Also known as transthoracic (across the chest) echo, it is a painless test used to observe the heart chambers and valves. Not an x-ray, it uses ultrasound high frequency waves to get a picture of all four heart chambers and valves. The sound waves bounce back and produce images and sounds that can be used by the cardiologist to detect damage and disease.

The newest type of metal struts used to expand blockages in heart arteries look like small springs found in pens. They help relieve chest pain or stop heart attacks. The older, bare metal stents eventually reblocked with scar tissue 15% of the time. With the new coated stents releasing very small doses of a chemical similar to chemotherapy, scar tissue is prevented and the risk of reblocking is now down to less than 2% in patients followed for over three years.

Observational studies have shown lower risk of cardiovascular events in patients who regularly drink red wine. Since these early observations, several studies have suggested that it may be just the alcohol that confers these benefits, although there may be some benefit in the grape as well. Males who have two drinks a day and women who have one drink (beer - 12 ounces, wine - 5 ounces, liquor - 1 ounce) had a heart disease risk reduction of 30 to 50%. Still, the American Heart Association does not recommend alcohol as a means of risk reduction.

Atrial fibrillation (A fib) is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders, affecting more than two million people in the United States. In A fib, the heart beats rapidly and irregularly. Although not directly life threatening, A fib can cause palpitations, other rhythm problems, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness and stroke. The chance of a stroke is increased five-fold in patients with A fib. The likelihood of developing A fib increases with age but it can occur in young patients as well. Treatment of A fib includes medications to convert A fib back to the normal rhythm, medications to slow the heart rate during A fib, and medications that thin the blood. Often A fib can be difficult to control. New procedures are now available which can cure A fib in selected patients.

A pacemaker is a small device that is implanted in the upper chest region for prevention of an abnormally slow heart beat. A slow heart beat develops when the hearts natural pacemaker slows down with age or when the hearts natural electrical conducting fibers wear out. Patients requiring pacemaker implantation often present with symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue and/or fainting associated with a slow pulse. Not uncommonly, patients who require pacemakers are on necessary medications that result in excessive heart rate slowing. A pacemaker system generally consists of a pulse generator (which houses the pacemaker battery and circuitry) and two pacemaker leads. The leads are inserted through the veins into the top and bottom chambers of the heart. A typical pacemaker implantation is done under local anesthesia with light sedation and can be completed in 60-90 minutes. Patients with pacemakers can enjoy active normal lifestyles with minimal restrictions. Most electronic devices in the environment (including microwave ovens) have no effect on the pacemaker.