Month: February 2012

CT scans show my arteries are in the 89th percentile for calcium scores. My stress tests and echocardiograms are normal, so are my blood pressure and cholesterol, and I feel fine. Should I have an angiogram to confirm the calcification?

I am 78 years old. An echocardiogram showed a leak in my mitral valve. A follow-up test showed some leakage in my tricuspid valve. I like to exercise, but don’t want to make these problems worse. Is it okay for me to walk on a treadmill or lift weights?

My doctor told me I should think about having a procedure something like angioplasty to stop my atrial fibrillation. Can you tell me more?

I avoid grapefruit juice because my doctor says it affects how my body handles the Lipitor I take for my cholesterol. Should I also stay away from pomelo?

Many people in my neighborhood heat their homes with wood stoves. The smoke really bothers me. Does what’s coming out of their chimneys affect my heart?

I’ve heard you should take an aspirin if you think you are having a heart attack. I already take aspirin (325 mg) every day. Should I still take an aspirin if I feel a heart attack coming on?

Are there any noninvasive, radiation-free tests that can give the same information about possible blockages in my coronary arteries as a nuclear stress test? I’ve had so many CT scans for other conditions that I’d prefer to go non-nuclear for a while.