Ask the doctor: Is my breathlessness a heart or lung problem?

I had a quadruple bypass seven years ago. A few months back I found myself taking frequent short breaths when I climbed the stairs. Once I stopped exerting myself, my breathing soon returned to normal. Is this due to a problem with my heart or lungs?

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Ask the doctor: What causes C-reactive protein levels to vary?

I had a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test that was 38.6, which my doctor said was quite high. My cholesterol was fine. A heart scan and stress test were normal. When my doctor repeated the test, my hsCRP was 6.1. What can cause such variations?

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Ask the doctor: Can I have my hernia fixed while taking Plavix?

I had stents placed. My doctor told me to take Plavix and aspirin indefinitely. Now I need a hernia repair. My surgeon said to stop taking the drugs before the operation. My cardiologist says that would increase my chance of a clot in one of the stents.

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