Heart disease

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While those words may sound intimidating, Cardiology Health Care of South Florida is here to help remove the fear factor. Dr. Diego and his staff take the time to identify and understand each patient’s condition and history, and to employ the most effective tools against the disease.

Arteries and veins are the highways of blood flowing in the body, and any obstruction is a serious concern. If you are experiencing arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), your heart may be beating too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia). In either case, the heart may not be able to pump a sufficient quantity of blood, which can cause fatigue or shortness of breath, among other problems.

Dr. Diego will check for a heart murmur and perform a physical exam. He may also order an MRI, electrocardiography, or blood tests to help diagnose the underlying problem.

Here are some of the heart–related ailments we treat:

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Irregular heartbeats

Irregular heartbeats can be managed with a pacemaker. This little device uses low-energy electrical pulses to stabilize the heartbeat, by coordinating electrical signals between the chambers of the heart.

Coronary artery disease

If our diagnostics show that a patient has coronary artery disease, chances are that the arteries are blocked or semi-blocked. Some patients learn about their condition only when they have sudden pain because the heart muscle is not getting blood or oxygen. This is called angina, and it needs to be treated swiftly and aggressively.

Heart failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is not strong enough to circulate the blood. This can happen upon sudden exertion or with stress. Any of the following could indicate heart failure: shortness of breath, especially when lying down; sudden weight gain; feeling bloated; cough that lasts longer than a week; change in appetite; increased swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen; increased urination at night; extreme fatigue.

Valve disorders

Your heart has four valves to keep blood flowing from the heart to the lungs to be oxygenated, then back to the ventricles. If left untreated, valve disorders may lead to regurgitation (blood leaking back through the valve in the wrong direction); mitral valve prolapse (when one of the valves doesn’t close tightly); or stenosis (when the valve doesn’t fully open, and blood flow is blocked).

Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for stroke and heart attack. Yet millions of people learn they have hypertension only when they experience a cardiac event. This is a very treatable disorder.

Lipid disorders

Lipid disorders are another name for high cholesterol and high triglycerides– both associated with heart attack and stroke. Lipid disorders may be genetic, or a result of lifestyle.

Vascular disease

Vascular disease refers to problems in the body’s network of blood vessels, such as hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), or blood clots. Weakened blood vessels can burst, causing internal bleeding. While vascular disease is heritable, it can be managed by controlling diet, smoking, and exercise.

All of the above are manageable with the proper treatment. Our practice is equipped to administer sophisticated diagnostics, and state-of-the-art treatment. Call our Miami clinic today to learn how we can help manage your risk of heart disease.