May 11th, 2008
For all the Starbucks fans out there, I have some difficult news to share with you.
Brace yourself… Here it is:
“Coffee is not recommended right after any form of cardiac surgery, including heart valve surgery.”
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May 11th, 2008
I just received a very interesting question from Rhonda about mitral regurgitation and heart disease.
Rhonda writes, “Hi Adam! I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation about 8 years ago. My cardiologist monitors my heart each year using echocardiograms and ekg’s. Recently, my cardiologist told me that I may require heart valve surgery within the next 24 months. Here’s my question to you, “Is mitral regurgitation and mitral prolapse considered heart disease?”
Rhonda continues, “I guess I’ve never thought of mitral regurgitation as heart disease. So when asked about my ‘health history’ at doctor visits I usually tell my physicians / nurses that I don’t have heart disease. Am I in denial?”
Here is my response to Rhonda’s question:
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May 11th, 2008
Good news everybody!
In an earlier blog about children with heart murmurs, I shared with you that my nephew was recently diagnosed (by his primary physician) as having a murmur. Well, last week Buddy saw a cardiologist, Dr. Keith Weiner, at the Children’s Hospital Of Orange County in Southern California.
After an EKG and an examination by Dr. Weiner, it appears that Buddy only has a teenie-tiny murmur that is not critical and does not require surgery. Needless to say, my sister Monica and our entire family is incredibly relieved.
Thanks to all of you for your interest and concern over Buddy! (FYI, his real name is Zachary.) 
Keep on tickin,
May 11th, 2008
I was just reading an interesting book about heart health.
Did you know the heart pumps 1,800 gallons of blood through 75,000 miles of blood vessels… Each day!!!
Here’s an interesting diagram which shows the movement of blood through out the body:
Absolutely amazing what our hearts can do!!!
Keep on tickin!
May 1st, 2008
One set of recurring questions I receive from patients and caregivers relate to the costs of heart valve surgery and bypass operations. The questions typically go something like, “How much does a heart surgery cost?” or “How much does open heart surgery cost in the USA versus India?” or “How much will my insurance cover - including all the hospital costs, surgeon fees and anesthesia fees?”
This morning, I received an interesting email Geoff (pictured below with his fiancee). In preparing for his mitral valve surgery, Jeff researched these topics and learned some interesting information. That said, I thought you might like to read the note Geoff sent me.
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