Blog Archive

Each year in the United States, more than one million women begin their journeys through menopause. For some, this hormonal transition comes with only some minor bumps in the road, like a few months of hot flashes. However, others are plagued by a wide variety of side effects, from hot flashes to...

More than 37 million people in the United States (about 11.3% of the population) have diabetes, which is a chronic illness that can lead to some very serious, and sometimes life-threatening, health consequences.  If you have diabetes, it’s important to educate yourself about these risks, so you can do all...

You’ve been struggling with erectile dysfunction (ED), and your sex life has suffered as a result. You’re in very good company, as more than half of men in the United States have some experience with ED. This point is the first that we want to make about ED — you’re not alone —...

There are three major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Now, consider that nearly half of Americans (47%) can check that first box. High blood pressure, which is also called hypertension, not only places you at far greater risk for potentially life-threatening heart disease,...

You’re tired of dealing with veins that are unsightly and/or uncomfortable, and you’re anxious to move forward with sclerotherapy. As a frontline treatment for both varicose and spider veins, sclerotherapy has an excellent track record for garnering great results, but you want to know more about what to expect after this...

We know that aging has its challenges, not the least of which is keeping track of the growing list of potential health concerns. If you’re wondering whether age can influence the development of varicose veins, the short answer is yes. To help you better understand the connection between aging and...

As you get older, you begin to become accustomed to changes in your skin as discolorations, wrinkles, scars, and more, build up. Recently, however, you’ve noticed a curious discoloration around your ankles, and your skin is darkening in these areas. Ankle discoloration is a common sign of a vascular issue...

Your lower legs, ankles, and feet are the lowest points on your body, making them more vulnerable to swelling. Leg swelling can occur for a wide variety of reasons, and some are more serious than others, requiring expert care. As cardiovascular experts, the team here at Louisiana Heart & Vascular...

It can be highly frustrating to fall into bed at night, anxious for some good sleep, only to have restless legs keep you awake and uncomfortable. Called restless leg syndrome (RLS), up to 10% of people in the United States experience the same frustration as you.  If you’re struggling to...

You wake in the middle of the night thanks to a cramp in your calf muscles that’s causing considerable pain. Or, perhaps your legs cramp during the day while you’re sitting down. Muscle cramps anywhere in your body are perfectly normal from time to time, but regular leg cramps may...

One of the most common vein issues — varicose veins — affects up to 35% of people in the United States. While many of these veins pose only cosmetic concerns, they may also be indicating a problem with the circulation in your lower legs, namely chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). If you want...

Each time you meet with a new doctor, you’re asked to fill out a questionnaire so the physician can glean important information, such as your medical history and family’s medical history. The fact is that family medical history plays no small role in your health, and the reasons aren’t always...

When you encounter research that concludes that men are twice as likely as women to have a heart attack, it might lead you to think that men are, generally, more at risk for heart disease. There is some truth to this statement, but you should also consider that heart disease is...

Varicose veins are very common. In the United States alone, the vascular issue affects about 35% of people, with women outpacing men by two to one. In many cases, these veins pose only cosmetic concerns, but some can lead to discomfort, skin changes, and more. Dr. Farhad Aduli and the team of vascular experts here...

You’ve been told that you should lose weight, exercise more, and change your diet if you want to improve your heart (and general) health. While these three recommendations are quite correct, they can seem broad and daunting, leaving you to wonder where to begin. In this month’s blog post, Dr. Farhad...

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of arrhythmia, affecting at least 2.7 million people in the United States. More worrisome, this number is expected to grow to more than 12 million by 2030, which makes understanding your risks extremely important as AFib can be life-threatening. To help you determine whether you...

From heartburn to a heart attack, pain in your chest can develop for a wide range of reasons, some far more serious than others. Since your chest houses several critical organs, including your heart, your lungs, and the upper portion of your digestive tract, it can be difficult to discern...

Fatigue, weight gain, sexual dysfunction — these are just a few of the symptoms that both men and women can experience when their reproductive hormone levels are low. While these hormones are tasked with overseeing your reproductive health, they cast a surprisingly large net over your general health and wellness...

If you’re experiencing chest pain, heart palpitations, or other potentially worrisome cardiovascular symptoms, and you want to find out what’s going on, the first stop on the diagnosis trail is usually the stress test. This test is a relatively painless and easy tool for evaluating the function of your heart...

You’ve likely heard that the best ways to improve your vascular health — and overall health — are to eat right, exercise more, and lose weight. While these ideas may seem simple enough, they’re quite vague and, often, anything but easy to execute. To help break these ideas, and others,...

Americans are no strangers to high blood pressure. Nearly half of adults have hypertension and, more concerning still, only one quarter of them have the condition under control. Having untreated high blood pressure places you at far greater risk for serious cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. The good...

You probably carve time out of your busy schedule to see medical specialists for a wide range of issues, from cleaning your teeth to treating your allergies. If you consider that nearly half of the adult population in the United States has some form of cardiovascular disease, regular visits to...

If you consider that nearly half of adults in the United States have cardiovascular disease — which is an umbrella term for conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels — you realize that it’s time to pay very close attention to this area of your health. One of the...

You routinely have your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked, which can be very strong indicators of your risks for heart disease. A newer test, however, is providing us with a much clearer picture of a patient’s arterial health, allowing us to take the appropriate steps to ward off heart...

Your arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Arteries supply essential oxygen to your organs, muscles, and tissues, but a number of common health conditions can limit the way your arteries function. Arterial health problems can trigger heart disease and life-threatening...

Cholesterol is a waxy substance in your blood. It’s an essential element of healthy cells, but if cholesterol levels get too high, it can build up in your arteries. About 93 million American adults have high cholesterol, and it’s a leading risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol forces...

Varicose veins are one of the most common vascular problems in the United States. These bulging, twisted veins appear under the surface of the skin. Varicose veins can be purple, blue, or red in color, and they often appear on the feet and legs. More than one in five American...

Stress tests show how your heart functions during physical activity. A stress test involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike, during which time your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and breathing are monitored. Along with diagnosing heart conditions, a stress test is often performed on patients already receiving...

It’s safe to say that chest pain is never normal, but it’s not always life-threatening either.  When you think of chest pain, the crushing tightness of a heart attack may come to mind. But there are various causes of chest pain, some as harmless as heartburn after a spicy meal. ...