Tag Archives: tampa heart doctor

06.01.22
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Hyperventilation Syndrome – A Little Known Affliction That Can Mimic Heart Attack

Hyperventilation Syndrome – A Little Known Affliction That Can Mimic Heart Attack

Hyperventilation Syndrome – A Little Known Affliction That Can Mimic Heart AttackThis syndrome can mimic a panic attack or a heart attack.

In most cases, hyperventilating is depicted as someone becoming very upset by a certain event on TV. They are then given a paper bag and told to breathe deeply into it to improve their condition. This is a very short time in which to feel better.

The truth of what this syndrome entails isn’t as drastic, quick, or as easily calmed.

A woman came to see us recently complaining of various symptoms, such as chest pain, heart palpitations, and strange sensations down her left arm and into her neck. She said that she felt like she had consumed a lot of energy drinks, when in fact, she had zero.

After performing an electrocardiogram, which is a standard test for the heart, we were able to confirm that her heart was fine. We then conducted an echocardiogram and a stress test.

What she was experiencing was Hyperventilation Syndrome.

  • Chest pain (Crushing, squeezing, and even stabbing)
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Fainting
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Having a hard time breathing – shortness of breath or feeling like you just can’t get enough air
  • Frequent yawning
  • Numb feelings in hands and or feet
  • Muscle spasms

It can be triggered by stress and anxiety. It can also be caused by the body’s response to certain stimuli.

  • Anxiety
  • Panic attacks
  • Asthma
  • Stress
  • Worrying
  • Exercise
  • Side effects of certain drugs
  • High altitude
  • Head injury
  • Shock
  • PTSD triggers

Treatment and Relief

  • Focus on taking controlled breaths
  • For this exercise, you should put your lips into a position that’s similar to how you would blow out birthday candles. Breathe slowly through your nose, and then slowly breathe out through a small opening between your lips. Repeat this exercise until you feel better.
  • Limit airflow: breath through one nostril only, and slowly.
  • Breathe into a paper bag: This does work but you must do it slowly and repeatedly for 5 to 6 minutes.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor about it. Hyperventilation Syndrome is one of the most under-recognized conditions.

Visit WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM to learn more about our facilities and how we can help.

Never ignore chest pain. If you are not sure of the cause seek medical help immediately. 

04.20.22
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Have Heart Disease? Steer Clear of These Foods

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tampa cardiovascular associates tampa floridaWhat we choose to feed our bodies is important. It is the fuel we run on. It is the building block for new cells to be created. It is what gives us energy, and vitality, and enables us to keep going year after year.

If you have heart disease diet is even more important. Let’s take a look at the top four foods to avoid giving your heart and cardiovascular system the best chance at good health.

Processed and refined grains
Whole grains are good for you. Refined grains are not. Processing removed much of the original nutrition. Worse yet, they add fat, sodium, and sugar, all of which can lead to weight gain and high blood pressure.

AVOID:

  • instant oatmeal
  • white bread
  • white rice
  • Processed breakfast cereals

Refined and Processed Sugars:
Sugar has a negative effect on the heart. It provides the body with “empty calories” that crowd out the benefits from the healthier foods you consume at the same time, essentially canceling them out. Eating high amounts of refined sugar can raise your blood pressure and triglyceride levels and can contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes.

AVOID:

  • Soda
  • Frozen foods
  • candy and sweets
  • Canned foods

Saturated and Trans Fats
Unsaturated fats are good for you (coconut oil, avocados, macadamia nut oil, peanut butter, etc.) While trans-fat is arguably more harmful than saturated fat, they both can do harm to the body by raising “bad” cholesterol and lowering “good” cholesterol.

AVOID:

  • deep-fried foods
  • pie crust
  • margarine
  • microwave popcorn

Sodium
Our kidneys are capable of processing a limited amount of salt. Excess sodium can increase blood pressure in the arteries. It can bring on high blood pressure and put you at an elevated risk for heart attack and stroke as well as kidney failure.

AVOID:

  • processed meats
  • fast food
  • packaged snack foods
  • chemical-laden salad dressings

Tampa Cardiology Associates offers nutritional services as well as cardiology and vein health help. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM 813-975-2800. Visit our site to learn more or give us a call to schedule your appointment.

10.02.21
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Tampa Cardio Offers Customized Heart Healthy Nutrition Plans

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heart healthy nutritionist tampa cardioThe professional Cardiologists at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates of Tampa Bay, Florida are here for you.

Why go to a regular nutritionist when you can have a specialist who fully understands the workings of your heart and cardiovascular system as well as the key nutrition needed to boost your overall wellness along with heart health at the same time?

Tampa Cardiovascular Associates is your one stop shop for heart health and wellness. Come in for a consultation and we can assess your health based on a physical exam, blood work, talking with you about what you are currently experiencing, as well as taking a full health history. We can also work up a diet plan for you that will fit your needs, likes, and lifestyle that can help to solidify, correct, and boost your cardiovascular health.

Eating healthy these days can be tricky. There are so many foods and additives that just are not good for you and worse, may cause your heart harm if eaten in excess. Let our experts steer you in the right direction so you can feel your best no matter what current condition you may be in.

We operate in a state-of-the-art environment, so we are able to give you the best care possible. This is done though diagnostic testing, one on one focused conversations addressing your concerns and issues, and through the formation of a planned-out course of treatment that is engineered toward gradually healing what is wrong with your body through proper nutrition, supplementation, in office procedures, and if necessary surgical correction.

The physicians at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates are a powerhouse of knowledge and experience. Though you will be assigned one doctor, in many instances they do confer and consult with one another, so you are guaranteed an in-house second opinion without even having to leave the building.

If you are ready to take your cardiac health to the next level, you need Tampa Cardio.

WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM

813-975-2800

 

09.03.21
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American Heart Association Recommendations

Tampa cardiovascular associates tampa florida

Tampa cardiovascular associates tampa floridaLifestyle has a huge effect on your health and wellbeing.

This is especially true for your heart and cardiovascular health. Change isn’t as drastic or as hard as you might think. Just a few small habitual adjustments and you could alter your health now as well as into the future.

Tips for a healthier heart

  • Base your caloric intake on your body, not the recommendations on the labels of 2000 calories a day. That’s an average. Your needs may be higher or lower depending on body size, composition, and goals.
  • Aim for 150 minutes of cardiovascular activity a week. This can be spread out throughout the entire week if need be.
  • Limit saturated fats and trans fats.
  • Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fish and chicken, legumes and nuts, and stick with vegetable oils.
  • Eat less nutrient poor foods (processed, packaged, chemical laden)
  • Eat a variety of fish at least 2x a week.
  • Choose low sodium options and switch from table salt to pink salt.
  • Drink alcohol only in moderation. No more than 2 drinks per day as a man and 1 drink per day for women.
  • Live a tobacco free lifestyle. This includes vaping.
  • Avoid second hand smoke.
  • Reduce stress as much as you can.
  • Get regular checkups with your physician.
  • Control your blood pressure. Check it often and if it consistently comes in high, ask for help.

Tampa Cardiovascular Associates of Tampa Bay, Florida wants you to be healthy. We are here for you no matter what level of heart health you are currently at. Call us at 813-975-2800 or visit us on the web at WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM to learn more about our practice and our physician cardiologists.

We offer a huge array of services including Cardiology, Vein Treatment, and Nutritional Services.

06.02.21
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Heart Disease and HIV Patients

HIV Aids heart disease tampa cardio

HIV Aids heart disease tampa cardioPatients are living longer as HIV treatments progress. They are also living high-quality lives.  Modern medicine has miraculously transformed a tragic terminal illness into a manageable condition that can be lived with and kept in check for years and even decades allowing for a longer fuller life.

The only downfall of this extension is that a connection seems to be forming between HIV patients with longer lives and the development of cardiovascular issues including heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

This partly stems from ramped up easily available testing and earlier treatment options. Because of this, those with HIV are not developing into full-blown AIDS. This lowers the incidences of AIDS-related complications. It does correlate though to the early onset as well as higher relative risks for chronic diseases among HIV patients.

The risk of stroke and heart disease among those HIV positive was partly linked to an antiretroviral therapy used to help suppress infections. It has been noted that those who were on these antiretroviral continually showed a lower risk than their intermittent counterparts.

Researchers believe that the elevated heart disease risk may be directly related to chronic inflammation caused by having an autoimmune issue. Chronic inflammation is linked to the build-up of plaque in the arteries.

No matter if you are HIV positive, Negative, or Don’t know your status, cardiovascular conditioning is at the very center of our health.  If you are HIV positive or have developed the more advanced Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome it is important to check in with your cardiologist on a regular basis as recommended.

There is a current large-scale trial going on right now. It is called REPRIEVE and is being funded by the National Institutes of Health. It examines whether statins can help prevent cardiovascular disease in those living with HIV.

When the results are published, we will pass them on to our readers here at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM. Give us a call at the office to schedule your consultation. 813-975-2800.

 

02.05.21
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Happiness Proves to be Good for Your Heart

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tampa-cardiovascular-associatesStudies reveal that optimistic, happy, glass half full people are more likely to have good heart health as well.

When you have a positive optimistic outlook you feel better physically.

The study looked at two groups of people who had similar risk for heart disease. The results showed the pessimistic group was more likely to experience heart attack or stroke.

Julie K. Boehm, PhD Harvard Researcher was the study lead. She is quoted as saying that “Historically, studies have focused on the negative impact of depression and anxiety. We wanted to look at the flip side to see how psychological well-being – things like happiness, optimism, and having a sense of purpose – might impact risk.”

Happiness spurs positive life decisions

They tend to sleep more regularly, eat better, and exercise. If you are not naturally an upbeat person don’t be hard on yourself. It can be relearned through behavioral therapy and actively watching your thought patterns to help recognize constant negativity, stop it, and replace it with a healthier thought version.

During a collaborative effort on the part of Harvard with Columbia University they based their findings on a 5 point scale. A patient that was able to monitor their behavior and thoughts and was able to raise their number even just 1 point experienced what translated to a 22% risk reduction. That is impressive and could be life changing for many.

While of course more research is needed, and feelings are not exact quantifiable numbers the evidence is mounting and becoming clear that there is indeed a link between heart health and happiness factor so live your life the best you can and try to look on the bright side of things and find humor.

If you are in the Tampa Bay, Florida area and looking for a great cardiologist we invite you to check out Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM 813-975-2800.

12.02.20
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Can Your Heart Benefit from Using a Sauna Regularly?

sauna heart health

sauna heart healthDry vs. Wet Saunas – Are they good for you and can they help your heart?

The DRY SAUNA:. Dry saunas produce a heavy deep sweat which has a cleansing effect on the body by flushing out toxins and impurities, clearing the glands and the pours. This can be beneficial to your skin, but also for stress relief, relaxation, sooth asthma, soothing aching muscles, and even psoriasis, but did you know that spending time regularly in a sauna can help your cardiovascular health and lower the risk of dementia and even Alzheimer’s Disease?

That’s right! It has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death, heart disease, and even cardiovascular disease. It has also been shown to help those with chronic fatigue, chronic pain, allergic rhinitis, and obstructive pulmonary disease.

Sauna use has also been shown to help boost athletic performance.

The STEAM ROOM: Steam rooms create a moist environment for you to sit in. Humidity produces different results than the dry sauna. It can be used to loosen stiff muscles and joints, break up congestion inside of your lungs and sinuses, and help improve circulation.

The INFARRED SAUNA: The heat produced is a direct result of infrared lamps.  Because they are a lower temperature (about 120 to 140) you can stay in them longer than a regular dry sauna. Infrared offers all the benefits of a dry sauna plus additional healing, weight loss and pain relief.

They even make personal at home saunas if you don’t care to share one at the gym!

No matter which sauna you choose make sure you stay hydrated. Bring a cold bottle of water in with you. Make sure that you are getting your trace minerals as well because you sweat them out.

Start with a shorter session and work your way up. Do not drink alcohol before or right after a sauna session.

What has your sauna experience been? Do you use them regularly? Let us know!

Doing the sauna weekly or even daily is great for the health of your heart!

WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM

813-975-2800

08.05.20
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Chronic Depression & Heart Disease

chronic-depression-heart-disease

chronic-depression-heart-diseaseIf you’ve ever experienced depression you understand that it can sometimes feel like you have a broken or heavy heart. 

Research has shown both that heart disease can cause depression and that depression can cause heart disease. The answer is yes, chronic ongoing depression can lead to physical heart problems.

Things to consider:

  • Depression is the leading cause of disability throughout the entire world.
  • 1 in 3 Americans will die from heart disease.
  • 1 in 20 adults in America experiences major depression each year.
  • 1 in 3 heart attack survivors experiences major depression each year.
  • Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
  • People with a history of depression are 4 times more likely to experience a heart attack within 14 years than those who have no history of depression.
  • Heart disease patients with depression are 4 times more likely to die within 6 months than those without depression.

After reading the above statistics regarding heart disease and depression, it is obvious that heart disease and depression are related, though how and why they are related is a much more complex issue. Let’s begin by examining the potential ways in which depression can lead to heart disease. Have you ever heard the phrase “stress kills”? While this statement may seem a little overly dramatic, it does have a lot of basis in medical facts. When a person is stressed out, the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released and the sympathetic nervous system is activated, oftentimes referred to as a person’s “fight or flight” response. When a person is depressed, it often results in a chronically elevated level of these hormones, a situation that can have detrimental effects on the heart over time.

On the other hand, depression has been known to occur as a result of heart disease. In one recent study, nearly half of all patients examined a week following a major heart disease surgery showed beginning signs of clinical depression. But why is this? While the relationship between heart disease and depression is still under study, one possible answer is that patients who have recently undergone major heart surgery tend to feel slow and sluggish, finding it difficult to get back into their regular routines. If their regular routines have been threatened by heart disease or they must change their lifestyles drastically in order to adjust to new health concerns, they will understandably start to feel a sense of discouragement and hopelessness.

In addition, heart disease patients with depression often do not receive the correct medical treatment in order to address both issues simultaneously. This can in part be due to the actions of the patient directly, as depression can make it difficult for people to remember to take care of themselves, and patients may forget to take their medications or simply not feel the motivation to do so. Similarly, they may also lack the motivation and energy to keep their follow-up appointments even simply. Furthermore, many cardiologists and primary care doctors simply don’t have the experience with or exposure to patients with mental illness the way psychiatrists and psychologists do and may not be able to properly recognize when a patient is experiencing depression. For this reason, heart disease patients with depression often get overlooked for their depression and are not effectively treated for it the way a patient seeking treatment for mental illness specifically would.

While there are still a lot of unknowns regarding the relationship between depression and heart disease, both conditions can be effectively treated with proper recognition and monitoring. For compassionate cardiologists who care about the overall health of their patients and not just medical issues addressed by them specifically, contact the Tampa Cardiovascular Associates by calling (813) 975-2800 today.

Our physicians are always here for you and are happy to address any concerns you have related to your heart health or to refer you to a qualified mental health specialist. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM. 

01.03.20
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Coronary Angioplasty – The Pros and Cons

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What is Coronary Angioplasty?
Angioplasty involves the insertion and inflation of a tiny balloon inside of your blocked blood vessel. This helps to improve blood flow by enlarging the area that your blood has to flow through. During some procedures, a stent (a piece of supportive wire mesh) is placed inside of the vessel to help keep it open and continue promoting healthy blood flow. Stents are placed and left in permanently.

Why Doctors Select Coronary Angioplasty
Stenting and angioplasty are minimally invasive alternatives to coronary bypass grafting surgery (which has a much higher complication risk). This is due in part to anesthesia during stenting. Recovery is much simpler as well. Patients are able to resume their normal activities within just a day or two.

Benefits of a coronary angioplasty or stenting procedure include:

  • Coronary Angioplasty can be performed during a heart attack to restore blood flow and potentially save your life.
  • It may lessen your risk of future stroke.
  • May prevent gangrene by increasing blood flow to the legs.
  • This procedure can reduce the symptoms of heart disease.
  • It can improve kidney function.

Uncommon Downside to Coronary Angioplasty
Complications are much less common in angioplasty and stenting procedures than they are with coronary bypass grafting surgery, patients should need to be notified of the potential risks. The most common complication as a result of angioplasty is simply the necessity for a repeat procedure later on, which generally only happens if a coronary artery re-narrows. The best thing that you can do is to ensure that you follow all of your doctor’s instructions, and be aware of the following issues that may arise:

  • A rare percentage of patients are allergic to the stent itself
  • Scar tissue may cause the need for repeat procedures
  • Blood vessels may become damaged at the insertion point
  • Blood clots can form inside stents
  • An artery can collapse or close
  • The more major arteries that are involved, the greater the risk
  • If angioplasty fails, coronary bypass surgery may be needed
  • Some patients may experience side effects to the medications given post-procedure

Any procedures to do directly with the heart can send people into a state of anxiety. But the important thing to know is that you are in great expert hands with the physicians of Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. This is a procedure they have performed successfully time and time again.

For further advice on angioplasty and other coronary surgeries, or to schedule an appointment of your own, never hesitate to contact the skilled cardiologists of Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. Simply call our offices at (813) 975-2800 and any of our friendly staff members would be happy to assist you in getting set up with one of our physicians. www.tampacardio.com.

12.21.19
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The Effect of Sugar Addiction on Your Heart

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Tampa Cardio sugar-and-your-heart-healthSugar hits the pleasure center of the brain in the same way that hard drugs do. This makes refined sugar extremely addictive and very hazardous to your health. Moderation is key and elimination even better.

Until recent years not all that much study had been done on sugar. It was a well-known household dietary staple. The harmful effects of a diet high in sugar are becoming more publicly known, many are still unaware.

The fact is, your sugar intake could very well be harming your health now and into the future. Let’s take a look at how sugar affects the body.

  1. Sugar can compound depression. Though little known or recognized sugar has an effect on mental and cognitive function. It may offer one explanation as to why you feel drained in a short time after eating something sugary. It has also been scientifically linked to anxiety and memory lapses later in life.
  2. Sugar begets heart disease. Heart disease is still the top cause of death worldwide. Recent studies show that a high sugar diet could be a major contributing factor. Elevated levels of fructose can raise your insulin and blood glucose, as well as lead to obesity.
  3. Sugar causes dental issues. The obvious statement of the bunch,  sugar sticks to your teeth and feeds the bacteria. Over time, teeth can decay as a result causing cavities.
  4. Sugar adds weight. If you eat a lot of sugar, you are going to have a higher risk of being overweight.
  5. Sugar is bad for your liver. Excessive sugar consumption will have a similar effect on the liver as if you were an alcoholic. This is because sugar, which turns into fat, becomes lodged in the liver. That can develop into non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
  6. Cancer cells feed on sugar. Numerous studies have shown that there is a connection between sugar consumption and cancer. Sugar consumption creates elevated insulin levels so the body can’t properly regulate the abnormal growth and multiplication of unwanted cells potentially leading to cancer or feeding already existing cancerous cells.
  7. Sugar can spur type II diabetes. Excess sugar can result in insulin resistance, which in turn can result in a highly toxic excess of glucose in the blood. This can cause a number of conditions to develop, perhaps the worst of which is type II diabetes.
  8. Sugar is addictive. Sugar attaches to the same pleasure centers in the brain that result from doing street drugs and opiates. It is equally as addictive. It may be hard for people to practice moderation when it comes to junk food, and when trying to quit, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.

For further guidance that you can trust, make an appointment with the onsite nutritionist available at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates by calling (813) 975-2800.

Our physicians dedicated to keeping your heart health at its best. We’ll do anything we can to help you improve your everyday quality of life through important lifestyle choices. Visit www.tampacardio.com to learn more about our practice.