Preventing Atrial Fibrillation Complications

Dr. Hitesh Patel received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Based in Maryland, Dr. Hitesh Patel is affiliated with Cardiology Associates of Frederick, where he treats disorders such as atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is a type of abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia. During an AFib episode, the upper chambers of the heart quiver, making them ineffective in transporting blood to the lower chamber, thus compromising blood circulation. AFib is a potentially dangerous condition, as it can lead to heart failure, blood clots, and other cardiac complications.

How can someone prevent the complications associated with AFib? According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a heart-healthy lifestyle is the best option in mitigating harmful complications. This lifestyle encompasses a wide range of choices, which include maintaining regular physical activity, modifying the diet to reduce the amount of salt, cholesterol, and fats, avoiding substances such as caffeine and alcohol, and quitting smoking. For more information on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of AFib, visit Heart. org.

American Heart Association Lowers Threshold For Stage 1 Hypertension

Dr. Hitesh Patel, a respected Maryland physician, provides cardiovascular treatment and diagnosis at Cardiology Associates of Frederick. Among Dr. Hitesh Patel’s areas of extensive knowledge is congestive heart failure, which along with stroke and heart attack, is linked to aspects of health such as exercise, nutrition, and hypertension.

With the concern of hypertension at the forefront, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recently set in place guidelines that recommend earlier lifestyle changes for patients who have a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm Hg. This adjustment supplants the previous threshold of 140/90 mm Hg and boosts the percentage of the US adult population classified as having high blood pressure from 32 percent to 46 percent.

Under the new guidelines, those with Stage 1 hypertension, which involves an 80 to 89 mm Hg systolic reading or an 80 to 89 mm Hg diastolic reading, will not be prescribed medications unless they have a pre-existing cardiac disease or are at high risk for future cardiac events. Rather, the recommended physician-patient conversation will center on a healthier diet with low salt intake and regular exercise.

Exercise and Cardiac Health in Patients with Heart Failure

In his practice at Cardiology Associates of Frederick in Maryland, Dr. Hitesh Patel treats patients of all ages. Dr. Hitesh Patel has diverse experience in the treatment of congestive heart failure and advocates consistently for heart health.

In December of 2017, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published the results of a study that investigated the effects of exercise training on peak oxygen uptake in older adults with heart failure. Researchers assessed data from cases involving heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) as well as those involving heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), as prior research had not yet made such a comparison.

Study participants were all aged 65 or older, and all had chronic AF with a stable regimen of medication. Subjects participated in a 16-week course of thrice-weekly supervised exercise regimens, which included 15- to 20-minute periods within an hour-long session.

Data from this activity revealed a 9.2 percent improvement in peak oxygen uptake across both groups, though improvement was greater in patients with HFpEF. Review of absolute peak oxygen uptake revealed similar patterns.

The typical exercise intolerance in patients with HF and specifically HFpEF serves as further support that exercise training improves measurable results in these patients. This is particularly notable considering the consistent failure of pharmacological treatments in generating mortality benefits. Therefore, researchers have suggested the findings prompt a review of cardiac rehabilitation coverage for HFpEF patients so that they can more easily access exercise training.

Understanding Congestive Heart Failure

Dr. Hitesh Patel works in the Frederick, Maryland, offices of Cardiology Associates of Frederick. A graduate of the University of Maryland’s medical school, he is a board-certified cardiologist and a fellow of the American College of Cardiology. At Cardiology Associates, Dr. Hitesh Patel and his colleagues offer a wide range of diagnostic and treatment options for adult heart patients.

Congestive heart failure, typically a chronic condition, occurs when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to maintain the other organs of the body. Fluids may pool in various parts of the body, with the result often being swelling of the lower extremities. If excess fluids enter the lungs this can cause a condition known as pulmonary edema, which can contribute to shortness of breath.

Older adults are particularly prone to this heart condition. Other factors, such as obesity, excessive drug or alcohol use, and smoking are among the lifestyle components that can contribute to or worsen the problem. Diabetes may also be a factor.

People who believe they might be experiencing congestive heart failure should seek medical attention immediately.

A Plant-Based Diet May Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Since 2008, Dr. Hitesh Patel has served as a cardiologist at Cardiology Associates of Frederick in Maryland. Dr. Hitesh Patel, a committed vegetarian, encourages his patients to eat a plant-based diet to improve their heart health.

According to a study recently presented before the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions, a plant-based diet reduced the risk of heart disease in study participants by 42 percent. The study compared individuals who ate primarily plant-based foods with those whose eating habits fell into one of four other categories. These included convenience (based on red meats, pastas, and fast foods), Southern (including eggs, processed meats, fried foods, and sugary beverages), alcohol/salads (green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, salad dressing, wine, and butter), and sweets (desserts, breads, sweet breakfast cereals, chocolate, and candy).

Researchers found that participants whose eating patterns fell primarily into the plant-based category had the best chance of a reduced risk of incident heart failure. Such heart failure events included those that took place during six years of post-recruitment follow-up and were documented by health care providers. Researchers note that this study has not yet identified any kind of causal process, though the plant-based eaters stood out as the only participants who showed associations with reduced heart failure risk.

The Steps Involved in a Stress Test on the Treadmill

Dr. Hitesh Patel is a Frederick, Maryland, cardiovascular practitioner who provides services such as ultrasound and Holter monitoring. Dr. Hitesh Patel also performs stress tests, which are known as exercise electrocardiograms and are undertaken using treadmills. 

Exercise is ideal for testing heart function, as it brings to the fore any arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms, that may exist and helps identify whether coronary artery disease is present. The stress test begins with the patient walking at a slow pace. As the test progresses, the incline and speed of the treadmill are gradually increased, which provides a number of guideposts as to how the heart responds to varying levels of exercise and induced stress. It is critical that the patient let the physician know when symptoms such as extreme fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, or abnormal shortness of breath occur. 

Once the test is finished, the patient lies down and the resting heart rate, blood pressure, and ECG are recorded for 3-5 minutes. The final step in the test is a thorough review of the data by a cardiologist, followed by a report sent to the doctor or doctors directly involved in the patient's care.

The Links between Cholesterol, Diet, and Heart Health

Dr. Hitesh Patel is a respected Maryland physician who practices with Cardiology Associates of Frederick and offers a full range of evaluative procedures, from ultrasound to Holter monitoring. Emphasizing preventive medicine, Dr. Hitesh Patel encourages patients to take care of their health to the fullest extent possible, as cardiovascular wellness is dependent on daily life choices. 

One major issue is high blood cholesterol, with elevated levels of the fatty substance found in blood associated with increased risk of heart attack. There are two distinct forms of cholesterol: high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). The latter lipoproteins are known as “bad” cholesterol, as they can create deposits of plaque on the heart artery walls. Known as “good” cholesterol, HDL actually works to remove this plaque from the arteries. 

Foods high in fiber, such as prunes, oatmeal, apples, lentils, and beans, are abundant in HDL and thus positive for heart health. They can be paired with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which work to reduce blood pressure, such as halibut, salmon, and herring. Walnuts and almonds are also associated with overall heart health.