Health Tips

Did You Know that Unhealthy Veins Can Lead to Unhealthy Legs?

Summertime means shorts or dresses and reminds us that varicose and spider veins are unappealing.

When Should I See A Cardiologist?

A healthy heart is vital for long-term health. Keep these risk factors in mind when considering the best time to see a cardiologist at Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A.

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Walking Your Way To a Healthy Heart

The American Heart Association recommends that adults get 70 minutes of vigorous activity or 2.5 hours of moderate exercise every week. Keeping physically fit reduces the risks of many serious diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. It also improves cholesterol, blood pressure, bone strength, energy, stamina, and weight. Getting in shape is as easy as walking.

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Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT)

Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) is one of the best treatments for varicose veins, enlarged and/or damaged veins, offered at Carolina Heart and Leg, PA. Laser energy, which is a concentrated beam of light, is administered to the targeted tissue.

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Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Damaged leg veins that do not allow blood to flow back to the heart is called Chronic Venous Insufficiency. When the valves in the veins do not work properly, blood flows backward and collects in the legs; causing pain, swelling, and cramps.

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Blood Clots

Blood clots are a natural phenomenon in a healthy body called coagulation. Platelets and plasma in the blood stream interact to form a clot over an injury to a blood vessel, stopping bleeding. Once the damage to the vessel is healed, the body will safely dissolve the blood clot.

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The Number One Killer of Women – Part 2

With heart disease being the leading killer of women, it’s necessary to know and manage your risk factors for a better chance of leading a heart-healthy life.

What are some of the psychological and social factors that may contribute to the risk for CHD in women?

Psychosocial risk factors like stress, lack of sleep, depression, anxiety and lack of social support contribute to the risk of developing CHD in women.

Does CHD kill more women than breast cancer does?

Yes. Though breast cancer is the most feared disease among women, statistics show that CHD kills five times more women than breast cancer.

Are African-American women at an even greater risk for CHD than white women?

African-Americans have more heart attack risk factors than white women. The risk factors include obesity, family history, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Is there any other facet about CHD in women that should be addressed?

Finding out the health of your heart should be a priority in your life. Early diagnosis through regular tests and being aware of the warning signs are critical to helping reduce the incidence of CHD.

We encourage you to find time to talk to any of our physicians at Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A. about your cardiovascular health.

Dr. Saini and his team of heart specialists can diagnose and treat all conditions of the heart and vascular system. Carolina Heart And Leg Center, P.A. offers the latest cardiology services which include cardiac diagnostic testing, cutting-edge technology for arrhythmia, and non-surgical approaches to vascular disease. We are dedicated to serving our patients in a caring and supportive atmosphere with expert knowledge, patient education, and the highest standard of care. Contact us today at (910) 491- 1760 and put your heart health in good hands.

The Number One Killer of Women – Part 1

Heart disease is ranked as the leading cause of death in women. Many women, however, will often not recognize the warning signs of Coronary heart disease (CHD) until their health and lives are in extreme danger.

Here are some FAQs to help you stay informed and in better control.

Why is CHD in women under-detected and under-diagnosed?

Research indicates that a majority of women do not recognize the signs of a heart attack, therefore, there is a delay in seeking treatment. Women are more likely than men to have silent symptoms of heart disease, which make it challenging to know when there’s an issue.

Which CHD risk factors are more significant in women than in men?

Generally, women have the same risk factors for heart disease as men do. However, some risk factors are inherent to women including obesity, hypertension, oral contraceptive pills, estrogen deficiencies, polycystic ovary syndrome, postmenopausal state, and breast cancer treatment.

Why is CHD sometimes a more serious condition in women than in men?

The reasons for this will vary but most are linked to lack of recognition of symptoms or signs of heart disease and subsequent delay in getting the much-needed treatment.

How is CHD treatment and prevention different between women and men?

Consistent studies reveal the disparities in receiving care in men and women when they seek medical help for cardiac problems. When it comes to preventative care, women are more likely to be assigned to a lower risk category and are less likely to be advised about their risk factors than men.

Women are also less likely to be diagnosed correctly or treated with life-saving treatments like heparin, ACE inhibitors and emergent cardiac catheterization as compared to men.

Prevention, early and accurate diagnosis and treatment are quite essential in reducing coronary heart disease. Work with the physicians at Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A. to manage your risk factors and fight the disease.

At Carolina Heart And Leg Center, P.A., we are known for our dedication to providing the highest quality cardiovascular care. We’re also committed to helping you take better care of yourself through preventive care and education about healthy lifestyle choices.

High Heels and Varicose Veins

Most women love how high heels make their legs look. They feel taller and more beautiful when wearing them, but the truth is that those gorgeous stilettos can lead to serious health issues. Behind the stylish appeal lies a risk to your vein health especially if you wear them regularly or are already dealing with varicose veins.

When we walk in high heels, the contraction of calf muscles is inhibited meaning that less blood is going upward leading to the pooling of venous blood in the leg. Therefore, it is crucial for women to stay aware of the need to choose their heels correctly, wear them right, and engage in proper varicose vein prevention.

The regular wear of high heels tends to induce venous hypertension by preventing the muscles in the foot and calf from relaxing and contracting naturally and may be a contributing factor in venous disease symptoms.

For many, varicose veins and spider veins is mainly a cosmetic concern of unsightly spider veins, twisted varicose veins, discoloration, and blood clots. Other people experience pain, swelling, fatigue, leg cramps, heaviness, and achiness over or around the enlarged veins and in severe cases bleeding and ulcers can occur.

More than 25 million Americans suffer from this condition, and many of these cases go underdiagnosed or undertreated. Here at Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A., we can help diagnose and treat your varicose veins and give you back your confidence to show off your legs and provide a treatment plan to keep you healthy. Don’t trade your health for fashion’s sake.

If left untreated, varicose or spider veins may worsen over time and become a more serious condition. Contact Carolina Heart And Leg Center, P.A. today at (910) 491-1760 and schedule a consultation to see how we can restore the health and beauty of your legs.

Heart Attack Signs in Women

Most people associate heart attack symptoms with a heavy chest pain that radiates down one arm. Although this could be the most common heart attack symptom, the first signs will often not resemble what many individuals associate with heart attacks at all, particularly among women.

Some women experience silent symptoms that they could mistake for something else. The ability to recognize the warning signs and act quickly can be life-saving.

Here are some silent heart attack symptoms that women should most definitely look out for.

Chest discomfort – It most likely manifests as a sense of pressure or tightness in the center of your chest.
Shortness of breath – Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Cold sweats – Unusual sweating that seems more like stress-related perspiration other than usual sweating from exercising or staying in a heated environment for some time.
Lightheadedness – Feeling like you’re going to faint or actual fainting especially if you’re working out are warning signs of a heart attack.
Nausea – Nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms in women.
Upper Body/back/jaw pain – The pain can be gradual or sudden and radiates to the back, shoulders, arms, neck or jaw.
Fatigue – Other women who experience heart attacks feel extremely fatigued after doing simple tasks like making the bed or walking around the house.

By scheduling regular checkups and learning to identify the symptoms of a heart attack, you can significantly reduce the risk of severe heart damage. Speak to one of the cardiologists at Carolina Heart and Leg Center, P.A. about your risk factors and what steps you can take to lower the risk of heart disease.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing early warning signs of a possible heart condition, Carolina Heart And Leg Center, P.A. is here to help. We are dedicated to serving our patients in a caring and supportive atmosphere with expert knowledge, patient education, and the highest standard of care. Contact us today at (910) 491- 1760 and put your health in good hands