5 Tips That Help You Get Ready for Angioplasty

An angioplasty is a fairly-routine non-surgical procedure that is used to open blocked arteries. However, if you are planning an angioplasty or stenting procedure, you may be confused or stressing about what to expect. Here are five tips to help you prepare for you next angioplasty.

1. Know What to Expect – During your procedure, you will be given a general anesthetic to help you relax and stave off any anxiety. You will also be given a local anesthetic where the catheter will go in. Next, a sheath will be inserted into an artery in your groin, and catheter will be passed through this sheath and guided through the blood vessels to the heart. The procedure usually takes around two hours.

2. Assemble Your Team – Another thing that will help you manage stress and ensure a complication-free angioplasty is to assemble the best team of health care professionals to manage your care. Taking the time to ask questions to these professionals so that you understand exactly what you can do to make the procedure successful.

3. Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions – Your doctor will tell you to abstain from eating or drinking after midnight the night before the operation. Additionally, if you wear contacts, glasses, or a hearing aid, you will need those during your procedure in order to communicate with your cardiac surgeon during the operation.

4. Be Aware of Medications You’re Taking – Coumadin, diuretics, and insulin are several medications that could cause complications during your angioplasty, so you will want to discuss those with your doctors. Additionally, let your surgeon know if you are allergic to anything, such as latex, iodine, or rubber that could cause complications during the procedure.

For more information on how to best prepare for your next angioplasty, visit the friendly medical professionals at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center now!

4 Symptoms That Always Mean a Trip to the Emergency Room

After a medical emergency, or when you start experiencing certain health symptoms, you may be confused about whether you should contact your doctor, treat your condition at home, or visit the ER. Here are five symptoms that always necessitate a trip to the emergency room.

1. Chest Pain – Any discomfort or pain you feel along the front of your neck and upper abdomen could be a signal of a heart attack. However, not all chest pain symptoms mean heart attack. In any event, it is not worth the risk to chance it. If you experience chest pain, you should go to the ER immediately.

2. Difficulty Breathing – Whether you breathing is difficult, uncomfortable, or you just feel like you cannot get enough air, it may be cause to go the hospital. Some people will get shortness of breath just from mild exercise, however if you are having difficulty breathing for no reason at all, it could be indicative of a more serious problem.

3. Abdominal Pain – Abdominal pain can come in many shapes, sizes, causes, and intensity. While some types of pain will be non-serious, many can be more serious, and thus require advanced medical attention. Your pain may be generalized or local, cramp-like or colicky.

4. Headaches – Pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, and neck. Usually serious headaches are rare, however, some can be indicative of a potentially life-threatening illness. Some headaches will go away with some simple lifestyle changes.

For more symptoms and illnesses that might require you to go to the emergency room, or for advice from a qualified healthcare professional, click here!

5 Heart Attack Symptoms and Triggers That People Usually Miss

If you frequently indulge in your bacon cheeseburger cravings and also tend to live a pretty sedentary lifestyle, then you probably already know that you may be at a risk for a heart attack. However, these obviously bad choices may not be the only thing taking a toll on your heart. Here are five heart attack symptoms and triggers that you may unknowingly be exposing yourself to.

1. Nonstick Chemicals – While non-stick and stain-repellant chemicals can make our lives more convenient, they may not be worth it in terms of your health. There has been a proven connection between these chemicals and heart disease. Instead, replace your nonstick cookware with stainless steel, cast iron, or glass.

2. Climate Change – Regardless of where you fall on the climate change debate, it is undeniable that a warming planet has deleterious effects on your health. Excessive heat causes tiny particulates in the air that can become lodged in your lungs. While you might not be able to do much to stop climate change on your hand, Omega-3 Fish oil supplements can lower your susceptibility to these particles.

3. Antibacterial Soap – You may have heard some of the trends about the use of antibacterial soap and toothpastes, and how germs and bacterias develop immunities to these antibacterials, making them impossible-to-kill and antibiotic-resistant. Avoid this risk by staying away from soaps that contain triclosan, or are advertised as anti-bacterial or anti-microbial.

4. Canned Foods – Whether you know it or not, commercially canned foods can also have negative effects on your health. Foods are canned using a specific chemical called bisphenol A or BPA. This chemical has been tied to breast cancer, anger problems, obesity and infertility in addition to heart disease. So, opt for fresh or frozen when given the chance.

To find out more about any unexpected heart attack symptoms that may be troubling you, or for a comprehensive evaluation, go to GRMedCenter.com now! 

When Your Breathing Issues Mean It’s Time to See a Pulmonary Doctor

Whether you are a long time sufferer of asthma, or if you have only recently noticed shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, having a pulmonary doctor on hand that you can trust can be of critical importance. A pulmonologist is a specialized doctor that treats issues related to the lungs or breathing. Here are a ffew reasons you should see a pulmonary specialist.

1. Any Breathing or Lung Problems

Anytime you have persistent shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or coughing fits, you may need to see a pulmonologist. Typically, you will se a general medicine doctor first who will refer you to a specialist.

2. Asthma-related Issues

If you have asthma, or suspect that you may, a pulmonary physician can diagnose and treat your condition. Since some forms of asthma are caused by allergies, you may also need to see an allergist or immune therapist to treat the allergies, however a pulmonologist is the perfect place to start.

3. Coughing and Vomiting

If you have fits of coughing followed by vomiting, it can be a sign of infection in the lungs, trachea, or brachial tubes. It can also be an early indicator of gastroesophageal reflux disease. An evaluation from your primary care physician is your best first step.

4. If Baby Has Respiratory Issues

Respiratory issues have been known to occur at birth. A pediatric pulmonologist can help diagnose and treat certain conditions that affect infants and toddlers, such as apnea, reflux and pneumonia. Although typically, with very young children, a pulmonologist will be onemember of a team of several doctors providing your baby’s care, such as a pediatrician, neurologist, and feeding specialist.

If you would like to know more about how pulmonary doctors can help you or your family, contact the physicians at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center by clicking here.