Congestive Heart Failure Center - Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz Cardiologist Doctors for Congestive Heart FailureType of Physician: Cardiologist What is a Cardiologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners are expert in diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. They consult with surgeons on heart surgery, perform diagnostic procedures, and manage complex conditions such as heart attacks and arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat). Specialty: Cardiology Common Name: Heart Doctor Cardiologist Doctors in Santa Cruz * Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  James Philip Glancy MD  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Anthony Calciano MD  Gerald P O'Grady MD  Ann Carroll & Miguel Vasquez MD  Jeffrey G Mace MD  Ann Carroll & Miguel Vasquez MD  Heart & Lung Ctr  Brennan Medical Group  Brennan Medical Group  National Avenue Medical Associates  Heart Associates  Casey & Green Inc  Gold Hirschfeld & Siegel MD  Casey & Green Inc  Gold Hirschfeld & Siegel MD  Ada A Koransky MD  Heart Associates  Michael R Nagel MD  Richard Parrish MD  Heart Associates  Heart Associates  Gold Hirschfeld & Siegel MD  Chung H Liao MD  Ronald G Kite MD  San Jose Cardiology  San Jose Cardiology  San Jose Cardiology  Wentzien Thomas MD  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Santa Clara Kaiser Permanente Electrophysiology  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Santa Clara Kaiser Permanente Electrophysiology  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Cardiology  Santa Clara Kaiser Permanente Electrophysiology  Forest Avenue Medical Group  Pascual Izquierdo MD  San Jose Medical Group Cardiology  Robert Quint MD  Charles Tuffli MD  San Jose Medical Group Cardiology  Silpa Avula MD & Anthony C Lopez MD  David Hyun MD  Cardiac and Vascular Care  Mohammad Shenasa MD  Mohammad Shenasa MD  South Valley Multi Specialty Group  ANTHONY C. LOPEZ M.D.  South Valley Multi Specialty Group  CVI Medical Group  CVI Medical Group  CVI Medical Group  CVI Medical Group  CVI Medical Group  CVI Medical Group  Joseph C Chao MD FACC  Cesar R Molina MD INC  Cesar R Molina MD INC  Cesar R Molina MD INC  Altos Cardiovascular Associates  Altos Cardiovascular Associates  Altos Cardiovascular Associates  Altos Cardiovascular Associates  Ngai Nguyen MD  James Weidner MD  David A Clark MD  Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Cardiology  Camino Medical Group  Camino Medical Group  Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Cardiology  Camino Medical Group  Camino Medical Group  Camino Medical Group  Chanwell Medical Group  Anuradha Chirala MD  Cardio Pulmonary Associates  Cardio Pulmonary Associates  Cardio Pulmonary Associates  Cardio Pulmonary Associates  Cardio Pulmonary Associates  Cardio Pulmonary Associates  Cardio Pulmonary Associates  Cardio Pulmonary Associates  Cardio Pulmonary Associates  Mohammed Habeeb Ahmed MD  John H Lien MD  Dushyant Patel & Mandakini Patel MD's  Shahid K Siddiqui MD  Fayaz Asghar MD  Patrick W Pau MD & Adrian Ma MD  Patrick W Pau MD & Adrian Ma MD  Rajesh Prasad MD  Palo Alto Veterans Hospital Cardiology  Palo Alto Veterans Hospital Cardiology  Palo Alto Veterans Hospital Cardiology  Palo Alto Veterans Hospital Cardiology Santa Cruz, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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Congestive Heart FailureRead the Congestive Heart Failure article » What is congestive heart failure?Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart's function as a pump is inadequate to deliver oxygen rich blood to the body. Congestive heart failure can be caused by:
The heart has two atria (right atrium and left atrium) that make up the upper chambers of the heart, and two ventricles (left ventricle and right ventricle) that make up the lower chambers of the heart. The ventricles are muscular chambers that pump blood when the muscles contract. The contraction of the ventricle muscles is called systole. Many diseases can impair the pumping action of the ventricles. For example, the muscles of the ventricles can be weakened by heart attacks or infections (myocarditis). The diminished pumping ability of the ventricles due to muscle weakening is called systolic dysfunction. After each ventricular contraction (systole) the ventricle muscles need to relax to allow blood from the atria to fill the ventricles. This relaxation of the ventricles is called diastole. Diseases such as hemochromatosis (iron overload) or amyloidosis can cause stiffening of the heart muscle and impair the ventricles' capacity to relax and fill; this is referred to as diastolic dysfunction. The most common cause of this is longstanding high blood pressure resulting in a thickened (hypertrophied) heart. Additionally, in some patients, although the pumping action and filling capacity of the heart may be normal, abnormally high oxygen demand by the body's tissues (for example, with hyperthyroidism or anemia) may make it difficult for the heart to supply an adequate blood flow (called high output heart failure). In s... Recommended Reading Related to Congestive Heart FailureWhat is Paget's disease?Paget's disease is a chronic condition of bone characterized by disorder of the normal bone remodeling process. Normal bone has a balance of forces that act to lay down new bone and take up old bone. This relationship (referred to as "bone remodeling") is essential for maintaining the normal calcium levels in our blood. In bone affected by Paget's disease, the bone remodeling is disturbed and not synchronized. As a result, the bone that is formed is abnormal, enlarged, not as dense, brittle, and prone to breakage (fracture). Paget's disease affects older skeletal bone of adults. It's estimated that 1% of adults in the U.S. have Paget's disease. There is also an extremely rare form of Paget's disease in children, referred to as juvenile Paget's disease. Paget's disease is also known as osteitis deformans.
What causes Paget's disease?It is not known what causes Paget's disease. Recently, certain... Other Related Congestive Heart Failure ArticlesEmergency Contact for Santa Cruz
Nearby Santa Cruz Hospitals *Dominican Hospital Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center Watsonville Community Hospital Good Samaritan Hospital Mission Oaks Good Samaritan Hospital San Jose El Camino Hospital of Los Gatos Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center Santa Clara Valley Medical Center O'Connor Hospital Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center Saint Louise Regional Hospital El Camino Hospital Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Medical Center of San Jose Natividad Medical Center VA Palo Alto Health Care System Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System Stanford Hospital & Clinics Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Menlo Park Surgical Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Congestive Heart Failure by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Low Blood Pressure
- Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is blood pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. Some of the symptoms of low blood pressure include light-headedness, dizziness, or even fainting if not enough blood is getting to the brain. Diseases and medications can also cause low blood pressure. When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys; the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged.
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High Blood Pressure
- High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. There are two causes of high blood pressure, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is much more common that secondary and its basic causes or underlying defects are not always known. It is known that a diet high in salt increases the risk for high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Genetic factors are also a primary cause. Secondary high blood pressure is generally caused by another condition such as renal hypertension, tumors, and other conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure is generally lifestyle changes and if necessary, diet.
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Liver Disease
- Liver disease can be cause by a variety of things including infection (hepatitis), diseases such as gallstones, high cholesterol or triglycerides, blood flow obstruction to the liver, and toxins (medications and chemicals). Symptoms of liver disease depends upon the cause; however, common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, and jaundice. Treatment depends upon the cause of the liver disease.
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Edema
- Edema is the swelling of tissues as a result of excess water accumulations. Peripheral edema occurs in the feet and legs. There are two types of edema, non-pitting edema and pitting edema. Causes of pitting edema is caused by systemic diseases, most commonly involving the heart, liver, and kidneys. Local conditions that cause edema are thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Edema is generally treated with medication.
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Hyperthyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone resulting from an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart rate, weight loss, depression, and cognitive slowing. Treatment is by medication, the use of radioactive iodine, thyroid surgery, or reducing the dose of thyroid hormone.
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Angina
- Angina is chest pain that is due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease or spasm of the coronary arteries. EKG, exercise treadmill, stress echocardiography, stress thallium, and cardiac catheterization are important tests used in the diagnosis of angina.
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Heart Attack
- Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical instability of the heart.
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Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly)
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Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)
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Emphysema
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Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)
- Potassium is an essential electrolyte necessary for cell function. Low potassium (hypokalemia) may be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, ileostomy, colon polyps, laxative use, diuretics, elevated corticosteroid levels, renal artery stenosis, and renal tubular acidosis, or other medications. Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, aches, and cramps of the muscles. Treatment is dependant upon the cause of the low potassium (hypokalemia).
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Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are premature heartbeats originating from the ventricles of the heart. PVCs are premature because they occur before the regular heartbeat. There are many causes of premature ventricular contractions to include: heart attack, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, hypokalemia, hypoxia, medications, excess caffeine, drug abuse, and myocarditis.
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Paget's Disease
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Abnormal Heart Rhythms (Heart Rhythm Disorders)
- Heart rhythm disorders vary from minor palpitations, premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), sinus tachycardia, and sinus brachycardia, to abnormal heart rhythms such as tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), Wolf-White-Parkinson syndrome, brachycardia, or heart blocks. Treatment is dependant upon the type of heart rhythm disorder.
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Aortic Stenosis
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Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
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Heart Murmur
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Heart Valve Disease
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Heart Disease
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Pulmonary Edema
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Chronic Bronchitis
- Chronic bronchitis is a cough that occurs daily with production of sputum that lasts for at least three months, two years in a row. Causes of chronic bronchitis include cigarette smoking, inhaled irritants, and underlying disease processes (such as asthma, or congestive heart failure). Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Treatments include bronchodilators and steroids. Complications of chronic bronchitis include COPD and emphysema.
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Interstitial Lung Disease
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Insomnia
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Bronchiectasis
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