tampa cardiac surgeon Archives - Page 2 of 3

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Blood pressure and heart health go hand in hand. Your blood pressure reading reflects two numbers, systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Your systolic pressure measures the pressure of the blood against your artery walls when the heart pumps blood out during a heartbeat, while your diastolic pressure measures this pressure in-between heartbeats when your heart is full of blood. Ideally, your blood pressure should read below 120/80. One in three American adults suffer from high blood pressure. One thing you can do to keep your blood pressure in check is to eat a balanced diet. Certain foods are known to increase your blood pressure. We suggest you avoid the following foods or limit them in your diet to keep your blood pressure in a good range:

Soda/sweetened beverages – Sugar-loaded drinks can quickly lead to weight gain; excessive weight on the body can raise a person’s blood pressure.
Processed meats and other foods – Deli meats like turkey or ham are loaded with sodium, which can raise a person’s blood pressure. Lots of packaged foods contain high amounts of sodium, e.g. canned soup, frozen meals, tomato sauces, canned vegetables and bread. These foods have a lot of sodium, because this ingredient is used to preserve the foods.
Baked goods – Cakes, doughnuts, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, pies and more are loaded with sugar, but also contain a lot of saturated and trans fats. Both these “bad” fats are known to increase blood pressure.
Candy – When you eat a piece of candy, you’re basically consuming empty calories and a lot of sugar; candy can spike your sugar levels and can lead to weight gain.
Alcohol – Excessive use of alcohol can lead to weight gain and dehydration both of which can lead to an increase in blood pressure.

Each day, you should aim to keep your sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams; sugar should be limited to 37.5 grams per day for men and 25 grams per day for women. It’s best to avoid or limit the above foods and opt for water, 100 percent fruit juices, fresh meat, fruit, homemade (healthier) desserts, nuts, legumes, vegetables, and whole grains.

If you currently have high blood pressure or heart disease, it’s wise to discuss with your doctor the best meal plan for you. If you suffer from mitral valve disease or aortic valve disease and need surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac surgeon treating patients in the Tampa, Clearwater and New Port Richey areas of Florida. To book an appointment, click here or call 727-312-4844.

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One in four women dies of heart disease in the United States each year; this means about one woman dies every minute of this disease in this country. A new study from researchers in China is suggesting that breastfeeding may lower a woman’s risk of heart disease and stroke. So not only does the baby reap major benefits from breastfeeding, the mother does, as well.

In this study, researchers analyzed around 300,000 women in China. Women who had breastfed were 8 to 10 percent less likely to develop heart disease and stroke compared to mothers who did not breastfeed. Mothers who breastfed for 2 years or more were found to have an 18 percent less chance of developing heart disease compared to women who did not breastfeed. They saw a mother’s risk of these conditions decreased even further (3 to 4 percent) with every additional 6 months of breastfeeding.

Although this particular study cannot prove for certain that breastfeeding caused these women to have a lower risk, it does show that breastfeeding has benefits for the mother when it comes to her cardiovascular health. Researchers say this lowered risk of heart disease and stroke may be related to a metabolism “reset” that occurs following the pregnancy. It is hoped that these findings will help encourage more women to breastfeed.

Beyond cardiovascular health, it has been commonly known due to past studies that mothers who breastfeed can experience a lot of health benefits including weight loss, lowered blood pressure, lowered glucose levels, and lowered cholesterol.

Researchers want to conduct further studies on this subject matter with women in other countries to see if they can confirm these findings.

Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends women exclusively breastfeed for the baby’s first six months. After six months, mothers can breastfeed until 12 months while introducing foods into the baby’s daily diet.

Whether you have breastfed or not, as a woman you should pay close attention to your heart health. If you are currently suffering from heart disease and are looking for a cardiac surgeon, Dr. Peter Mikhail specializes in mitral valve surgery and aortic valve surgery in the Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey area. To book an appointment, click here or call 727-312-4844.

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Get up, and get moving! Exercise is essential to heart health. However, you don’t have to be overly athletic or a marathon runner to reap the benefits of exercise. According to the American Heart Association, a person can improve his or her overall cardiovascular health by participating in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (or a combination of both) per week. Exercise comes in many different forms, from running and lifting weights to Zumba class and walking. For this article, we focus on the benefits from one particular type of exercise, Yoga.

Yes, yoga. This form of exercise is much more than a bunch of funny-looking body positions. People have been practicing yoga for more than 5,000 years to help rejuvenate the body and help themselves live a longer life. Yoga has been shown to have numerous benefits including helping reduce stress and bring clarity and peace to a person’s mind. Recently, a new study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology said that yoga may help lower a person’s risk for heart disease in the same way as walking or another conventional exercise.

In this study, people of all ages and health conditions saw improvements in their health while participating in yoga. These people lost weight, lowered their blood pressure, and lowered their LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.

Yoga is physical but it also involves a lot of breathing exercises and meditation. These activities can all have positive effects on the heart and body. Yoga’s impact on muscles and the mind can help control blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and calm the nervous system, which can reduce stress in the body. Yoga can also help increase a person’s aerobic capacity, and has also been known to help people with atrial fibrillation have fewer episodes.

Yoga classes are available for people of all experience levels. If you have a health condition or aren’t in great shape, a beginner class is a great way to learn all the moves in a slow, controlled way that isn’t intimidating. Hatha yoga is good for beginners, while Vinyasa yoga is better for those individuals who are more experienced and physically fit. Bikram yoga or Hot yoga, which is yoga in a room with a temperature of more than 105 degrees, is not recommended for people with heart conditions like heart disease.

If you currently have heart disease, talk to your doctor about taking a yoga class. If you’re a candidate for heart valve surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail performs mitral valve surgery and aortic valve surgery in the cities of Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey of Florida. To book a consult, click here or call 727-312-4844.

During your annual physical, a doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope. If the doctor hears anything troubling or odd, he or she will recommend that you have an echocardiogram done on your heart. What is an echocardiogram? An echocardiogram (echo) will show doctors the size, structures, and movements of the parts within your heart. Through this test, a doctor will be able to determine several things, including: the size of your heart, the state of your heart muscles, heart valve problems, problems with your heart’s structure, and signs of blood clots or tumors.

During an echo, a technician will place three electrodes which are attached to an electrocardiograph monitor (ECG or EKG) on your chest. You will be asked to lay down on your left side. He or she will place a wand (with gel on the end) on your chest; the wand is a sound-wave transducer. You may have to change positions a few times during the test, so several areas of your heart will be photographed. Echos are safe and you should feel no discomfort.

An echo lasts for about 40 minutes; you can return to work or other daily activities immediately following. You can eat, drink, and take any medications normally before this test.

There are several different types of echocardiograms and your doctor will determine which one is right for you. Here are brief descriptions of the types of echocardiograms:

Transthoracic echocardiogram – This is the basic echo and is like an x-ray (minus the radiation).
Transesophageal echocardiogram – In this echo, the transducer is inserted down the throat into the esophagus, because the esophagus is close to the heart.
Stress echocardiogram – This echo is taken while the person exercises on a treadmill or stationary bike.
Dobutamine stress echocardiogram – This is a stress echo but without the exercise; the stress is obtained through a drug that makes the body think its exercising.
Intravascular ultrasound – This ultrasound is performed during cardiac catheterization, and the transducer is threaded into the heart blood vessels through a catheter in the groin.

If you’ve had an echo or other stress test, this can help the doctor determine if you are currently suffering from heart valve disease. If you found out you have mitral valve disease or aortic valve disease and need surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail is an experienced cardiac surgeon who specializes in mitral valve surgery and mini-AVR. To book an appointment, click here or call 727-312-4844.

Good fats are good for your heart. Unfortunately, the word “fat” comes with a negative connation in today’s society. When someone hears a food has “fat” in it, he or she assumes the food is “bad,” which isn’t always the case. There are different types of fats in the food we eat. For this blog article, we will focus on the “good” fats, which are known as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are known to lower bad cholesterol levels, lower risk of heart disease, lower risk of stroke, and can also provide the body with the proper, essential fats it needs to function that the body cannot produce on its own.

In fact, consuming healthy fats in your daily diet can potentially give your body the same health benefits as taking a statin drug, according to the American Heart Association. A statin drug is a lipid-lowering medication, which can help reduce people’s risk of heart disease, other cardiovascular conditions, and death.

According to the American Heart Association, polyunsaturated fats can help lower a person’s heart disease risk the best, with monounsaturated fats coming in at second.

Here is a list of some great sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats:

Sunflower oil
Safflower oil
Olive oil
Peanut oil
Avocados
Flaxseed
Sunflower seeds
Walnuts
Tuna
Salmon
Sardines
Trout

Diet is extremely important to a person’s heart health. According to the American Heart Association, if a person decreases the amount of saturated fat (“bad” fat) he or she consumes, and increases the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat intake, he or she can help prevent diseases from forming in the heart and blood vessels. Saturated fat is known to increase LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, which can lead to clogged arteries and cardiovascular disease. Overall, the American Heart Association recommends consuming mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, while limiting saturated and trans fats.

If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, it’s still in your best interest to consume a healthy diet, rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. You want to keep your heart as healthy as possible. If you’re looking for a cardiac surgeon to treat your condition, Dr. Peter Mikhail specializes in treating patients with mitral valve disease and aortic valve disease. He works in the cities of Tampa, Clearwater and New Port Richey in Florida. To book a consult with Dr. Mikhail, click here or call 727-312-4844.

Have a sweet tooth? Cupcakes. Chocolate. Ice cream. These sweet treats are certainly delicious, but they’re best eaten in moderation. Sugar is the main ingredient that makes these foods extra tasty. Unfortunately, too much of this ingredient is harmful to our bodies, including our heart.

According to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2014, a diet high in sugar can raise a person’s risk of dying of heart disease. Even if your weight is in a normal range, you can still be at a higher risk because of your sugar-heavy diet. In this study, people who consumed 17 to 21 percent of their calories from this ingredient had a 38 percent higher chance of dying from heart disease compared to people who only had 8 percent of their calories coming from added sugar. The more sugar a person consumes, the higher the odds are for him or her to die from heart disease.

Most adults in America consume around 22 teaspoons of added sugar in their daily diet, which is well over the recommended amount. According to the American Heart Association, most women should consume no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day, and most men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons of sugar per day.

It’s easy to consume excess sugar in today’s world. Much of the packaged food out there is processed and made with added sugars. Some foods known for their high sugar count include: soft drinks, candy, cakes, cookies, donuts, bagels, fruit drinks, waffles, cereals, sports drinks, ice cream, sweetened yogurt, pies, pastries, and more.

When people consume too much added sugar, they also risk gaining weight, raising their blood pressure, and developing Type 2 diabetes. These high-sugar foods are usually devoid of quality vitamins and minerals, as well.

It’s OK to have these foods in moderation, but for daily sweet cravings opt for fruit instead.

If you currently have heart disease and are looking for a cardiac surgeon, Dr. Peter Mikhail performs mitral valve surgery and aortic valve surgery in the cities of Tampa, Clearwater and New Port Richey in Florida. To book an appointment, click here or call 727-312-4844.

In America, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Because of this startling fact, we want to share some statistics and facts about heart disease with you so you can be better informed on this serious condition.

One in four deaths in America is from heart disease. This means around 715,000 people die each year from this disease. In 2011, 787,000 people died from this condition.
The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease (CHD); CHD kills more than 370,000 people each year.
Around 735,000 Americans each year have a heart attack. In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 42 seconds.
Someone in America dies every minute from something related to heart disease.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are the top three key risk factors that can lead to heart disease.
Obesity, excess weight, excessive use of alcohol, poor diet, diabetes, and inactivity are also risk factors of heart disease.
Heart disease costs America around $207 billion every year.
Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can still be at risk and/or have heart disease.
By the year 2030, around 23.6 billion will have died from a type of heart disease around the world.
80 percent of heart attacks and strokes can be avoided by not smoking, being active, eating healthy, and maintaining healthy blood pressure and sugar levels.
Cardiovascular diseases kill more people than all forms of cancer combined.
In the last 30 years, more women have died from heart disease than men.
15 percent of people who have a heart attack will die from the episode.
France, Australia, Switzerland, Japan and Israel have the lowest rates of heart disease deaths while Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Argentina have the highest rates.
In the USA, states that have the highest rate of heart disease deaths include: Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Michigan.

If you currently suffer from heart disease or have a high risk of developing it, it’s best to talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. If you’re in need of a cardiac surgeon, Dr. Peter Mikhail performs mitral valve surgery and aortic valve surgery in the Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey areas in Florida. To book a consult, click here or call 727-312-4844.

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Are you a candidate for mitral valve surgery? If so, you probably have a lot of questions. Although surgery on the mitral valve can be minimally-invasive these days, it can still be scary going under the knife for a heart operation. Dr. Peter Mikhail is a cardiac and thoracic surgeon who specializes in treating and operating on patients with mitral valve disease. Below, we share some answers to a few questions you may have if you’re deciding to have this surgery.

Do I need my mitral valve repaired or replaced?
Dr. Peter Mikhail will assess the damage to your valve to determine if he is able to repair the valve or if it’s better to replace it. Through his years of experience, Dr. Mikhail can make an educated, experienced decision on which is the best option for you.

Should I choose a mechanical valve or a biological valve?
This is a decision that will be made between you and the doctor. The doctor will look at your history, symptoms, age, and lifestyle to determine which type is better for your body. Mechanical valves require a person be on blood thinners for the rest of his or her life, so a younger, active person may not choose this option. However, mechanical valves do last longer and don’t succumb to wear and tear like a biological valve would. A biological valve will have to be replaced in 10 years or so; this is something a younger patient will need to consider. Again, this is a decision between you and the surgeon.

What tests do I need before this surgery?
You will have an echocardiogram and/or stress test done to determine if surgery is the right course of action.

How long is mitral valve surgery?

The operation itself takes around 45 minutes, but the entire process (prep, closing, etc.) can take up to four hours.

How long am I in the hospital after this surgery?
After surgery, you will spend one to two days in ICU. After ICU, you will be moved to a regular hospital room for several days. The doctor and other medical professionals will monitor your recovery, vitals, and pain. Recovery can take one to three months.

For more FAQ, click here.

To book a consult with Dr. Peter Mikhail, click here or call 727-312-4844. Dr. Mikhail specializes in mitral valve surgery and works out of the Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey areas in Florida.

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Did you know a painkiller, one that’s probably in your medicine cabinet right now, can increase your risk of heart disease? Scary thought, right? Well, over-the-counter NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have been proven to increase the risk of heart disease through heart attacks and strokes. Studies have shown a 20 to 50 percent increase in risk of heart attack when using NSAIDs compared to when not using them.

It’s best to take these types of medications in small doses and for a short time so they will not have serious effects on your heart. Don’t become a regular user.

Common NSAIDs you can find in your home include ibuprofen and naproxen, the most common being Advil, Motrin and Aleve. Aspirin is a type of NSAID but not does not increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. All these over-the-counter NSAIDs are used to treat pain and inflammation in the body.

If you currently suffer from any heart condition, you should take NSAIDs with caution, and definitely talk to your doctor about taking them. For people with heart conditions, NSAIDs can potentially make your conditions worse. You don’t have to stop taking NSAIDs, especially if you’re in a lot of pain, but be mindful of how, when, and why you’re taking them.

Even if you currently don’t have a heart condition, be cautious when taking NSAIDS. If you truly need to take one for pain relief, aim to take the smallest dosage, and not for an extended period.

Studies haven’t proven that NSAIDs cause heart attacks, but some research shows that NSAIDs can increase blood pressure or raise the risk of a blood clot, which can lead to a heart attack.

Even though these NSAIDs are over-the-counter medications, you should be careful with them in the same way you would be with a prescription-level painkiller. Medication is medication, and too much of any kind can do you harm.

If you have heart disease and need surgery on your valves, Dr. Peter Mikhail performs mitral valve surgery and aortic valve surgery in and around Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey, Florida. To book a consult, click here or call 727-312-4844.

A good part of a person’s heart health is dictated by diet. The food we eat can either be our medicine or our poison. Of course, no one has the “perfect” diet. Moderation is key when choosing foods to eat. It is OK to eat some desserts and snack foods on occasion, so long as your diet is full of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, and lean proteins as well. Micronutrients are essential for your body to grow and thrive. Since our diets cannot be perfect on a daily basis, it is OK to supplement one’s diet with vitamins, although it is best to discuss taking vitamins and supplements with your doctor.

If you think you may be deficient in a vitamin, get tested. If you are deficient, your doctor will recommend what to do to get your numbers in a normal range. Many vitamins and supplements can be used to manage cardiovascular health and are a good idea to take to keep your heart in a healthy state, whether you have heart valve disease or not. It should always be your goal to work towards having a healthy heart.

Below, we share some of the best vitamins and supplements you can take that your heart will benefit from and to keep heart disease at bay, or to keep your heart from deteriorating further.

Omega-3 (Fish Oil) – This supplement is great for people who are at risk for heart disease because it helps balance cholesterol and triglycerides. It also helps slow the buildup of plaque in the arteries and is known to lower blood pressure.

Vitamin D – A Vitamin D deficiency can lead to heart problems, including raising the risk for a heart attack.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) – This supplement produces energy in the mitochondria of cells. It is also an antioxidant that fights off free radicals, and manages blood pressure and cholesterol. It also helps with the health of the arteries and heartbeat.

Magnesium – Magnesium helps support relaxation and dilation of vascular and arterial walls. It also helps move potassium and sodium through cells.

Other vitamins and supplements to take for heart health: Niacin, L-carnitine, and turmeric.

If you currently live with heart disease and are considering heart valve surgery, Dr. Peter Mikhail is a specialist in mitral valve and aortic valve surgery. He is based in New Port Richey, Florida. For more information on valve surgery, click here. To book an appointment with Dr. Mikhail click here or call 727-312-4844.

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MITRAL VALVE BLOG

Food to Avoid in Your Diet to Keep Your Blood Pressure in Check

Does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease?

How Yoga Benefits the Heart

What is an Echocardiogram?

Your Heart Likes Good Fat!

Sugar and Its Impact on Your Heart

Stats on Heart Disease

Questions About Mitral Valve Surgery

NSAIDs Link to Heart Disease

The Best Vitamins to Take for Heart Health

Time in the Sauna Can Benefit the Heart

Aortic Stenosis 101

What is Structural Heart Disease?

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