Most people associate heart disease with the elderly, but many women of child-bearing age can be afflicted with heart conditions. Without careful medical consideration, these conditions can be problematic during pregnancy.

While many heart conditions – such as pregnancy-induced hypertension or peripartum cardiomyopathy – can develop as a result of pregnancy, women with preexisting heart conditions need to take special care if they become or plan to become pregnant.  Changes to the body may aggravate medical conditions, but it’s possible to have a healthy pregnancy.

New Changes to the Body
During pregnancy, blood flow around the body greatly increases – putting added stress on the heart and blood vessels.  Blood volume increases by up to 50 percent, and the actual amount of blood pumped by the heart (or cardiac output) increases by up to 40 percent.  Heart rate also increases by 10-15 beats per minute.  This means that the heart is working much harder than it did before.

These changes to the heart are part of what causes fatigue during pregnancy (the body is using more energy than usual), and many women will experience light-headedness and shortness of breath.  While these symptoms are normal, the added stress to the heart can prove problematic for women with preexisting heart conditions.

Preexisting Heart Conditions – Planning for a Pregnancy
Women with a heart condition like hypertension (high blood pressure), arrhythmia, heart murmur, aorta disease, cardiomyopathy, rheumatic fever, narrowing of the heart valves or blood vessels, or a previous cardiac even such as a heart attack or stroke should see a cardiologist before planning their pregnancy.  Heart diseases remain the leading cause of death in the United States, and it’s especially important to take care of one’s heart while pregnant.  Cardiac surgery in Panama City center Cardiovascular Institute of Northwest Florida specializes in non-invasive and invasive cardiology, making their practice well-prepared to treat any woman with heart concerns related to her pregnancy.

A cardiologist will be able to examine you and discuss your heart function and whether it is safe for you to become pregnant.  Your cardiologist can also prescribe medication and treatment regimens for you to follow during your pregnancy as well as explain how to react if your condition begins to affect your health.  You may also need to adjust your medication while you are pregnant or breast feeding, and your cardiology specialist can recommend a safe dose.

It’s important for your health and the health of your child to discuss becoming pregnant with your cardiologist.  Under the safe care of a doctor, most women with preexisting heart conditions can safely carry a pregnancy to term.  For more information on a healthy pregnancy with heart problems, visit interventional cardiology Panama City FL center Cardiovascular Institute of Northwest Florida online.

June 10, 2011 (Miami, Florida) – A leading provider of executive health and corporate health programs, concierge medical service EliteHealth has been selected by the southern division of Holman Automotive Group – one of the nation’s top auto dealership and leasing companies – to provide a Wellness Program for their managerial staff.  The move follows a successful implementation of EliteHealth’s Executive Wellness Program in 2010, which has provided concierge medical services to 15 of Holman’s southern executive management group.

More and more companies are recognizing that corporate success is dependent upon the strength of the corporation’s staff – and keeping employees healthy is the best way to improve productivity, reduce sick leave, and prevent sub-par performance while at work.  Offering employees a higher-level healthcare plan also increases employee satisfaction in the workplace and reflects upon the corporation’s positive attitude toward its staff.  By selecting programs from EliteHealth, Holman Automotive Group is demonstrating its dedication to caring for its valuable employees.

The wellness program selected by Holman Automotive Group for their managerial staff serves around 70 managers and features a range of exclusive concierge healthcare services.  Managers will enjoy an annual executive physical exam, which features CIMT cardiac testing, a heart scan, advanced lipid profiling, and chest x-ray; a thorough medical history evaluation; and nutrition counseling.  This intense focus on preventive cardiology and healthcare acts to “ensure they’re not missing any diseases,” says Dr. Perry Krichmar, M.D. and Chief Operations Officer at EliteHealth.  “Holman recognizes this because we had done this last year and it rolled so well with their executives.”  Holman’s managers will also receive priority medical appointments with their physicians as well as a personal Health Care Advocate to help them make appointments, find physicians, manage their medical records, and navigate the healthcare system.

In addition to healthcare and wellness programs for executives and managers, EliteHealth also specializes in Corporate Wellness Programs which offer comprehensive lab testing, 24/7 online access to an ER physician plus their personal medical records through EliteHealth’s patient portal myEliteHealth.com, in-home or in-room doctor visits while traveling, and personal health consultations.  Starting at under $6 per month per employee, these programs offer corporations an extremely affordable way to ensure that the entire staff is well-cared for.  Holman Automotive Group’s southern division has taken a smart step toward total employee health by offering their executives and managers care plans from EliteHealth.

About EliteHealth
A leading provider of concierge medical services, EliteHealth offers comprehensive and affordable healthcare plans for individuals, executives, and corporations as well as executive physicals geared towards improving the health of busy executives.  For more information on care plans, visit http://www.elitehealth.com/executive_healthcare.php or http://www.elitehealth.com/executive_corporate_programs.php.

Yesterday the FDA announced new recommendations for the highest dose of the cardiology drug, Simvastatin after conducting an investigation into whether or not it causes heart muscle damage.

It is now being recommended that the 80mg dose only be used in those who have already been taking it for at least 12 months without evidence of heart muscle damage. No new patients should be prescribed the medication and all those taking it less than 12 months should discontinue its use.

“The FDA has completed its review of the safety of high-dose simvastatin and is making label changes to reduce the risk of statin-associated muscle injury,” said Eric Colman, M.D., deputy director of the Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “We want to ensure that patients and health care professionals are aware of the new labeling changes to simvastatin, including the increased risk of myopathy when using the 80 mg dose of simvastatin.”

Cardiologists Panama City FL are familiar with the drug as it is one of the most common cardiac medications prescribed. In 2010 alone there were over 2.1 million patients prescribed this 80mg medication. Simvastatin in used to help reduce low-density lipoprotien (LDL), also referred to as “bad” cholesterol.

Manufactures of the medication which is sold under the names Zocor, Vytorin and Simcor will be required to make changes to the drug label.

Cardiologist Panama City FL specialize in the areas of non-invasive and invasive cardiology which includes coronary, peripheral and neurovascular angiography and intervention as well as comprehensive cardiac electrophysiology.

Broken Hearts Repair Themselves With New Treatment

Leading cardiac doctors are calling for the Scottish government to provide funding for a minimally invasive heart valve replacement surgery called a TAVI.

TAVI stands for transcatheter aortic valve implantation which is a minimally invasive valve surgery for those suffering from aortic stenosis – a condition in which the heart valve do not function properly. The procedure involves the threading a catheter to the heart via an incision in the groin all the way up to the heart where the valve is replaced.

The TAVI procedure was developed in Europe back in 2002 and has since been widely used as an alternative to traditional open heart surgery for valve replacements, which has a high risk for post-surgical complications.

The TAVI procedure, however, is not funded by the National Health Service for Scotland, making this procedure inaccessible to most.

“There is nothing more upsetting and frustrating for clinicians than to have the skills to give a patient the treatment they need and be denied the opportunity, particularly when it is widely available everywhere else,” says Professor Keth Oldroyd a consultant cardiologist in Glasgow. “TAVI is a proven technology giving normal lives back to the people who receive it. There is increasing evidence that it is cost-effective in this carefully selected high-risk population.”

The Scottish government, however, does not agree. The government said in a statement that the most recent review of this heart valve replacement surgery failed to show enough evidence to make this procedure accessible. However, in light of the Scottish Cardiac Society’s request, a further investigation into the matter will take place.

Lady Gaga recently paid for her father’s minimally invasive valve surgery due to lack of insurance coverage as well.

May 13, 2011 (Philadelphia, PA) – Now a leading provider of concierge doctor Philadelphia medical services, EliteHealth is proudly announcing their newest provider location.  By welcoming internal medicine specialist Dr. Adam Sobel and his practice Sobel Medical Associates to their team, EliteHealth is now prepared to offer premier concierge medical services to residents of the Philadelphia area.

An established practice since 1997, Philadelphia’s Sobel Medical Associates specializes in internal medicine services for a diverse group of patients.  Having been selected by EliteHealth as a prime location for concierge healthcare in Philadelphia, Sobel Medical Associates can now offer both classic internal medical care programs and premier concierge health services through EliteHealth.

Sobel Medical Associates’ new concierge medical services specialize in providing extremely high-quality medical care to patients looking for a more complete, preventive, and comprehensive medical program without interference from red tape and waiting rooms.  Patients have access to priority appointment times and scheduling, 24/7 phone and email access to their physician, and access to their VIP lounge as well as a nationwide network of trusted physicians and hospitals.  EliteHealth members also have access to the patient portal myEliteHealth.com, which allows patients to log in securely and video chat or message their physician, request appointments and prescription refills, track their health, and more.  Members are also provided a personal Health Care Advocate to manage all aspects of their health care experience – such as arranging appointments and finding a specialist, organizing medical care while the patient is traveling, managing medical records, and helping the patient navigate the health care system.

EliteHealth offers a range of other plans, and their Executive and Corporate Wellness memberships provide similar services for companies looking to maximize their employees’ health to improve morale, wellness, and workplace productivity.  Executive Physicals offer another excellent option for employers, employees, and even non-members of EliteHealth; patients will receive a thorough physical exam, lab workup, EKG screening and chest x-rays, nutritional counseling, and more.  Patients can also have a wide range of lab tests performed at Sobel Medical Associates.

“I am very excited to join EliteHealth,” says Dr. Sobel.  “I know my patients will enjoy the personalized care and attention.  The alliance will provide access to care nationally.”  This new location also anticipates a new in-house pharmacy for added patient convenience, plus echo and ultrasound services as well as in-house nutritional consulting.  For more information on EliteHealth’s newest location, visit http://www.elitehealth.com/location/philadelphia_pa_medical_office.

About EliteHealth
EliteHealth is a premier, international concierge medical provider aiming to offer high-quality healthcare with VIP service to patients looking to get the most out of their healthcare.  The Philadelphia office is the newest in a series of offices serving patients around the world.  For more information, visit www.elitehealth.com.

As cardiologists northwest Florida‘s Cardiovascular Institute of Northwest Florida see a wide range of cardiovascular illness and diseases.  While heart disease remains America’s number one killer, other common heart and circulatory system conditions continue to prove problematic and it’s important to stay on top of treatment options.  Carotid artery disease – also called carotid artery stenosis – is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and having solid treatment options available can drastically reduce American deaths from cardiovascular conditions.

What is Carotid Artery Disease?
Carotid artery disease is a condition in which plaque builds up on the inside walls of the carotid arteries – the two large arteries which run from the heart up each side of the neck and supply blood to the brain.  This blood goes directly to the front part of the brain, which controls speech, thinking, motor functions, and personality.  If blood is cut off to this section of the brain, the resulting brain damage can significantly alter the person’s daily functioning, speech, and even their personality.

Carotid artery disease is similar to heart disease in that plaque, which comes from an excess of cholesterol in the diet, build up and narrows the arteries.  Patients with narrowed carotid arteries are at an elevated risk of stroke, and treatment measures should be taken to reduce the buildup of plaque and decrease the patient’s risk.

Treatment Options
While prevention (by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol use) is the best measure to avoid the impact of carotid artery disease, carotid stenting with cardiology Panama City FL experts Cardiovascular Institute of Northwest Florida provides an extremely successful and viable treatment option.  By placing a stent, or a small tube, in the carotid artery, cardiologists are able to increase the blood flow to the patient’s brain and reduce their risk of having a stroke.  The procedure can be completed in under an hour and is non-surgical, which makes it an excellent option for patients who are “high-risk” and cannot have surgical procedures performed.

For these high risk patients, having another interventional option for treating carotid artery disease can make an enormous difference in patient outlook, quality of life, and family life.  For more information, visit www.cardiovascularinstitute.com.

April 8, 2011 (Miami Beach, FL) – After a new a strategic alliance with a top physician in Miami, concierge medical network and executive physical provider EliteHealth is pleased to offer its patients “scarless” surgery for common general surgical procedures – including appendectomy and gall bladder removal surgery.  The procedure is performed via a small incision in the navel (belly button), and patients report less pain and typically recover within 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

On Saturday, March 12^th, a thirty-year-old female EliteHealth patient visiting the Miami Beach area from Venezuela was admitted to top Miami Beach hospital Mount Sinai Medical Center with severe abdominal pain.  After the EliteHealth team was called, she was seen at around 3:00p.m. and diagnosed with acute appendicitis.  The patient was seen by surgeon Dr. Irving Jorge, a performer of minimally invasive surgeries and a concierge doctor who has a strategic alliance with EliteHealth.  Dr. Jorge completed the procedure within one hour, and within 48 hours she was experiencing no pain or visible scars and was ready to go home.

Dr. Jorge has been performing minimally invasive surgical procedures to remove the appendix or gallbladder for two years.  The procedure, referred to in medical terminology as single incision laparoscopic surgery (or SILS), is performed by placing a small, single incision in the belly button rather than on the abdomen.  This allows the surgeon to enter the abdominal cavity while disturbing less surrounding tissue and leaving no scars on the stomach.  The scar produced by the incision is well-hidden in the navel and the procedure is thus termed “scarless.”  The procedure is performed almost weekly at Mount Sinai.

The patient was lucky to be under the care of EliteHealth’s concierge medicine services, as she was provided rapid care and offered a surgical alternative to eliminate scarring.  Always in search of top physicians and surgeons to provide the best care to their patients, EliteHealth approached Dr. Jorge to join their team after seeing him perform this procedure and both are looking forward to an excellent relationship.  Beyond excellent emergency care services, EliteHealth offers concierge and corporate healthcare packages – including executive physical and wellness services – for patients who seek the highest-quality and most complete healthcare experience.  They also have a nationwide network of medical offices.  “Scarless” appendectomy procedures can help EliteHealth patients recover and return to their daily lives in 24 to 48 hours.

About EliteHealth
EliteHealth is a premier national and international provider of concierge medical services, including executive and corporate wellness plans.  Through state-of-the-art technology, top physicians, and 24/7 access, EliteHealth patients are afforded the most comprehensive healthcare experience.  Visit http://www.elitehealth.com for more information.

A new breakthrough in heart surgery technology has put electronics developer Siemens at the forefront of minimally invasive heart surgery technology.  With their new multi-axis Angio system, the company is now able to deliver a product that can help physicians aid patients with heart disease and better treat their conditions.

The new system has been implemented at the Heart Hospital in Qatar, run by Hamad Medical Corporation.  The center envisions the start of a top cardiac and cardiothoracic health facility with a fully integrated system of services.  This new treatment helps them achieve their goals as well as provides their patients with a new interventional procedure.

For state-of-the-art cardiology care in Miami, Florida, the Mount Sinai Medical Center provides minimally invasive procedures, heart valve replacement surgery, preventative screenings and tests, and a range of other cardiac services.  Their website, www.miami-cardiology.com, provides a wealth of helpful information for the interested and informed patient.  Miami Cardiology’s top-of-the-line equipment and techniques set their practice apart from other area cardiologists – as well as their staff of forty physicians and their affiliation with New York’s prestigious Columbia University Medical School.  For more information on heart surgery techniques and procedures, visit them online.

Famed business executive Charles Schwab, of the Charles Schwab Corporation, recently underwent a heart valve replacement surgery in San Diego, California.  The Chairman and founder of his company, Schwab – age 73 – started his company in 1971 and has been working in the financial industry since the early sixties.  His company is now the largest discount brokerage firm in the United States.

The company started as a traditional brokerage firm, but started offering discount brokerage services in 1975 and now boasts almost 8 million accounts.  The company offers the same high-quality brokerage services, but with lower commissions and fees – making their services more affordable.  They have over 300 offices nationwide and also provide investment research, savings, and mutual funds.

Schwab joins a long list of American business executives and key public figures who have undergone heart surgeries.  Dick Cheney had a device implanted to aid the pumping of his heart last July amid speculation about his health.  The former vice president has had numerous heart problems and surgeries.  Humanitarian Mother Teresa passed away at the age of 87 due to a heart attack.  With the progress of medicine bringing us pacemakers, valve surgeries, bypass procedures, and minimally invasive cardiac surgeries, public figures – as well as family members – are living longer and controlling their heart symptoms better.

A top cause of heart valve problems is rheumatic fever – an inflammatory disease that irritates and inflames the heart, brain, skin, and joints.  Rheumatic fever typically develops after a streptococcus infection, and is most often diagnosed in children and teenagers.  The disease can cause heart failure and permanent damage to heart valves.

The disease often sets in about 20 days after an infection such as strep throat.  Symptoms may initially include abdominal pain, joint pain, fever, skin nodules, and nosebleeds.  The disease has many forms and no one test can affirmatively diagnose it; as such, doctors must perform a number of different tests to reach a conclusion as to whether the patient has rheumatic fever.  These tests include blood testing and echocardiograms.  In addition to swelling in the joints and heart, sufferers will experience skin nodules and a condition of jerky, rapid movements called chorea.

Treatment consists of antibiotics – most often penicillin.  Aspirin may also be used to reduce swelling and inflammation.  The disease often returns within the next couple years, and damage to the heart valves caused by rheumatic fever is typically permanent.  Many individuals who have suffered from the disease are candidates for minimally invasive cardiac surgery to repair the damage.  Surgical procedures can replace valves with either a mechanical (false) valve or a biological (animal tissue) valve, and heart valve replacement surgery cost is usually aided by insurance.  Heart valve replacement surgery recovery time is comparatively fast, and young people often heal quicker.  Having a minimally invasive procedure performed rather than a classic open-heart surgery makes recovery even faster.  Options about for people with all types of heart problems, and having a disease that damages the body does not necessarily mean that the body is damaged for life.