Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US and worldwide - but early detection and treatment can change your life. Manhattan Cardiology screens for cardiovascular and heart disease. In both men and women heart disease symptoms may include chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and unexplained fainting.

Your risk factors:

• Men age 45+
• Post-menopausal women
• High levels of stress, which can damage arteries and aggravate overeating, smoking, and other conditions
• Family history of coronary artery disease
• Smokers have 2-4 times more risk than non-smokers
• Poor diet with excessive fat, salt and cholesterol
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure can harden the arteries and narrow the blood vessels.
• High levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), "bad" cholesterol, can lead to plaques and atherosclerosis.
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Excessive alcohol (more than 1-2 drinks a day)
• Drug abuse
• Lack of exercise
• Poor dental hygiene can infect heart valves and lead to heart failure

What are the benefits of screening?
Once you have a baseline of your heart and cardiovascular system, you can identify areas for improvement and possibly prevent complications. Lifestyle changes may be sufficient; medicine or procedures may be necessary to improve your quality of life.

 

Most heart murmurs are "innocent" -- the sound of blood flowing in and near the heart. However, if the heart murmur is caused by blood flowing through a defective or overworked blood valve, treatment may be required. Manhattan Cardiology screenings can determine if the heart murmur is benign or caused by undiagnosed valve disease. If untreated, certain conditions like aortic stenosis can lead to heart failure.

Do you have:

• Family history of heart murmurs
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• High blood pressure
• Poor dental hygiene
• History of congenital heart defects
• Overactive thyroid

What screening tests do I need?
Depending on your symptoms and family history, tests may include an Echocardiogram.

Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats and symptoms can include dizziness, shortness of breath and fainting. Some arrhythmias are life-threatening and may be caused -- or made worse -- by a damaged heart. The Manhattan Cardiology screening may include an electrocardiogram (ECG), a Holter Monitor, an Echocardiogram, or a Stress Echocardiogram.

Do you have:

• Advanced age, which can cause electrical impulses to degenerate
• Genetic heart abnormality
• Coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, or previous heart surgery
• Thyroid problems
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Diabetes and episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Sleep apnea where breathing is interrupted during sleep
• Electrolyte imbalance such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium
• Chronic drinking or alcohol abuse
• Caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine

What are the benefits of screening? Screening for arrhythmia can:

• Lead to treatment to improve your heart's function
• Prevent blood clots that lead to stroke
• Prevent heart failure

 

Hypercholesterolemia is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. This may be related to diet, genetic factors and the presence of other diseases such as diabetes and an underactive thyroid. Hypercholesterolemia can be treated with dietary changes, exercise and medication.