Dr. Kulick received his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine. He performed his residency in internal medicine at the Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center and a fellowship in the section of cardiology at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
While CT angiography should not be used as a "screening"
test in the general population, it is a major new tool in the diagnosis of
coronary artery disease.
In patients at high risk for developing coronary disease (cigarette smokers,
those with genetic risk, high cholesterol levels, hypertension, or
diabetes), who have unclear results with treadmill or other testing, or who have
symptoms suspicious of coronary disease, CT angiography is an excellent next
step in the diagnosis. If the CT scan is normal or only mildly abnormal, it
makes the likelihood of a severe blockage of the coronary arteries
extraordinarily small. Conversely, if the CT scan is significantly abnormal,
cardiac catheterization and angiography are then indicated, to see if
angioplasty,
stenting,
or coronary bypass surgery may be indicated.
In people who have had bypass surgery, CT angiography is
very effective at evaluating the patency of the bypass grafts. In people who
have had coronary stents
, it is sometimes difficult to image the inside of the
stent to see if it is narrowed. Due to these complexities, while CT coronary
angiography is an
exciting new modality, it is imperative to discuss with your physician if this
is the correct test for you. As more experience is obtained, the indications for
the test will become even clearer.
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.
Heart disease (coronary artery disease) is caused by a buildup of cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, heredity, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. There are a variety of tests used to diagnose coronary artery disease. Treatment includes life-style changes, medications, procedures, or surgery.
Cholesterol is the most common type of steroid in the body. The treatment of elevated cholesterol involves not only diet but also weight loss, regular exercise, and medications. By understanding your cholesterol profile you can better manage your cholesterol levels.
Heart attacks are the major causes of unexpected, sudden death among men and women. A heart attack is also a significant cause of heart failure. Learn the risk factors for heart attack such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and other heart conditions. Lowering your risk factor, lifestyle changes, and in some cases medication are the most effective way of preventing a heart attack.
A heart attack is a layperson's term for a sudden blockage of a coronary artery. This photo essay inlcudes graphics, pictures, and illustrations of diseased heart tissue and the mechanisms that lead to coronary artery disease, and possible heart attack.
The heart is a very important organ in the body. It is responsible for continuously pumping oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout your body to sustain life. It is a fist-sized muscle that beats (expands and contracts) 100,000 times per day, pumping a total of five or six quarts of blood each minute, or about 2,000 gallons per day.
Heart RSS
Healthy Living Tips
