FAQs

Q?

I often feel like my heart skips a beat. Is this normal?

A.

One of the most common complaints that we see in our office is skipped heartbeat or palpitations. The sensation of skipped beats usually comes from extra electrical beats originating in the upper or lower chambers of heart. These extra beats are very common and can increase with stress or increased caffeine intake. As we get older, the frequency of these extra beats tends to increase. Generally, these extra beats do not represent a serious problem, but if they persist, consultation with a cardiologist is recommended.

Q?

How can I improve my HDL, or “good cholesterol” without taking medications?

A.

Consuming monounsaturated fats can improve your HDL as well as reduce triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL). These include olive oils and other vegetable oils, nuts and avocados. Some foods such as peanuts, green peas, sunflower seeds and corn can also raise HDL. Other important strategies to raise HDL include a regular exercise program, alcohol in moderation and the cessation of smoking. Calcium supplements have also been shown to increase HDL levels.

Q?

How does LDL, or bad cholesterol, harm the heart?

A.

LDL or bad cholesterol collects in the walls of blood vessels, causing the blockages of arteries. This process is called atherosclerosis. Higher LDL levels put you at greater risk for a heart attack from a sudden blood clot in an artery narrowed by atherosclerosis.

Getting your LDL cholesterol checked helps determine your risk for heart disease. If your LDL cholesterol is high, treatment can reduce your chance of having a heart attack.

Q?

How can I lower my LDL cholesterol?

A.

Life style changes that involve diet and exercise are the first steps in lowering your cholesterol and your overall risk of heart disease.

An LDL cholesterol-lowering diet is low in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol. Adding fiber and plant sterols (like cholesterol-lowering margarine) can further lower LDL levels. Sticking closely with a cholesterol-lowering diet can lower LDL levels by up to 30%.

Regular aerobic exercise lowers LDL cholesterol even further and increases HDL -- or "good" -- cholesterol.

If diet and exercise don't lower LDL levels enough, drug treatment may be needed. A variety of medications can lower LDL cholesterol. Talk to your cardiologist for more information.

Q?

What’s the biggest misconception about women and heart disease?

A.

A big misconception these days is that women are protected from heart disease. In reality, women have as much heart disease as men. It’s changed from just a few years ago; back when I was training, we’d see men coming in for heart disease in their 30s and 40s, but usually we wouldn’t see women until they were postmenopausal.

Now, with the growing prevalence of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, we’re seeing a lot of heart problems in women at a very young age. All the classic risk factors – cholesterol, hypertension, and smoking – affect women just as much as men.

Q?

Why do women often experience symptoms of heart disease, such as angina (chest pain), differently than men?

A.

Lots of data show that women have more atypical symptoms than men. Women may have angina, or chest pain, but it’s not always the crushing chest pain that men have. It could feel more like indigestion, nausea, jaw or elbow pain.

We don’t know exactly why this is the case. It could be anatomical differences, such as differences in the complex of nerves that innervate the heart; and women’s brains may process some of this information differently than men’s brains. And maybe there’s a true chemical reason, such as the effect of estrogen in the body. But it’s clear that men and women’s bodies are definitely different in terms of symptoms of heart disease.

Q?

Why are women resistant to talking about their heart disease symptoms?

A.

Many women don’t make their health a priority. A lot of women I see are in executive positions; they are extremely focused on their career and don’t want to spend time on their health. Often, I see women with kids, and these moms are very busy. Maybe they’ve gained weight after pregnancy and are now hypertensive or diabetic. Or maybe they’re having symptoms such as chest pain when they walk, but they can’t find time to take care of themselves. Some patients may not even have heart disease yet; they may just need help addressing other risk factors. And I’m here to help.

Q?

What services do you provide at Affinity?

A.

We specialize in the following services:

  • Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI/ABI)
  • Cardiovascular Screening
  • Carotid Ultrasound
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG)
  • Exercise Stress Test
  • Echocardiogram
  • Event/Holter Monitor
  • Nuclear Perfusion Imaging
  • Segmental Pressure
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Stress Echocardiogram

Click here for more details.

Q?

What insurances do you accept?

A.

We accept most major insurances including Medicare of Texas. We are not currently accepting some of the exchange programs, UHC Commumity EPO, and some Aetna HMO's. We are working on being able to accept Baylor Scott & White in the future.