A recent study indicates that patients with heart failure, and those who care for them, want more attention paid to their psychological needs.

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According to a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, routine screening for coronary artery disease is of no value for adults with diabetes who have no symptoms of heart problems.

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Dr. Edward Jauch explains the use of medically induced hypothermia for emergency treatment after cardio-pulmonary arrest. This technique is used to lessen injury to the brain in the face of insufficient oxygen delivery from the heart.

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Factors that affect a woman's reproductive health can also have an effect on her heart, new research shows. Giving birth prematurely or delivering a small-for-gestational-age baby is associated with a later risk of cardiovascular disease in the mother. Another study found that when women's ovaries were removed and the estrogen was not replaced through hormone therapy, a woman's overall risk of dying increased, as did her risk of dying of heart disease or stroke.

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A recent report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology indicates that the tightest control of the major risk factors for heart disease seems to provide the greatest protection against cardiovascular problems. Upcoming studies will look at the details and validity of the aforementioned research findings.

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Research indicates that the proportion of children warranting Statins to treat heart disease risk factors is very low. Instead, lifestyle modifications are a preferable and more appropriate method for the vast majority of children at risk for heart disease.

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The advanced imaging technique called contrast echocardiography can have a significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of people hospitalized with heart disease.

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Detailed information on carotid endarterectomy and carotid angioplasty and stenting, including the reasons and preparation for the procedures, risks of the procedures, how the procedures are performed, after care, an anatomical illustration of the circulation of the brain, and illustrations of carotid endarterectomy and carotid angioplasty with stenting at MUSC

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Laura Hipp discusses the experience of discovering her infant daughter had been born with a severe heart abnormality, then later in life having her husband diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer. She describes the high quality of care her family has received at MUSC, in particular the level of individual attention from staff members.

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Dr. Dana King, professor in the Department of Family Medicine, discusses a new clinical trial being conducted to determine the effect of a drug known as pioglitazone on ADMA levels, which has found to be a risk factor for heart disease among diabetes patients. He explains that pioglitazone is already an approved drug for the treatment of diabetes, and that this research is being conducted to determine what added benefits the drug may have. Dr. King provides a description of exactly how this study is conducted on the patient?s part, and the benefits associated with it.

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Dr. John Kratz, professor of surgery in the division of cardiothoracic surgery at MUSC, discusses prevention of what is referred to as a secondary heart attack as well as potential complications following a bypass surgery. Dr. Kratz explains how in many cases a patient may develop a series of arterial blockages without being aware of it, and so by the time the problem is diagnosed, bypass surgery may be required. He also gives an overview of some common conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, and explains the complications that may arise from these conditions. Dr. Kratz concludes this podcast by describing how modern advancements in bypass surgery have greatly improved the quality of life for patients, even as compared to just twenty years ago.

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Learn more about Dr. Matthew Toole, assistant professor in the department of cardiothoracic surgery at MUSC, in his own words as he talks about his specialties and background.

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Dr. John Kratz, professor of surgery in the division of cardiothoracic surgery at MUSC, discusses some potential issues and complications that may affect a patient with a pacemaker. He explains the likelihood of a variety of problems which may arise and what can often be done about them. Dr. Kratz also describes some common recommendations that would be made to pacemaker patients, depending on their age, lifestyle, etc. Dr. Kratz concludes this podcast by explaining why the needs of a child with a pacemaker will differ from the typical elderly patient.

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Detailed information on echocardiogram, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, and after care

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Detailed information on abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, including the reasons and preparation for the procedures, risks of the procedures, how the procedures are performed, after care, an anatomical illustrations of the anatomy of the aorta, an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm, types of aneurysms, and illustrations of abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair and endovascular repair

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Detailed information on exercise echocardiogram, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, and after care

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Detailed information on vascular studies, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, after care, an anatomical illustration of a normal and diseased artery, and an illustration of a carotid artery duplex scan

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Detailed information on percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent placement, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, after care, an illustration of the anatomy of the heart, view of the coron

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Detailed information on heart valve repair or replacement surgery, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, after care, and an anatomic illustration of the valves of the heart

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Detailed information on venogram, reasons and preparation for the procedure, risks of the procedure, how the procedure is performed, after care, and anatomical illustrations of the circulation of the legs and deep vein thrombosis at MUSC

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