Arrhythmia, Congestive Heart Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Valvular Disease, Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Raised Cholesterol, Breathlessness, Fluid Retentions, Palpitations, Dizzy Spells and Blackouts. Screening plays a major role in identifying high risk individuals and introducing lifestyle modifications and, if appropriate, medication to reduce their risk of heart problems in later life.

Modern cardiology uses hi-tech medical equipment for diagnosis of anomalies. For evaluating coronary calcium in coronary heart disease, a CT Scan is often resorted to. A Cardiac CT is a painless test that uses an x-ray machine to take clear and detailed pictures of the heart. During a Cardiac CT Scan, an x-ray machine moves around the patient’s body in a circle. The machine takes pictures of each part of the patient’s heart. Subsequently, a computer puts the pictures together to make 3D pictures of the entire heart. CT Scans performed with a contrast injection are extremely useful for evaluating coronary blockage. Also diagnosable are aortic aneurisms and pulmonary embolisms.

Non-invasive imaging technologies continue to revolutionize every sub-specialty of medicine. Cardiology is no different; new imaging devices have shown enormous promise to diagnose a variety of cardiovascular abnormalities. Recent advances have allowed cardiologists to experience the next generation of extremely fast scanners that enable 64 Slice CT Scans in seconds. Combined with unparalleled resolution, a 64 Slice CT Scan has short scan times that allow the visualization of the heart and entire coronary tree within one breath. Now, a comprehensive evaluation of the health of one’s heart can be done in just a few minutes. One can simply walk in for a Non-invasive Coronary CT Angiography to identify any blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. 64 Slice CT Scan is safe and is not an invasive procedure unlike conventional catheter angiography. Coronary CT Angiography is also extremely useful in evaluating patency of stents and the condition of the bypass graft post-CABG.

Heart Disease is the #1 cause of death and disability in the United States. As such, early detection and prevention of heart disease is extremely important. A CT Heart Scan is a simple non-invasive test used for early detection of heart disease. It is a painless test that takes about 10 minutes. The individual lies on the scanner table and multiple images of the heart are taken. A qualified cardiologist then interprets these images to determine the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries of the heart. Calcified plaque is an indicator of heart disease. The heart scan may be appropriate for men 35 or older and women 40 or older possessing any of the risk factors.

CT Scan - Scanning your health, how CT and Heart Scans can help you

A CT Scan (computerized tomography) is a non-invasive medical examination used to diagnose and monitor medical conditions. It is a fast and highly effective tool which provides detailed cross-sectional views of areas of the body that are hard to reach. While a standard x-ray only sends out one beam to capture the image, in a CT scan several beams of x-rays are sent out at different angles. It then uses a computer to create images of the inside of the body. Highly detailed pictures in two and three dimensions are obtained. Bones, internal organs, soft tissue and brain can all be imaged in detail with CT scan. SC scans help to diagnose inflammation, cancer and other diseases and help in monitoring many other health conditions.

Cardiac Computed Tomography or Heart Scan is a painless examination that uses a CT scanner to take clear, detailed pictures of the heart. This common examination is used to look for problems in the heart. During a heart scan, an x-ray machine moves around the body in a circle. The machine takes pictures of each part of the heart. A computer then puts the pictures together to make 3D pictures of the entire heart. Sometimes an iodine based dye (contrast dye) is injected into one of the veins in order to highlight the blood vessels on the x-ray pictures. Heart scans are common for evaluating coronary heart disease, problems with heart function and heart valves, problems with the aorta, aneurysms, pulmonary embolisms and other heart diseases.

Los Angeles Cardiologist is a highly reputed cardiology consultant, known for his excellence and innovation in the diagnosis, investigation and treatment of patients with all forms of heart disease. He has extensive experience in all aspects of adult cardiology; in particular the prevention and treatment of heart attack, angioplasty and stenting. Los Angeles Cardiologist and his team are committed to providing an efficient service in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Cardiologist Los Angeles is keenly interested in cardiac risk assessment and screening, and offers an extensive range of investigations and treatment for cardiac conditions including high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, breathlessness, palpitations, dizzy spells, chest pain (angina) and all aspects of coronary artery disease.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.apexcardiology.com/

501 East Hardy St. Suite 200 Inglewood, CA 90301

CT Heart Scan – Monitoring Your Health

The efficiency of a hospital is amplified by the addition of medical technology. One of the many machines that make life a little easier in an emergency is the CT scan. This procedure is used to diagnose a myriad of different conditions. The heart especially can easily be viewed by a doctor for heart disease or other health risks. Doctors can visit more patients and get more people home with the fast use of a CT scanner. Many hospitals have them, and you have probably seen them before on a television show or if you have needed a personal scan.

More commonly known as a CAT scan, the CT heart scan will take 64 complete images of the area the doctor is interested in. The machine rotates 360 degrees around the patient. This rotating motion allows the 64 images to be precise and even. Imagine being cut into 64 different slices, similar to a loaf of bread, and you will know what the images the CT scanner is producing look like. Doctors can see all the layers of the organ they are focusing on because each slice penetrates a little deeper into the patient’s body, so finding a trouble area is much easier.

There are several other tests that can be run and performed to determine what is wrong with a patient, but generally the lab is backed up and processing will take time. The patient would need to be admitted to the hospital, and have to wait for the doctor’s diagnosis without the use of this scanner. There is even some danger involved if the patient is high risk for heart attack and they come in complaining of chest pain. With a quick Heart scan both doctor and patient can relax knowing what the diagnosis is, and what can be done to make things better.

Sometimes diagnosis still requires laparoscopy or other invasive procedures that take time and cost both hospital and patient a lot of money. This is only necessary when the CT scan does not yield conclusive results on what the doctor is seeing. The difference between a malignant tumor and a harmless one is virtually indistinguishable with just a picture. Doctors love using CT scan to diagnose their patients because it is faster and more affordable for everyone. Spending less time diagnosing the problem means more time can be spent making the patient feel better and fixing the problem they are having.

CT Heart Scan – Look Into Your Heart

It’s widely known and understood that heart disease is still the number one cause of death in the United States. Heart disease can take many forms, whether it’s a coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cardiovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, inflammatory heart disease, or a valve disease. The heart is responsible for pumping blood to the rest of the body, so it’s easy to see that, if there’s something wrong with your heart, it’s bound to affect the rest of your body. If you want to catch heart disease before irreparable damage is done, then you should consider getting a CT heart scan.

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a method of getting an image of the interior of the heart in a non-invasive way. If you live near the 405 freeway between the 91 and the 10, then you’re probably looking for a Los Angeles cardiologist that can order this scan for you so that he can take a closer look at your heart health. A good, experienced cardiologist will not only order a CT and any other tests or scans that will help to determine the state of your heart health, but will also know what further measures to take to make sure that your heart stays in good health.

There are many doctors that practice Los Angeles cardiology, but your heart is a vital organ, so you want to be sure that you’re in the very best care. You want to be sure to do your research before selecting a cardiologist to take good care of you and your heart. You can try looking online for reviews of different doctors. You can also ask family and friends for recommendations. In any case, you’re going to have to do the research if you want to be sure to get the best care.

And when it comes to your CT, you should know that a 64 slice CT scan should be the bare minimum standard for your CT. They have machines that can take as minute as a 320 slice CT, but a 64 slice should be enough to at least ascertain the basic state of your heart health. Your heart is vital to the proper function of your body. You shouldn’t wait until something goes wrong before having a cardiologist take a look and see what the matter is. Be good to your heart, and it’ll be good to you.

full body scan - Identifying Heart Disease at an Early Stage

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. However, advances in medical technology have made it increasingly possible for doctors to diagnose patients at an early stage and provide adequate treatment. When used in combination with other heart and lung scans, a full body scan, can help physicians more accurately identify the problem at hand. When caught early, heart disease can be treated. Following guidelines from a physician and making simple lifestyle changes can help lower risk of cardiovascular disease and improve one’s health. Factors that increase risk of heart disease include diet, alcohol, physical, inactivity, obesity and tobacco use.

If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back, irregular heartbeat, or dizziness it is recommended that you visit a cardiologist. The cardiologist will recommend appropriate testing and give helpful information on how to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.. Regular checkups are recommended for anyone with a family history of heart disease. Other high risk patients are those with High blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.

Los Angeles is internationally known for its culture, popular entertainment, media, tourist attractions and successful business. Los Angeles is the biggest city in California and, for years, it has been home to a diverse community of people. Residents of the Los Angeles area have noticed a tremendous growth in their population. Along with this population growth, came an increase in obesity and heart disease. Some unhealthy lifestyle habits have tremendously affected the health of Los Angeles residents. It is important that residents take advantage of advances in Los Angeles cardiology. Non-invasive tests have become more and more available to help cardiologists diagnose heart disease.

Scans are critical for patients who have higher risks of cardiovascular disease and those who have experienced common symptoms. Since many symptoms can be confused with those of other illnesses, most people are not getting tested. It is recommended that adults in their mid-40s consult a Los Angeles Cardiologist to have proper scans for heart disease so that problems can be detected early. Although scans increase the probability of detecting heart disease, it does not prevent nor cure it. Making wise lifestyle choices such as dieting and exercising will help lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Heart scan - Heart Attack and Heart Disease Prevention

In order to lead a healthy life one must have a healthy heart and overall healthy cardiovascular system which will help one to keep the rest of the body healthy as well. If one has had a heart attack or is at risks of having one improving ones current lifestyle and making healthy choices is critical to prevent the heart attack. If an individuals is experiencing chest pain or other side effects of heart attack such as poor blood circulation, swelling, or fatigue the first step is to see a doctor in order to run test such as CT heart scan. In many cases a Heart scan can save a person’s life. Men and women should have their heart checked at around age 50 this is when one is at risks of having a heart disease. Having a checkup at this time has saved many lives from heart disease tragedy. Although diagnosing technology has advanced and doctors are able to use more sophisticated tools such as 64 slice CT scan to diagnose and treat the problem directly. Treatment for already developed heart disease is not the best medicine, prevention is. Preventing disease by making healthy choices will ensure that one lives a longer, healthier life.

It is often difficult to choose healthy food and always feel as if one was on a diet, but making the right food choices will greatly affect one’s health and over time how youthful one may feel. Eating right throughout the day may even help increase ones energy and attitude. The first to prevention is to eat ones entire serving of fruit and vegetables for the day. This may be hard for most people, but not only is good for the cardiovascular system, but are guaranteed to provide natural energy. The benefits of eating a full serving of fruits and vegetables a day are endless. Other lifestyle changes that one should make are:

• Stay away from fried foods, too much grease causes clogs in the arteries.

• Keep a diet high in fiber, and low in animal fat.

• Exercise regularly, 30- 45 minutes of walking or swimming is proven to improve the cardiovascular by improving the muscle tone of the arteries.

When it comes to being in good health the great equalizer is stress levels. Individuals with high stress tend to get sick and become sicker, especially true in health of the head and heart. Hormones associated with stress cause an increase in heart rate, and increase blood pressure. Stress is not good for anyone as it can put a person at risks of heart attack; it is also much worse for those who are already at risks, or have already had a heart attack.

There are also many heart supplements and vitamins leading Los Angeles Cardiologist may ask you to take or prescribe to you, in order to keep ones heart in tip top shape. Individuals have nothing to fear except improving their health when seeing a cardiologist.

CT scan - Detecting a Heart Attack and Heart a Attack Prevention

A failing heart can cause a person to always be tired fatigue and worn down. If one is past the age of 45 and is experiencing these signs then he or she should have their heart checked. More people every year die of sudden heart attacks than our diagnosed with heart disease. In order to keep up good heart health men and women at the age of 45 should visit their local Cardiologist have their heart checked and get information of ways to improve their cardiovascular system.

The first step to detecting heart problems is to known ones symptoms and see a cardiologist. In this visit most cardiologist will conduct a CT heart Scan in order to be sure that nothing is or isn’t wrong. If the hear scan is clear one can be sure that they do not have major heart disease. Although ones scan is clear he or she should still learn the necessary steps to take if a sudden heart attack occurs.

The first hour of the heart attack is the golden hour if one gets help in this first hour then he or she is likely to survive the heart attack with a good recovery. Heart attack symptoms may vary from person to person. In women heart attack symptoms often hide and are more visible in men. A sudden heart attack may feel like digestive disturbances and some individuals are afraid to embarrass to ask for help in this moment. Embarrassment should not stop you, as the worse that can happen is be taken to the ER have a CT scan that may detect something wrong with the heart or something irregular.

The most common sign of a heart attack in the making is chest pain. Chest pain that is generally brought on by physical exertion, stress and may go away with rest. Fatigue is also a common side effect and present while doing any physical activity even ones that one was able to do in the past. Another common reason that heart attack symptoms hide is because most people experience indigestion. However this indigestion may seem different as it often does not respond to antacids.

All of these things may help to diagnose symptoms of a heart attack and urge many individuals to have a heart scan but the only way to avoid heart attack is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A healthy life style includes daily exercise, eating healthy and staying at a good weight for ones stature.

full body scan - See a Cardiologist and Protect Your Heart

It is easier than ever to diagnose heart disease using non-invasive methods such as a computed tomography (CT) heart scan or a CT full body scan. Before this technology was available a patient would have to undergo an invasive coronary angiogram, which required injecting a dye through a catheter into one of the patients large blood vessels so that the doctor can see the size and location of any damaged areas in the heart or arteries. Some risks of invasive coronary angiograms are: blood clots, infection where the catheter is inserted, air entering the arteries, or an allergic reaction to the dye.

By contrast to an invasive coronary angiogram, a CT heart scan creates high resolution 3D images of the heart and blood vessels without the use of a catheter. Instead, an iodine dye is injected through an IV, along with a medication to slow the patients heart rate, allowing for better image results. Xrays are picked up by the scanner and made into 3D images that show if fatty or calcium deposits have built up in the arteries. A CT full body scan is more extensive and examines the lungs, the heart, and the abdomen. For high risk patients, this may be the best option since early detection is key to treating and preventing heart disease. However, full body scans are administered as a last resort because they expose the patient to radiation.

You should see a cardiologist if you ever experience pain or discomfort in any areas of the upper body, including stomach, jaws, arms, or chest, shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heart beat, dizziness, or nausea. These are just a few of the signs that can signal heart disease, so it is best to see your doctor for regular check ups, especially if you are a high risk patient. High risk patients include anyone with a family history of heart disease, patients who have diabetes, smoke, or drink excessive amounts of alcohol. Also, people who are overweight, over the age of forty, and males are at higher risk than the rest of the population. After a women becomes menopausal, her risk of heart disease increases as well. When caught early, most heart disease can be treated with lifestyle changes, including: eating more fiber and potassium, taking asprin and natural blood thinners, and working out moderately most days per week.

CT Heart Scan Early Detection of Heart Disease

The key to treating most life threatening illnesses is early detection. Men who reach the age of 35 and women who reach age 40 should speak to their primary physician about the early detection tests that they should take. Reaching these ages puts men and women at higher risks for heart disease and different cancers. There are several other factors that may put individuals at higher risks, these factors include:

The CT heart Scan procedure is simple and noninvasive used for early detection of heart disease. In most cases of early detection of heart disease the damage can be cured, minimized and even reversed. The scanning procedure takes about 10 minutes, one will lie on the scanner and multiple pictures of the heart are taken. A physician or cardiologist will then interpret the scans to determine the amount of calcified plaque in the arteries. The scan itself does not determine whether or not the individual is going to have a heart attack but instead makes visible the amount of calcified plaque in the heart which is an indicator of heart disease.

If the CT heart scan was not thorough enough or the physician detects further disease or a different illness then he or she may ask one to have a 64 Slice CT scan. The 64 slice CT scanner can gather high resolution images of a heart, brain or pair of lungs in about 5 seconds. This scan is specifically exciting for studying the beating heart providing the first clear noninvasive images of the heart and its major vessels.

These scans are critical for patients who have higher risks of heart disease and those who have already experienced some common symptoms, as these scans can essentially save a life. Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death and disability in the United States. Unfortunately for most people the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack. This is due to the fact that heart disease symptoms are often confused with other illnesses and most people are not getting tested for this when they should. Los Angeles cardiologist say all patients who have hit the age requirement should have a CT scan for heart disease and cancer because of the early detection benefits.

Diabetes and increased chances of heart disease

People who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop heart disease they are also twice as likely to develop heart disease at an earlier age. It is important for individuals especially diabetes patients to keep a good diet and exercise. After about age 45 or some say 50 if one has a family history of heart disease he or she should see make an appointment with their local or referred to cardiologist. Seeing ones primary physician will not due, a specialist can run the proper test and best detect if there is a problem with ones heart.

Individuals who have diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease because of the effect of diabetes. Diabetes means that one’s pancreas does not create sufficient insulin to break down glucose to enter cells which is the body’s main source of energy; this means the cells will be energy starved. Over time high blood glucose levels damages nerves and blood vessels leading to heart disease and stroke. Individuals with type two diabetes are also, more likely to suffer from heart disease. These patients like all other patients can benefit greatly from early detection. This can be done by undergoing simple test such as a heart scan or CT scan.

This is especially necessary if one is has diabetes and has already had one heart attack because they are in greater risk of suffering another heart attack. It is critical for individuals who have an escalated risk of heart disease to know the symptoms and undergo the suggested testing. Diabetes patients who suffer heart attack run very high risks of not living through it.

Leading Los Angeles Cardiology specialist say changing ones diet for the better will significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack even in diabetic patients. Although many people say that diabetic individuals should not eat sugar this is not necessarily true, like all other individuals they should consume from all the food groups but should exercise regularly. Taking a 15-30 minute walk will greatly improve the cardiovascular system improving ones heart health. Cardiovascular specialists suggest individuals take a 45 minute walk everyday for best cardiovascular improvement and reduce heart disease risks.

Cardiologist - Prioritizing Your Health

For many Americans, health care may not be at the top of a priority list as we are all consumed by work, family, and errands in our daily lives. It often seems difficult to find the time to go for routine check-ups and in some cases; many don’t pay attention to health care until they feel something has gone wrong. With age, the chances of health problems increase as over time, the body takes on more stress. At around 50 years old, it is important to keep up with routine check-ups with your doctor to detect any irregularities in the body. For patients with a medical history including diabetes and high blood pressure among other things may begin more in-depth routine check-ups at a younger age. With a Cardiologist, patients are able to receive an evaluation of heart health so proactive steps can be taken if needed. Los Angeles Cardiology is prestigious with many highly-qualified cardiologists and state-of-the-art facilities. With a Heart Scan, cardiologists are able to detect any irregularities in the heart like abnormal heartbeats, clogged arteries, and any heart diseases that may exist. Heart scans should be made regularly to detect any irregularities or diseases sooner, rather than later. If a patient is experiencing any irregularities, a heart scan is also recommended by a doctor’s reference to a cardiologist.

Aside from heart scans, a Full Body Scan is also available to detect irregularities and diseases in the body. Detecting early signs of diseases with a full body scan is a preventative method to treat any diseases and to treat irregularities accordingly. Other testing such as Stress Testing, may also evaluate heart health by testing heart performance and using methods for heart imaging. Patients who engage themselves prioritizing their health care may complete an 11-second scan that may save their lives. Planning a routine check-up for things such as full body scans; reap health benefits that can be valued in the long run as any detection of disease can be treated early. With the latest technology in cardiology, medicine, and state-of-the-art medical facilities, prioritizing health care is now easier than ever.

full Body scan - Heart disease symptoms

All heart disease symptoms vary depending on what kind of heart disease an individual may have, in this article I will cover most of all the symptoms for every different heart disease. One should always remember that self-diagnoses is not the best diagnoses and one should always speak to a cardiologist for further results and testing via heart Scans and in other cases where the problem is harder to identify a full Body scan may be needed.

Symptoms of heart disease in your blood vessels (cardiovascular disease) is caused by narrowed, blocked or stiffened blood vessels that make it so the heart, brain or other parts of the body don’t receive enough blood. Symptoms of cardiovascular disease can include:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms

In some cases patients are diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and there symptoms worsen, when this happens one should be very careful because they are at high risk of having a heart attack, stroke, hearth failure or sudden cardiac death.

Abnormal heartbeats, The heart may beat too fast too slowly or irregularly if you have an arrhythmia the symptoms can include:

• Fluttering in the chest

• Racing heart beat

• Slow heart beat

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Lightheadedness

• Dizziness

• Fainting or near fainting

Heart defects, a defect one is born with usually becomes more evident during the first few hours or days in one’s life, the symptoms can include:

• Pale gray or blue skin

• Swelling in the legs, abdomen, even the eyes

• Shortness of breath during feeding

In less serious cases hear defects may not be noticed until childhood years, these are less threatening but the symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath very easily

• Easily tiring

• Build up fluid in the heart or lungs

• Swelling in the hands, ankles and feet

One should remember that children do not usually notice these things or do but are not highly concerned. One should always take notice and watch their children as they play and interact, and if one notices their child get tired easy or has shortness of breath or fatigue visit Los Angeles Cardiology to run some test before symptoms go any further.

Heart diease symptoms cause by thick heart muscle, in the earlier stages one may not have any symptoms at all, but as the disease progresses one may experience:
Breathless at any time, during exercise or rest

• Swelling of the legs, ankle, and feet

• Bloating

• Fatigue

• Irregular heartbeats that feel rapid, pounding or fluttering

• Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting

Heart disease caused by heart infection: there are three types of heart infections pericarditis, affects the tissue around the heart. Myocarditis, affects the muscular muddle layer of the walls of the heart. Endocarditis, affects the inner membrane that separates the chambers and valves of the heart. Symptoms for every infection vary slightly but include:

• Fever

• Weakness or fatigue

• Swelling in your legs of abdomen

• Changes in the heart rhythm

• Dry or persistent cough

• Skin rashes or unusual spots

One should take notice that most heart disease symptoms include: swelling of hands, legs, ankle and feet, shortness of breath and easily tiring. If one has already been diagnosed with heart disease and would like further scans to better identify the problem one should ask their doctor about the 64 slice CT scan.

CT scan : What is a heart attack and what are its consequences

Knowing the basic information about how to survive a heart attack is important to people of all ages. The chances that one self or someone they love will suffer from a heart attack during their life time, and whether or not one survives the heart attach will be solely based on what he or she and the doctors does about the heart attack in the first few hours and then over the long term. The best way to prevent a heart attack is to avoid it. If one feels that they are experiencing symptoms of heart attack he or she should consult with their cardiologist who will then order a CT heart scan and if nothing is identified and the symptoms still persist then he may order a Full body scan.

A myocardial infraction commonly known as a heart attack is the most severe form of acute coronary syndrome. Cardiologist say a heart attack is generally triggered by the rupture of a plaque within a coronary artery. The rupture causes a blood clot to form and this leads to blockage of the artery. The area of the heart muscle which is supplied blood by the blocked artery begins to die. It is the death of the heart muscle that defines the heart attack.

The consequences of a heart attack depend on how much of the heart muscle dies, and which of the coronary arteries was blocked, and where in the artery did the blockage occur. Blockage near the origin of an artery will affect more heart muscle than a blockage farther down the artery. If the muscle damage is sever, he or she may develop acute heart failure during the heart attack, this is very dangerous. If the amount of heart muscle damage is less severe but still substantial one may develop heart failure later on. Therefore taking precautions to avoid heart failure after heart attack are imperative to treating a heart attack. Heart attacks also, produce hazardous heart arrhythmias. During the heart attack electrical instability may trigger ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. After this scare tissue results from the healing process may cause permanent electrical instability. Unfortunately this means sudden death from cardiac arrest is risk during heart attack and after heart attack recovery. However after heart attack recover cardiologist can run scans such as 64 Slice CT scan in order to ensure that one is out of danger although it may take time to get there.

Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease also referred to as coronary artery disease is a thinning of the small blood vessels which supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Symptoms of coronary heart disease can often be very blunt, but other times can go unnoticed. These symptoms usually include:

• Chest pain or discomfort- This pain normally occurs when the heart is not being supplied with enough oxygen or blood. Ones chest may feel heavy or like it is being pressed. The pain is generally felt beneath the breast bone but can be felt in the neck, arms, stomach, or upper back. The pain persists with activity or emotion but goes away with rest and some medications. Common symptoms are shortness of breath and fatigue with physical activity. If any of these symptoms arise be sure to see a cardiologist to better identify the problem.

Leading Los Angeles cardiologist may suggest that their patient take one or more medicines to treat blood pressure, diabetes and high or low cholesterol levels. These medication and instructions provided by the cardiologist should be followed closely in order to prevent the disease from worsening.

The most common cause of coronary heart disease is called atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty material and plaque build up on the walls of ones arteries. This causes the thinning of the small blood vessels. Coronary hear disease is the leading cause of death of death in all United States for both men and women.

Increasing risk of heart disease

Men in their forties have an increased risk of having coronary heart disease but as many women hit menopause their chances almost equal that of men in their forties. Coronary heart disease is hereditary. If someone in ones family has or had coronary heart disease before the age of fifty then ones chances of having the disease increase with age. Other common causes include Diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, smoking, chronic kidney disease, alcohol abuse, lack of exercise and excessive stressing.

Coronary heart disease is often diagnosed with CT heart scans however some cardiologist suggest that their patients have a full body scan in order to identify any problems in the body and be able to target them all with medications and treatments. The proper treatment for coronary heart disease can stop death in its tracks by preventing the disease from going any further; however the best medicine is always prevention, so be aware of symptoms and behavior that can lead to coronary heart disease.

Test that identify heart disease

Heart disease and cancer is the number one killer in America. Symptoms of heart disease vary greatly. Women and men posses very different symptoms for heart attack, some symptoms can be those of a common cold and other symptoms can be very straight forward. Because it is so hard to tell who does and doesn’t have heart disease by only identifying symptoms there are several heart scans which can be done in order for Cardiologist to be able to identify what is going on is the persons heard and other parts of their body. Besides heart scans to identify cancers and other such illness Full body scans can be done as well. Cardiologist would rather do a heart scan in order to protect the patient from such high amounts of radiation although sometimes necessary.

• Cardiac computed tomography

• Echocardiogram

• Electron beam computed tomography

• Nuclear heart scan

• Cardiac catheterization

Computed tomography commonly known as a ct scan CT heart scan is an imaging test that uses ct technology with or without contrast dye to visualize the heart anatomy, coronary circulation, and great vessels.

Echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It specifically pertains to the left ventricle of the heart and checks for certain abnormalities of the heart structure and valves. This procedure is noninvasive and one part of the exam can be done using the ultrasound probe on the patient’s chest. There is another part of the echo called the transesophageal echo this test is greatly useful for patients who are overweight or have very round chest. The cardiologist takes the ultrasound probe down through the patient’s esophagus. From here the cardiologist can see the back of the heart and examine.

Electron Beam computed tomography; this test is critical in the early detection of heart disease or heart attack risk before the patient ever feels symptoms. The test is usually done in radiology, where they use an electron ray to show pictures of the coronary arteries. Through this procedure it is visible if there is plaque hardening in the arteries. The test most commonly is repeated after a year.

Nuclear heart scans are extremely helpful for diagnostic purposes. Myocardial perfusion is used to look at the heart’s muscle and see if it is working properly and receiving the right amount of blood, if it is not this is generally evidence of occlusion somewhere in the artery. A second type of nuclear scan that is commonly done is done with the use of a treadmill. The nuclear stress test is done when a substance called radionuclide is injected in to the bloodstream, where it travels to the heart and makes it visible for the cardiologist to see how the heart is working under stressful conditions of exercise and if there has been previous injury. The next part of the test is done while the patient is resting.

Cardiac Catheterization uses a catheter which the doctor usually inserts into the groin and then follows the blood vessel up into the heart. This test allows the cardiologist to measure fluid pressure in the chamber of the heart and collect blood samples to analyze the oxygen and CO2 content.
These are not the only test used to measure what is happening inside and to someone’s heart, although there are few there are several other accurate test ones cardiologist will decided which is best to perform on their patient.

Los Angeles cardiology :Cardiology an overview

Cardiology is the field of medicine that studies the heart and vascular system. The study of cardiology goes as far back as the ancient Egyptians and since then a great deal of advances have been made. Not only has technology improved greatly but there have been many discoveries that save lives everyday. New technology allows cardiologist to perform bypass, hear transplants and even use artificial hearts. Cardiology is a growing field in which requires the need for specialist more everyday. As a specialty cardiology has been around for a little more than fifty years. Cardiology itself does not date back to ancient times but studies of the heart did begin in ancient Egyptian times. The Egyptians made many discoveries about the heart through the process of mummification; however, the first successful heart surgery was made in 1896, the creation of the first artificial heart valve in 1950, and the first human heart transplant in 1967.

Cardiology alone is the specialty area of medicine that handles disorders of the heart and blood vessels. There is such a wide variety of disease and conditions that affect the cardiovascular system that it is critical to be checked by a certified Cardiologist when experiencing any changes or problems in this area. Most people fear going to visit cardiologist for pain and other changes but only if there is a problem can the situation be scary. Testing is usually simple for adults a CT heart scan and for children also a Heart scan with this most cardiologist speedily determine the problem. There are three specialist involved in this field of cardiology according to the patients need and type of situation. Cardiologist work with adults to identify, prevent and treat conditions of the heart and vascular system pediatric cardiologist do the same but for children as young as fetuses and as old as age thirteen. Cardiac surgeons are those trained in the specialty of surgeries on the heart, lungs and blood vessels.

Cardiology is a growing field because our population suffers from obesity, which triggers heart disease and diabetes. Recent studies have shown that almost forty percent of deaths are by cardiovascular disease. A large portion of that death number is from sudden heart attack. Heart attacks can be silent killers and most female patients have no prior signs symptoms of heart attack. While the demand for cardiologist and cardiac surgeons is rapidly increasing the amount of students who are studying in this field is just as rapidly decreasing. Physicians and researches and working together to increase the knowledge of the heart and vascular system to make more great discoveries everyday, but more physicians are required. Cardiology has come a long way and for the moment grave studies are being done to better identify methods to prevent and treat heart conditions many researchers are studying the affects of different diets and exercise on the cardiovascular system. In many places around the world and in Los Angeles cardiology studies have great potential and can unleash many secrets to living a longer and healthier life.