Calcium Score, CT Angiogram or Regular Angiogram: Which Heart Test Do You Need?
Quick answer A calcium score helps estimate future risk in selected people without symptoms. A CT angiogram looks at the arteries in suitable people with stable chest pain. An invasive angiogram is used when risk is higher or treatment may be needed. New chest pain needs urgent care, not a screening test. In this article […]
Leaky Mitral Valve: Does It Need Treatment, and Who Is a Candidate for MitraClip?
Quick answer Not every leaky mitral valve needs a procedure. Mild leaks are often monitored. Severe leaks may need surgery or a clip, depending on symptoms, heart size and pumping, the cause of the leak, and your surgical risk. In this article What a leaky mitral valve means The most important question: primary or secondary? […]
Can I Stop My Blood Thinners After a Stent? What to Ask Before Surgery or Dental Work
Quick answer Do not stop stent medicines on your own. Whether you can pause one depends on why and when your stent was placed, and on the bleeding risk of your procedure. Many dental treatments can go ahead without stopping them. Ask your cardiologist before making any change. In this article Why stent medicines matter […]
Coffee and Your Heart: Is Drinking Coffee Every Day Safe?
What you should know about caffeine, blood pressure, palpitations, cholesterol and how much coffee may be too much For many people, the day does not really begin until the first cup of coffee. Some drink one cup in the morning. Others have another at work, one after lunch, and perhaps another in the evening. Then […]
Heart Health Myths: Are the Things We Believe About Our Heart Actually True?
Common misconceptions about heart attacks, cholesterol, exercise, ECGs, age, symptoms and prevention “I’m young. Why should I worry about my heart?” “My cholesterol is normal, so I cannot have a heart attack.” “I exercise every day. That means my arteries must be clear.” “My ECG was normal last year, so my heart is fine.” “Heart […]
hs-CRP Is High: Does It Mean Your Heart Is at Risk?
Understanding inflammation, cholesterol and the hidden side of cardiovascular risk “My cholesterol is normal. My sugar is normal. But my hs-CRP is high. Does that mean I have a heart problem?” This is becoming an increasingly common question. For many years, conversations about heart disease focused mainly on cholesterol. And cholesterol—particularly LDL cholesterol—remains one of […]
Can You Have a Heart Attack Even If Your ECG Is Normal?
Understanding what a normal ECG really means, which symptoms should never be ignored, and what doctors may check next “Doctor, my ECG was normal. So my heart must be fine, right?” This sounds logical. An ECG is one of the first tests performed when somebody comes to a hospital with chest pain. So when the […]
Best Cardiologist in Chennai: Meet Dr. S. Nagendra Boopathy, AIIMS Gold Medalist & US-Trained Interventional Cardiologist
Looking for the best cardiologist in Chennai? Meet Dr. S. Nagendra Boopathy, AIIMS gold medalist and Mount Sinai (New York) trained interventional cardiologist at Sri Ramachandra Medical Center, expert in angioplasty, complex PCI, TAVI and MitraClip.
Sleeping Late Every Night? What It Could Mean for Your Heart
Understanding the connection between late bedtimes, poor sleep, blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease By Dr. S. Nagendra Boopathy, Professor of Cardiology and Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Chennai You finish dinner, settle onto the sofa and open your phone. A few messages turn into half an hour of scrolling. Then you start watching something, reply […]
Is Xylitol in Sugar-Free Foods Safe for Your Heart? What New Research Really Means
“Sugar-free” sounds healthy. That is why many people automatically assume that a sugar-free chewing gum, candy, drink or snack must be a better choice for their health. One sweetener commonly used in these products is xylitol. For years, xylitol has been especially popular in sugar-free chewing gum because it provides sweetness without ordinary table sugar […]