LOS ANGELES CARDIOLOGIST - HEART SPECIALIST

A cardiologist works with the cardiovascular system. A cardiologist’s duties include diagnosing and preventing heart diseases, performing tests on the cardiovascular system, and managing heart problems. Cardiology is a sub-specialty of internal medicine, and cardiologists can be invasive, interventional and non-invasive. Cardiologists receive extensive education, including four years of medical school and three years of training in general internal medicine. After this, a cardiologist spends three or more years in specialized training. There are reputed Cardiologists Los Angeles who are highly talented and experienced are board certified.

If one’s general medical doctor feels that one might have a significant heart or related condition, he or she will often call a cardiologist for help. Symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pains, or dizzy spells often require special training. Sometimes heart murmurs or ECG changes need the evaluation of a cardiologist. Cardiologists help victims of heart disease return to a full and useful life and also counsel patients about the risks and prevention of heart disease. Most importantly, cardiologists are involved in the treatment of heart attacks, heart failure, and serious heart rhythm disturbances. Their skills and training are required whenever decisions are made about procedures such as cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, or heart surgery. Cardiologists usually begin with a review of the patient’s medical history and perform a physical examination which may include checking the patient’s blood pressure, weight, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Some problems may be diagnosed by the patient’s symptoms and the doctor’s findings when the patient is examined. Additional tests such as ECG, x-rays, or blood tests may be needed. Other problems require more specialized testing. The cardiologist may recommend lifestyle changes or medicine.

A CT Heart Scan is a diagnostic procedure which gives cardiologists clear 3D images of the coronary arteries without having to do an invasive angiography. Different types of cardiac CT scans are used to detect varying problems of the heart, including blood clots or other blockages in coronary arteries, or problems with the aorta or heart valves. Traditional CT Heart Scans involve the use of very small doses of high-energy radiation to take pictures of the heart. As the patient stands or lies down, an x-ray machine moves around the body, slowly taking pictures of the heart from multiple angles. In some cases, doctors inject a dye containing iodine into a vein prior to the procedure in order to enhance these pictures. A computer then combines these individual x-rays into a single, three-dimensional image of the heart which doctors can examine for various defects and blockages.

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.

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.