How to Prepare for Your Echocardiogram
An upcoming echocardiogram may have you on edge and feeling anxious. While it’s natural to worry about what the result might reveal about your heart, you don’t need to fret about how to prepare for the procedure. Echocardiograms require minimal to no preparation, depending on the type of echocardiogram. Laura Fernandes, MD, FACC, and the Woodlands Heart and […]
Radiofrequency Ablation: A Varicose Veins Remedy With Minimal Downtime
Have you ever wished your varicose veins could just disappear? Or have you considered seeking treatment but were worried about the downtime? At Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute, we can make them vanish with little to no downtime (depending on the demands of your daily life). How? With safe radiofrequency ablation. We treat your varicose veins in the […]
3 Signs Your Chest Pain Isn’t a Heart Attack (and Why You Should Still Be Evaluated)
Your chest pain may not be a heart attack, but postponing a checkup is gambling with your health, and possibly your life. Chest pain is the most common sign of a heart attack, the primary symptom of heart disease, and a sign of other serious health conditions. For all these reasons, chest pain should never be ignored, and […]
Throbbing Varicose Veins and Leg Pain Is Long-Distance Travel Safe
Throbbing varicose veins and leg pain are warning signs that long-distance travel may be dangerous. At a bare minimum, leg pain makes travel extremely uncomfortable. In the worst scenario, you can develop life-threatening vascular complications. Whether or not it’s safe to travel depends on your health, how long you’re traveling, and if you already have vascular problems […]
Understanding How Uncontrolled Hypertension Affects Your Body
It’s estimated that nearly half of adults with hypertension (high blood pressure) are unaware they have the disease. Of those who know, only one in four have it under control. Uncontrolled hypertension puts all of them at risk of developing life-threatening complications. At Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute, we teach patients about the dangers of hypertension, offer regular screenings, and provide customized […]
4 Reasons to Seek Treatment for Your Bulging Veins
Varicose veins are a common problem affecting one in three adults, but that doesn’t make them any less embarrassing. Unfortunately, people notice the bluish-purple, twisty, bulging veins, making them a distressing cosmetic concern that motivates many to seek treatment. Your appearance is important, but it’s only one of several reasons to eliminate varicose veins. At Woodlands Heart and Vascular […]
How Serious Is Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant threat, not only to your daily health and well-being, but also to your life. How serious is it? CAD, the most common type of heart disease, is responsible for one in four deaths and is the top cause of death in the United States. Despite being the leading cause of death, […]
How to Lower Your Risk for a Heart Attack
Heart attacks take people by surprise, but they seldom happen out of the blue because the heart problems that cause heart attacks develop slowly over many years. The gradual progression of heart disease gives you the chance to prevent a heart attack. At Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute, Dr. Laura Fernandes provides exceptional cardiology care, which includes […]
5 Practical Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure
Did you know that high blood pressure (hypertension) causes clogged, hardened arteries (atherosclerosis), coronary artery disease, heart attacks, kidney disease, and strokes? And that’s not a comprehensive list of the serious health problems related to high blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure is one of the most crucial steps you can take to prevent life-threatening conditions. […]
Who’s at Risk for Myocarditis?
Myocarditis occurs when your heart muscles (myocardium) become inflamed. Your symptoms may appear rapidly or gradually, and they could be mild or severe. Without treatment, myocarditis may cause permanent heart damage. If you need help with myocarditis symptoms, you can depend on receiving compassionate and expert care from Laura Fernandes, MD, FACC, at Woodlands Heart and […]