Live Doctor Chats

Talk to an MD About Your Blood Pressure – No Appointment!

November 29th, 2011 By Emory Heart & Vascular Center

 

Do you suffer from high blood pressure and want to ask a physician questions without scheduling an appointment?
High Blood Pressure Chat

One third of people living in the United States  experiences high blood pressure. If you are one of the many who suffer from high blood pressure, join Emory Heart & Vascular Center preventive cardiologist Dr. Susmita Parashar on Tuesday, December 6 at 12:30 p.m. for an interactive online Q & A web chat. The topic is “Diagnosing, Treating and Managing High Blood Pressure.”

Dr. Parashar will be available to answer questions and discuss various topics about hypertension including symptoms, diagnosis, and treating and living with hypertension. To register for the online chat, visit: http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/heart or click the image to the right to be directed to the chat sign-up form.

 

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Are You a Woman at Risk for Heart Disease?

October 5th, 2011 By Emory Heart & Vascular Center

Women Heart Disease ChatDespite the fact that it’s often thought of as a man’s disease, you may be surprised to learn that over 40 million women live with cardiovascular disease and over 8 million have a history of heart attack or chest pain. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women and five times as many women die each year from heart disease than from breast cancer.

It is critical that women take control of their heart health and learn how to protect themselves from this deadly disease.  If you think you could be at risk for heart disease or just want to learn more, join me for an interactive web chat on the topic of Women and Heart Disease. I will be available to answer questions and discuss various topics about women and heart disease including how symptoms are different in women than men, diagnosing heart disease and preventing heart disease.

Women & Heart Disease Online Chat Details:

Chat date: Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Chat time: 12:30pm
Chat registration: Women & Heart Disease: UPDATE CHAT TRANSCRIPT

About Dr. Ijeoma Isiadinso
Dr. Isiadinso is a preventive cardiologist with the Emory Heart & Vascular Center. She specializes in heart disease prevention with special interests in lifestyle modification, cardiovascular risk factor screening, hyperlipidemia and women’s heart disease. She completed her medical education and training at MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine and Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia before joining Emory in 2010. Dr. Isiadinso is an active member in the development of the Emory Heart & Vascular Center’s Women’s Heart Health Program, and she is committed to helping women and men live healthy lives.

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Lone Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) – Takeaways from our Heart to Heart

September 7th, 2011 By Dr. El-Chami

Lone Atrial FibrillationThank you for those who were able to participate in the Emory Heart & Vascular Center Live Chat on Arrhythmias last week! You all had great questions and highly engaged. If you could not join me, you can view the Arrhythmia chat transcript here. We covered a lot of different topics. Please feel free to use the comments below to let us know if you have other heart and vascular topics you would like to cover in future live chats, and we will see if we can organize!

During the chat, there were questions I did not have time to answer. Specifically, I told attendees that I’d be posting a follow up blog on Lone Atrial Fibrillation, a less discussed type of arrhythmia that I got some good questions around.

What is Lone Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)?

Lone Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) is atrial fibrillation seen in patients younger than 60 years with no underlying structural heart disease.  It may be caused by a specific trigger or could occur without any trigger.

What are the possible triggers for Lone Atrial Fibrillation?

Lone A-Fib can be triggered by:

  • Emotional or work related stress
  • Physical Overexertion
  • Alcohol use or overuse
  • Caffeine consumption
  • Infection
  • Dehydration
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Drugs (cocaine, amphetamines, etc)
  • Hypoglycemia

Unfortunately, in the majority of cases of Lone Atrial Fibrillation occur without any triggers. It is probably difficult to avoid all the potential triggers for Lone A-Fib.  But when a trigger exists, it is  typically specific to each individual.  There is no consistent way to safely and effectively manage Lone A-Fib episodes, so I recommend you consult your cardiologist to ensure you are taking the most appropriate steps for your particular case.

You can visit our website to learn more about Emory’s Arrhythmia Program.

Dr. Mikhael El-ChamiAbout Mikhael El-Chami, MD
Dr. El-Chami completed his residency at Emory in 2003 and he was nominated for a chief residency year at Emory in 2004. His training in cardiology and electrophysiology also was completed at Emory. His areas of clinical interest include: cardiac arrhythmia ablation, cardiac resynchronization therapy and prevention of sudden cardiac death. Dr. El-Chami holds organizational leadership memberships with the American College of Cardiology and the Heart Rhythm Society. He speaks Arabic and French fluently.

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Has Your Heart Ever Skipped a Beat?

August 16th, 2011 By Dr. El-Chami

Arrhythmia Web Chat with Dr. El-ChamiHave you ever experienced a skipped heart beat or a change in the regular beat of your heart? If so, you may have a rhythm disorder called an Arrhythmia. Arrhythmias are common in middle-aged adults. Some arrhythmias are relatively harmless, but others can be fatal if not treated. Nearly 1,000,000 people are hospitalized for an arrhythmia each year, and some arrhythmias, such as Atrial Fibrillation, are extremely common and affect over 2,500,000 million Americans.

Join me on Wednesday, August 24, at 12:30 p.m. for an interactive web chat on the topic of Diagnosing, Managing and Living with Arrhythmias. I will be available to answer questions and discuss various topics about arrhythmias, including symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment, as well as innovative new cardiovascular research on the horizon.

You can register online for the live chat! UPDATE CHAT TRANSCRIPT

Dr. El-Chami

About Mikhael El-Chami, MD

Dr. El-Chami completed his residency at Emory in 2003, and he was nominated for a chief residency year at Emory in 2004. His training in cardiology and electrophysiology also was completed at Emory. His areas of clinical interest include: cardiac arrhythmia ablation, cardiac resynchronization therapy and prevention of sudden cardiac death. Dr. El-Chami holds organizational leadership memberships with the American College of Cardiology and the Heart Rhythm Society. He speaks Arabic and French fluently.

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Running & Your Heart: Navigating the Peachtree Road Race and Other Adventures

June 7th, 2011 By Dr. Sperling

Heart Running ChatHave you been training hard getting ready for the Peachtree Road Race? Is your heart in good health, too? One of the best things you can do for your heart health is to run.  Running is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that provides a wealth of healthy benefits for your overall well–being and heart health. If you are not sure about your heart health, it is important to consult with a physician who can recommend the best method for achieving heart health.

Join me on Wednesday, June 29 at 12:30 p.m. for an interactive online Q&A web chat where we’ll discuss how you can ensure your heart is healthy to handle the rigors of running. I will be there to answer questions in real-time and discuss various heart related running and exercise questions.

If you are interested in learning more about how to maintain a healthy heart for running/exercising, you can register for the live chat now.  Spread the word about our online heart healthy heart chat to your fellow runners, friends and neighbors.

About Dr. Sperling

Dr. Sperling is a cardiologist at the Emory Heart & Vascular Center and Director of Emory’s Center for Heart Disease Prevention. He is also an accomplished runner having completed seven marathons (including New York City and Athens, Greece), and 17 consecutive Peachtree Races. Dr. Sperling’s areas of clinical interest are preventive cardiology, cardiovascular risk assessment, lifestyle and behavioral approaches to heart disease and management of cholesterol disorders.

About Emory Heart & Vascular

Emory Heart & Vascular Center has been consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top heart health centers in the nation. Your cardiovascular health is our primary concern; let us show you the Emory difference.

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Join Me for a Peripheral Artery Disease Online Chat

April 13th, 2011 By Khusrow Niazi, MD

Peripheral Artery Disease Online Doctor ChatPeripheral Artery Disease (PAD), defined as diseases of the blood vessels outside the heart or brain, affects eight to 12 million people in the United States. PAD happens when there is a narrowing of the blood vessels outside of your heart. The cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, and occurs when plaque, a substance made up of fat and cholesterol, builds up on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs. Unfortunately, individuals with PAD are at an increased risk for heart disease, aortic aneurysms and stroke.

Additionally, PAD can be a precursor to diabetes, hypertension and various other medical conditions. If you get treatment early and take preventative steps, PAD can be managed effectively and does not  have to take over your life. Should you receive a diagnosis of PAD, you can often stop or reverse the buildup of plaque in the arteries with dietary changes, exercise and efforts to lower high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. You can take control by leading a heart-healthy lifestyle and most cases of PAD can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.

Join me on Monday, April 25 from 12:30 – 1:15pm for an interactive online Q&A web chat on the topic of PAD. I will be available to answer questions and discuss various topics about PAD including prevention, detection, symptoms, testing, treatment options and innovative new research.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, you may register online for the live chat now. Spread the word about our education session to your friends who may suffer from this potentially debilitating disease.

About Dr. Khusrow Niazi

Dr. Niazi specializes in interventional cardiology, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease and venous disease of the legs. He has been practicing at Emory since 2003. He has been involved in many trials in treating blockages in the carotid arteries and leg arteries with less invasive options. Dr. Niazi is involved in trials focused on the removal of plaque from the leg arteries with less invasive methods

 

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