Blog Archive

High cholesterol poses a serious health risk, yet more than 93 million adults in the United States — that’s slightly more than half — have potentially dangerous levels of total cholesterol. The higher your cholesterol, the higher the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. At Metropolitan Cardiovascular Consultants,...

Dyspnea or labored breathing refers to shortness of breath. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, can occur intermittently or persistently, and may result from a heart, vascular, or lung problem.  If an issue with your lungs has been ruled out, your provider may refer you to a cardiovascular physician...

More than 100 million adults in the United States have high blood pressure, which is characterized as a persistent blood pressure reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher. Adding to the problem is that many people who have hypertension are unaware of it.  Taking steps to lower blood pressure and keep...

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that makes you feel like the room is spinning. It can strike seemingly out of nowhere — in the middle of a workout, or while sitting and watching television. The sudden, intense spinning sensation can be alarming, and while it’s not life-threatening, recurrent...

Heart palpitations may feel as if your heart is skipping a beat or beating too hard and fast. You should always seek medical attention if this happens to you. While palpitations are typically harmless, they could be a warning sign of heart trouble.  The team at Metropolitan Cardiovascular Associates in...

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke, but cholesterol on its own isn’t the enemy. In fact, cholesterol is essential to your health. It enables your body to produce steroid hormones, digestive fluids (bile), and vitamin D. Regularly monitoring your cholesterol is part of taking...

Most people who survive a first heart attack go on to lead a full life, but life after a heart attack often means making changes. These can include new medications to manage and adjustments to your lifestyle.  Not surprisingly, making post-heart attack lifestyle changes typically pose a significant challenge. It...

While vertigo is often considered an inner ear problem, it’s important to know that heart problems commonly cause dizziness. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor if you’re having ongoing issues with lightheadedness.  Computerized assessment of postural stability (CAPS) is a type of balance test that provides valuable information about your...

Caffeine is an incredibly popular stimulant. More than 85% of the United States population consumes at least one caffeinated beverage each day, and 96% of that consumption comes from coffee, tea, and soft drinks. If you enjoy caffeinated beverages but have noticed heart palpitations, you may wonder whether your daily...

Shortness of breath can have various causes, and some are quite serious. From asthma and exercise to anxiety and high altitudes, changes in breathing are typically a harmless way for your body to adapt to an increased demand for oxygen.  In some cases, however, changes in breathing are a sign...

When most people hear the words “heart attack,” they think of classic symptoms such as crushing chest pain and shortness of breath. It’s important to know, however, that heart attack symptoms can seem unrelated or have more subtle signs. In fact, women are more likely to experience subtle heart attack...

Feeling dizzy after exercise can have a number of causes. It’s possible that you may have overexerted yourself. In some cases, it’s a cause for concern. It can indicate a problem with your cardiovascular system.  A comprehensive evaluation is the only way to get to the bottom of things. If...

Because heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, it should be everyone’s concern. A number of factors heighten your risk for developing heart problems, including high blood pressure, which puts you at significant risk of heart attack and stroke. While in most cases the cause...

It’s important to make sense of your cholesterol numbers. Cholesterol is an essential substance; your body needs it to build healthy cells and make certain hormones and vitamin D. Too much cholesterol, however, harms your heart health. When excess cholesterol circulates in your bloodstream, it accumulates as plaque, leaving less...

If you experience unexplained pain in your legs, especially during physical activity, but the pain lets up when you rest, you could have peripheral artery disease (PAD).  This progressive condition affects an estimated 8-12 million adults in America, and if it’s left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including...

Don’t take your heart for granted. Your heart pumps approximately 2,000 gallons of blood throughout your body each day, and during your lifetime, it will beat over 2.5 billion times. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States. Every year heart attacks affect more...

Title: When Shortness of Breath Signals Heart ProblemsMany different heart problems can lead to shortness of breath. It may happen suddenly or gradually over time. It may also occur only during physical activity or in stressful situations. You should never ignore unexplained breathlessness, as it may be due to a...

Crushing chest pain is a classic heart attack symptom, but did you know that women may experience heart attacks differently? Not only do women have unique risk factors for heart attacks, but they are also more likely to present with atypical symptoms when a heart attack strikes. Learn more about...

COVID-19 is a growing global pandemic that has affected more than 1.6 million people in the United States alone. It causes mild flu-like symptoms including cough, chills, and fever in most people who contract the virus. Roughly 20% of people develop a more serious illness, according to research data from...

Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to a specific stage of heart failure characterized by a buildup of fluid around the heart that prevents it from keeping up with the workload. CHF is a serious condition that requires medical management because, without treatment, it can be life-threatening. With treatment, however, you...

Although heart palpitations are often harmless, they can feel frightening, and in some cases, they’re a sign of an underlying heart condition. Feeling the occasional fluttering of your heart usually isn’t a cause for concern, and it may feel as if your heart skips a beat or has a noticeable...

If you’re concerned about your cholesterol levels, there's a good reason. Heart disease kills more Americans each year (roughly 650,000) than any other health condition, and high cholesterol is a major risk factor.  Here at Metropolitan Cardiovascular Consultants, Dr. Ayim Djamson and our team encourage patients to learn about their...