Patient Education

The Woodlands Heart & Vascular Center would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

The Woodlands Heart & Vascular Center provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Angina

Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, as a result of coronary heart disease. When plaque forms on the inner walls of the coronary arteries, blood flow is slowed. As this plaque builds, the heart must work harder to ensure blood flow. This buildup of plaque, known as atherosclerosis, causes the heart to gradually become oxygen-starved, producing pain in the surrounding tissue. Angina may feel like pressure or a squeezing pain in the chest and is often associated with a range of other symptoms, including shortness of breath, dizziness sweating, nausea, and fatigue. ...

Aortic Regurgitation

Aortic regurgitation, also known as aortic insufficiency, occurs when the aortic valve does not close tightly, causing blood to leak back into the left ventricle of the heart. The aortic valve connects the heart to the aorta and helps blood flow through the body. The abnormal functioning of the valve can occur suddenly or gradually, leading to heart palpitations, endocarditis or heart failure. ...

Aortic Valve Stenosis

The opening between the left ventricle of the heart and the aorta is the aortic valve. The valve normally prevents blood from flowing back into the heart while allowing blood to flow freely away from the heart. If the valve opening is narrowed for any reason, aortic valve stenosis will result, causing the heart to work harder and the walls of the ventricle to become thicker. ...

Arterial Doppler

An arterial doppler is a non-invasive diagnostic test performed to evaluate blood flow in different areas of the arms and legs. Doppler technology uses sound waves to identify differences in blood pressure in various areas and to help diagnose narrowing or blockage of major arteries. Symptoms which may alert patients and doctors to possible trouble may include: ...

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition that involves a gradual buildup of fats and cholesterol in the arteries. This is caused by fatty materials that collect along the artery walls and harden into a substance called plaque. This syndrome may affect any arterial blood vessel in the body, but is most commonly associated with the coronary arteries. As the plaque builds upon itself, it slowly narrows the diameter of the artery, increasing blood pressure and contributing to other cardiovascular disorders. Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. ...

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular or too-rapid beating (contraction) of the heart's upper chambers (atria) that affects the movement of blood into the heart's lower chambers (ventricles). It can lead to stroke or heart failure. When the movement of blood is irregular, blood may pool and form a clot; if a clot breaks off and travels to an artery leading to the brain, stroke can result. When the heart is incapable of pumping the amount of blood required to meet the body's needs, heart failure can result. Atrial fibrillation affects more than 2.7 million people in the United States, and often requires medical intervention. ...

24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitor

An ambulatory blood pressure monitor is a small device worn on a belt, with a blood pressure cuff wrapped around the arm under the clothes for a 24-hour period in order to regularly check blood pressure levels.

Reasons for a 24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitor

Patients who have uncontrollable high blood pressure may be required to use the monitor. Patients may be asked to wear the monitor if they are: ...

Blood Thinners

Blood thinners are medications used to prevent blood clots from forming in the circulatory system. If a blood clot forms in a vein or artery, it can travel to the heart, brain or lungs, causing, depending on the clot's location, a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. People who have irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation) or congenital heart defects, or who have had coronary stents inserted or undergone heart-valve surgery, have a greater likelihood of getting blood clots. ...

Body Mass Index

Body mass index, or BMI, is a calculation of total body fat based on height and weight. It is used to determine whether a patient is underweight, at a healthy weight or overweight. A high BMI can alert both doctor and patient to potential health risks associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, breathing difficulties, severe sleep apnea or certain cancers. A low BMI can help to diagnose various illnesses which lead to or are precipitated by malnutrition, such as anemia, eating disorders or other types of cancer. ...

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat heart conditions. During the procedure, a catheter (a long, thin tube) is inserted into a blood vessel in the arm, groin or neck, and guided to either the right or left side of the heart. When the catheter reaches the heart, it can be used to perform a number of diagnostic tasks and, in the case of left heart catheterization, repairs. ...

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a customized and medically supervised program of exercise and education, designed to help patients recuperate from a heart attack, and other forms of heart disease or heart surgery. The focus of this program is help individuals regain strength, resume regular activities, reduce the risk of future heart-related problems and improve their health and quality of life. ...

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that causes the heart muscle to become enlarged, thick or rigid. This condition makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Cardiomyopathy can be caused by a number of different factors, which may produce different symptoms and require different treatments. Although it can be a serious condition that may lead to life-threatening complications, many cases of cardiomyopathy can be effectively treated to reduce symptoms and damage. ...

Cardiovascular Disease FAQs

The heart is a muscle that pumps oxygenated blood from the arteries throughout the body. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the buildup of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, the arteries that supply blood to the heart. These fatty substances, such as cholesterol, fat or cells that collect along the lining of the coronary arteries are called plaque. Most of the plaque build-up, either in the heart or the blood vessels, develops over the course of time. Because the arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart, any blockage left untreated can result in the risk of the patient experiencing a heart attack, stroke or even death. ...

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is a medical procedure used to treat irregular heart rhythm, a condition also known as arrhythmia. Arrhythmia can prevent the heart from pumping enough blood to the rest of the body and eventually lead to a stroke, heart attack or cardiac arrest. Cardioversion helps restore a normal heartbeat through a noninvasive procedure. ...

Heart Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia is an irregular or abnormal heartbeat. A heart arrhythmia may occur when the electrical impulses that control the beating of the heart do not work properly, causing the heart to beat too slowly, too rapidly, or irregularly. While most arrhythmias are harmless, they may be an indication of a serious underlying condition, such as heart disease or a lack of blood flow to the heart. Heart arrhythmias are not uncommon and may be congenital or caused by various factors. ...

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that deliver blood to the heart, are suddenly blocked and cannot supply the heart with blood and oxygen. This blockage causes damage and gradual death of the heart muscle and often requires immediate treatment in order to save the person's life. Also known as a myocardial infarction, heart attacks most often occur as a result of coronary artery disease, a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. ...

Heart Attack FAQs

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when a coronary artery, a blood vessel that delivers blood to the heart, is suddenly blocked and cannot supply the heart with blood and oxygen. This causes damage and gradual death of the heart muscle and requires immediate treatment in order to save the patient's life. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States. ...

Heart Disease in Women

Heart disease is any disease that affects the heart and blood-vessel system and includes: heart attack, stroke, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure. The death rate from heart disease increases as women age, especially after they reach menopause. More women than men die of heart disease each year. Women with heart disease often have different symptoms than men. Symptoms may be much more subtle and inconspicuous than in men and are many times overlooked. This often results in a delayed diagnosis of a heart condition, often at a later and more serious stage than men. The physicians of the Heart Medical Group are well educated in this phenomenon and have the training, skills and experience to treat cardiovascular (heart) disease in women. ...

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart is not pumping blood as it should, making it unable to provide the body's cells with the oxygen and nutrients they require. Despite its name, it is not a complete shutdown of the heart, but rather a chronic and progressive condition, albeit one that is usually treatable with medication and lifestyle changes. Heart failure is responsible for the greatest number of hospitalizations in people 65 years and older. ...

Pediatric Heart Transplantation

A heart transplant is performed to replace a child's diseased heart with a healthy heart from an organ donor. This procedure is performed on children with serious end-stage heart conditions who will not be able to function without a replacement heart. It is most often needed for infants born with complex congenital heart defects, abnormal heart rhythms, and cardiomyopathies. ...

Heart Valve Repair and Replacement FAQs

Close to one million heart valve operations are performed in the United States each year and nearly all of these procedures are done to repair or replace heart valves. The success rate of valve repair or replacement is very high and advances in surgical treatment of diseased heart valves can pinpoint with great accuracy the location, type and extent of valve disease. ...

High Blood Pressure FAQs

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the pressure of the blood flowing against the artery walls is above the normal range. Blood pressure is measured in two sets of numbers. The first number is the systolic reading, which is the pressure when the heart is beating. The second number is the diastolic number, the pressure when the heart is resting. High blood pressure occurs when the systolic reading is at 140 or higher and/or the diastolic reading is 90 or above. ...

High Blood Pressure Management

Despite taking medication, many patients have problems regulating their blood pressure. The physicians of The Heart Medical Group are here to help. Our physicians use advanced medical therapies, and offer counseling on lifestyle modifications and natural pathways, to help patients get their blood pressure to healthy levels. We also help patients who are experiencing side effects from previously prescribed medications to find alternative treatments. ...

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is produced by the liver, the intestines and nearly all tissues in the body. Cholesterol is needed for the production of hormones, vitamin D, and the bile necessary to digest fats in food. Cholesterol also protects cell membranes from changes in temperature. Although a certain amount of cholesterol is needed, too much is unhealthy. An excessive amount of cholesterol can block blood flow in the arteries, which can lead to a stroke. High cholesterol does not have symptoms, but a simple blood test can determine its presence. Cholesterol levels can be controlled or reduced with an active and healthy lifestyle, although, in some cases, medication will be necessary. ...

Mitral Valve Stenosis

Mitral valve stenosis, also known as mitral stenosis, occurs when the mitral valve, the opening that separates the upper and lower left chambers of the heart, becomes narrowed. This prevents the valve from opening fully and blocks the blood from flowing between the upper and lower chambers. This condition can lead to: ...

Nuclear Cardiology Stress Testing

A nuclear cardiology stress test, also known as myocardial perfusion imaging, is used to determine if the heart is receiving an adequate blood supply under both stress and rest conditions. It involves injecting into the bloodstream a small amount of radioactive material that then circulates through the body, helping to evaluate the blood flow and function of the heart. ...

Nutrition

Proper diet is essential to maintaining good health. Keeping the body well-nourished and at a healthy weight has been proven to improve mood, quality of life and longevity. It may also go a long way in preventing or controlling many serious illnesses. Obesity, which has now reached epidemic proportions in the United States, and an enemy of good health, can be kept at bay through proper nutrition along with a program of healthy exercise. ...

Obesity

Obesity is a chronic condition defined by an excess of body fat. Body fat has several important functions in the body, such as storing energy and providing insulation. Excess body fat, however, may interfere with an individual's health and well-being, particularly if a patient becomes morbidly obese. Not only does obesity interfere with everyday activities, it also increases the risk of developing serious medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity is a serious health issue presently reaching epidemic proportions in society. It results in medical complications and early morbidity for a great many people. Other health conditions caused or exacerbated by obesity may include heart disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and asthma. The good news is that obesity is a treatable ailment and that modern medicine provides more remedies for the condition than previously existed. ...

Palpitations

Patients who experience heart palpitations feel that their hearts are beating rapidly (tachycardia), fluttering, beating irregularly, or pounding. Normally, heart palpitations are not serious and are often triggered by stress, anxiety, exercise or certain medications. Heart palpitations may occur while the patient is sitting, standing, or lying down, during or immediately after strenuous activity, or during periods of rest. They are occasionally felt in the throat or neck, as well as in the chest. ...

Pericarditis

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the protective sac surrounding the heart that helps cushion it from surrounding structures. The pericardium has two layers, which are separated by a small amount of fluid. When these layers become inflamed, they can rub against the heart, and cause chest pain, which can be mistaken for a heart attack. Pericarditis is classified as either chronic or acute. ...

Venous Ultrasound

Venous ultrasound is used to diagnose vascular conditions in the legs. This procedure can effectively detect blood clots in the legs that may cause dangerous conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. While many diseased leg veins are visible on the skin in the form of varicose or spider veins, some patients may experience significant venous reflux, or back flow, that can only be detected through ultrasound imaging. A venous ultrasound shows a thorough, detailed image of the veins, along with the direction of blood flow, to help accurately diagnose vascular conditions. ...

Varicose Veins

Varicose veins, which appear as unsightly bulges, usually on the legs, may be a medical, as well as cosmetic, problem. Varicose veins affect both men and women. According to the The National Institutes of Health, a quarter of patients who suffer from this condition are men. More women seek help for this disorder than men not only because more women suffer from them, but because in our culture women expose their legs more frequently to public view. Regardless of gender, however, varicose veins can be a serious problem requiring medical intervention. ...

Women and Heart Disease

Heart (cardiovascular) disease is the leading cause of death in women older than 40. The death rate from heart disease increases as women age, especially after they reach menopause. It has claimed the lives of more women than men since 1984, and is responsible for the deaths of more women than breast and lung cancers combined. Each year, one of every four women in the United States will die from heart disease, with African-American women having a higher death rate than Caucasian women. ...