Blog Archive
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the numbers, it’s responsible for about 700,000 deaths every year in the United States. If you have a family history of heart disease, your own...
Vein disease is a common problem for both women and men and like a lot of medical issues, it develops more often the older we get. In fact, as many as 85% of us wind up dealing with varicose veins or spider veins, and millions go on to develop more...
Most of us understand the vital importance of heart health — yet many of us have personal and lifestyle habits that don’t support a healthy heart. In honor of American Heart Month, the team at Phoenix Heart, PLLC dedicates this post to helping you learn about five simple ways you...
EKG tests play an important role in monitoring your heart health. But as effective as they can be in spotting unusual rhythms and other heart-related issues, they provide only a brief snapshot of your heart’s activities. They don’t show how your heart responds during your daily routines. Phoenix Heart, PLLC,...
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects roughly 5% of Americans over age 50, significantly increasing their risks of both heart attack and stroke. PAD develops when deposits of sticky, cholesterol-based plaques build up in your arteries, blocking the flow of blood. PAD mostly affects the arteries in your legs, but it...
Weight issues are extremely common in the United States. In fact, nearly a third of Americans are overweight and roughly two-fifths struggle with obesity, according to data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Obesity is linked to a host of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, high...
As many as 7 million Americans suffer from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a serious vein disease that interferes with circulation. In CVI, tiny valves inside your veins malfunction, allowing blood to “pool up” and flow backward, leading to significant problems with the way your blood flows. While CVI can affect...
Since its establishment in 1981, Phoenix Heart has been a trailblazer in the field of cardiology, consistently delivering exceptional care to patients. The team of highly skilled cardiologists at Phoenix Heart brings a wealth of diverse expertise, training, and specialties. This collective knowledge and commitment to ongoing learning enable them...
Bradycardia is a slower-than-normal heartbeat, typically under 60 beats per minute. While it can happen at any age, it usually occurs in people over age 65. The symptoms of bradycardia can be very subtle, so subtle that the condition often goes undiagnosed until it’s picked up on an electrocardiogram (EKG)....
Lymphedema is a chronic disease that develops when the lymphatic system doesn’t drain properly, allowing excess lymph fluid to build up in your tissues. As fluid accumulates, it leads to severe swelling, along with skin and tissue damage that can cause serious, life-threatening complications. Lymphedema can have genetic causes (primary...
As a parent, you want to do all you can to ensure your child stays healthy into adulthood. Setting the stage for good health in later years means establishing healthy habits as early as possible — and making them fun whenever you can. During the summer, you have lots of...
Millions of Americans suffer from vein disease, including varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and other vascular disorders. Yet despite the frequency of these problems, many people don’t know they have vein disease, or they may simply attribute their symptoms to getting older or other factors....
More than 6 million Americans aged 40 and older have peripheral artery disease (PAD), a relatively common medical problem that can have serious complications. While PAD can affect anyone, certain factors increase your risk of developing the disease. At Phoenix Heart, PLLC, our team helps patients at our practices in...
Everyone has occasional palpitations from time to time, and in most cases, the feeling is fleeting (even if it does make you a little nervous). But if you have atrial fibrillation or Afib, your abnormal heart rhythm is much more serious, increasing the risks of stroke, heart failure, and other...
As many as 5% of women and men have arrhythmia, a heart disorder that interferes with the way the heart normally beats. But while the symptoms of arrhythmia can feel alarming, the condition doesn’t always require treatment. At Phoenix Heart, PLLC, our team uses the most advanced techniques to diagnose,...
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. In fact, according to the CDC, heart disease claims nearly two lives every minute on average. At Phoenix Heart, PLLC, our team helps patients in Glendale, Goodyear, Scottsdale, Anthem, Avondale, and Black Canyon City, Arizona, maintain optimal...
About 94 million American adults have high cholesterol, placing them at risk of life-threatening medical problems, like heart disease. But while most of us know that elevated levels of cholesterol are bad for the heart, many people don’t know how the two are linked. With practice locations in Glendale, Goodyear, Scottsdale, Anthem,...
Most people tend to think of heart disease as affecting men, but it affects women, too — in fact, it’s the leading cause of death for American women. Despite that, only about half of women understand the serious threat heart disease poses, which means they’re missing out on important steps...
You know the old saying: When you’re pregnant, you eat for two. But it’s not just your digestive system that works overtime. Your cardiovascular system has extra demands, too. These extra demands are necessary to provide adequate blood and nutrients for both the mother and the baby, and they support...
Phoenix Heart is expanding its office hours at its Scottsdale location. The new hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday where Dr. Ramy Doss, M.D. and Dr. Shakeel O. Khan, M.D will care for patients. The office will offer cardiac care for conditions like arrhythmia and congestive heart failure, as well as services...
Mitral valve regurgitation is the most common heart valve defect in the world, affecting millions of people. Plus, it becomes more common with age, which means that even if you don’t have it now, you could eventually develop it. As a top-ranked cardiology practice in Glendale, Goodyear, Anthem, and Canyon...
More than 37 million Americans — about 1 in 10 — have diabetes, a chronic medical condition that interferes with the way your body processes glucose, or blood sugar. Glucose is your body’s primary source of energy, so it’s no surprise that it plays a role in many aspects of...
We’re officially midway through the year. How are you doing on that New Year’s resolution to lose weight? If you’re like most Americans … not too well. But before you find yourself overwhelmed by feelings of guilt and failure, take heart: Losing weight isn’t easy for anyone, and it’s not because...
When it comes to vein problems, varicose veins and spider veins are typically the first issues that come to mind. Those issues are certainly common, but they’re not the only vein problems that can happen. Knowing other common vein issues — and the symptoms they can cause — can help...
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States. In fact, every 36 seconds, cardiovascular disease claims 1 more life in the United States. That’s roughly 3600 heart disease-related deaths every hour. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease or if you’ve...
There are literally thousands of FDA-approved drugs and medical devices available in the United States, and more are approved every year. To get that approval, every drug and device is subjected to rigorous testing during a multi-step clinical testing process that relies on people just like you. The testing process...
We’ve all seen it in movies: The classic heart attack victim, clutching their chest and collapsing to the floor. But while chest pain is a common heart attack symptom, it’s not the only one — and many heart attacks happen without significant discomfort. Nearly a million Americans have heart attacks...
Millions of Americans suffer from vein problems, including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, and chronic venous insufficiency. Although everyone knows vein health is important, plenty of people have no idea what causes vein problems or if they’re at risk for vein disease. With locations in Glendale, Goodyear, Anthem, and Canyon...
More than 30 million Americans have heart disease, the most common cause of death for both women and men. In fact, the CDC says that of every four deaths in the United States, one is due to heart disease. Heart disease includes a variety of problems that affect the heart,...
More than 30 million Americans have heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Many types of heart disease can be treated or even prevented. The key is diagnosing heart problems early, so treatment can begin as soon as possible. At Phoenix Heart, PLLC, our team uses...
About three-quarters of American adults are overweight, according to data from the CDC. Of those, more than half meet or exceed the criteria for obesity, and almost 10% are defined as severely obese. Being overweight is nothing to be ashamed of — but it is something you should be concerned...
Ultrasound may be best known for its use during pregnancy to monitor the health of both the mother and the unborn baby. But advanced ultrasound technology has a lot of other uses in many other areas of medicine — including cardiology. At Phoenix Heart, our team of skilled cardiologists uses...
If you’re like most people, you probably know too much cholesterol is “bad” for your health — but do you know why? If not, it’s a good idea to learn how cholesterol levels affect your heart health and your overall health, too. As a leading cardiology practice in Arizona, Phoenix...
A heart attack is a serious — even life-threatening — event, so it’s not surprising that after a heart attack, many people are left wondering how to move forward and live their normal, day-to-day lives. The good news: With just a little planning and care, most people lead long, productive...
If you have a heart ailment, you know how important it is to take your medicine — and to make sure the medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take don’t exacerbate your condition. It’s not uncommon, then, to have some questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and its potential effects on...
Nearly a million Americans suffer from deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, putting them at risk of serious and even life-threatening complications. Yet, because DVT can be difficult to spot early on, many people who have deep vein thrombosis don’t get the treatment they need to prevent those complications. Our team...
Well over 100,000 clinical trials are conducted each year in the United States, and each of those studies contributes to a better understanding of medical conditions and treatments. Of course, clinical trials couldn’t take place if not for the patients who participate. At Phoenix Heart, our research team has been...
By the time you’re halfway through this blog post, someone in the United States will have had a heart attack. According to the CDC, a heart attack happens every 40 seconds on average, affecting more than 800,000 Americans every year. Of course, seeking treatment at the first sign of a...
Nearly everyone knows ultrasound can be used to monitor the growth and development of an unborn baby. But did you know it can help diagnose and treat blood vessel problems, too? For decades, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been used in people with coronary artery disease (CAD) — the most common...
Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day on average, circulating the equivalent of about 2,000 gallons of blood each and every day. To accomplish that, your heart uses a series of valves that open and close in a specific way to keep blood moving in one direction. If a...
More than 30 million Americans — about 1 out of every 8 adults — have been diagnosed with heart disease, the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. While high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are major contributors to those numbers, what many people...
High blood pressure (or hypertension) is one of the most common medical problems in the United States, affecting about half of all American adults, according to the CDC. Yet, they say only a quarter of those diagnosed with hypertension have the condition under control, leaving them at risk for serious...
There’s something about combining the words “nuclear” and “stress” that just doesn’t instill good vibes — at least, not at first glance. But a “nuclear stress test” is actually a very good thing. It can play a vital role in diagnosing and managing many types of cardiovascular disease, including coronary...
A man clutches his chest as he lets out a loud, distressed gasp. Soon, his legs start to give out and he leans on something for support. Everyone around the man realizes the obvious — he’s having a heart attack and needs immediate medical attention. Although some heart attacks do...
Have you noticed bluish veins near the surface of your skin or the skin of a loved one? Although many people have visible veins on their wrist, arms, neck, or head, the sudden appearance of new veins might certainly be surprising or startling. Thankfully, most people who develop varicose veins...
Is there a more classic horror movie trope than the electricity in the old mansion going out at the worst time possible? These movies take a lot of liberties, but the probability that an old house could have electrical issues are actually pretty high. As it turns out, your body...
It’s a simple fact of life that certain tasks and movements become harder as you age. Sometimes even the most mundane tasks become more difficult or painful. For example, you may not be able to turn your head as far or may need more time to get up from the...
Let’s face it. Arizona, and the Phoenix area, in particular, are hot. Desert living has many perks: plentiful sunshine, temperate winters, and, even in the summer, relatively cool mornings. Yet on the flip side, temperatures soar once the sun starts to get high in the sky. In fact, the average...
When it comes to heart attacks, all of the information out there seems centered around preventing a heart attack and what to do if you believe you’re having one. This isn’t without reason — prevention is an integral part of any kind of medicine and the ability to recognize the...
Cardiovascular disease takes more lives of women than all of the cancers combined. Dr. Gomes discusses the early warning signs and symptoms for women with a focus on our military personnel. For more information, you can read this article, from the American Heart Association. Article Here
We all feel our hearts race from time to time. It’s nearly impossible to go through life without experiencing a few situations that make your heart skip a few beats or pump quicker and harder than normal. You may experience such a feeling after a hard workout, on your wedding...
When you think about the warning signs of a heart attack, your mind probably goes to some of the most common issues patients experience: shortness of breath, chest pain, and nausea. Back pain may not even pop up on your radar when you’re worried about your heart health. After all,...
When someone says vascular disease, you probably don’t think of it as the number one cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases, which include vascular disease, represent 31% of all global deaths, or about 17.9 million people every year. Additionally, one-third of deaths caused by...
Keto. Whole30. Atkins. South Beach. Paleo. Mediterranean. There are a lot of diets out there that say they promote a healthy lifestyle. Whether they cut carbs, processed foods, or something else, every diet maintains that it will both improve your physique and your general health. Despite this, many have their...
We use stress echocardiograms, also known as stress echoes, to check up on how well your heart functions under pressure. Under safe and supervised conditions, you exercise to raise your heart rate and get your blood pumping rapidly, giving your care team important insights into your overall cardiac health. At...
If you’ve heard the phrase “Know your numbers,” at your doctor’s office, he’s likely referring to being on top of things like your cholesterol, body mass index, and blood pressure, which all boil down to a combination of digits. These numerical readings influence your overall health and risk for disease. ...
Chest pain, especially severe chest pain, can be frightening. It’s important to know why your chest hurts so you can recognize when you’re experiencing an emergency situation. Our team at Phoenix Heart wants you to learn about the different causes of chest pain, when you should be concerned about the...
As recently as 2016, nearly 40% of American adults were affected by obesity. Three years later, cardiovascular disease (heart disease) was the leading cause of death in America. This may all sound morbid, but understanding the relationship between obesity and your heart could save your life — or the lives...
You need a certain amount of cholesterol for overall health and wellness, but when cholesterol levels get too high, they can negatively impact nearly every system in your body. It’s important to understand how high cholesterol levels affect your heart, especially because in the United States, 95 million adults have...
Recovering from a heart attack requires a lot of work. Physically, your body has to regain strength and return to good health. Mentally, you may be overwhelmed by all the information and instructions you’ve received since the event. Emotionally, you may feel scared about the possibility of another heart attack. ...
Your heart may be the strongest muscle in your body, but it’s more vulnerable than you may realize. One out of four women die every year due to heart disease, and many of them never had any warning signs. To the team at Phoenix Heart, nothing’s more important than the...
Every 34 seconds, someone dies of a heart attack in the United States. Coronary artery disease — when fat and cholesterol plaque build up and narrow your arteries — is one of the primary causes of those heart attacks. It happens when a piece of plaque breaks off and blocks...
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) affects at least 2.2 million people in the United States, and most of them don’t know they have it because the condition can be tricky to diagnose. Men and women don’t usually ask their doctors about A-fib because the symptoms are often so mild that they go...
Angina is one of the signs of a heart attack and should be taken seriously. But what happens when you have angina that lasts for just a few minutes and resolves with rest? Do you still need to see the doctor? Yes. And what exactly is angina? Because angina is...
A cardiac stress test determines how well your cardiovascular system (your heart and blood vessels) works when you exercise and when you’re at rest. At Phoenix Heart, we administer three types of stress tests: Electrocardiogram (EKG) or exercise stress test Stress echocardiogram Nuclear stress test During all three tests, you...
Modifying your lifestyle plays a key role in lowering high blood pressure, which is a serious health concern. Roughly 75 million Americans have high blood pressure, and many more have numbers that are higher than normal but not classified as high blood pressure. Despite the health consequences of having high...