"Some patients may be able to reduce antiplatelet medication after the stent "healed" and has been covered by your own cells."
- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiologist

Read More: www.texasheartmedical.org/our-specialties/coronary-artery-disease-cad/

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"Most healthy patients don't need aspirin therapy. We use it in patients at high risk of bad cardiovascular events, such as those with prior heart attacks, strokes, high levels of calcium in the arteries, among others (it's a long list)."
- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Card...

"Not all blockages can be fixed with stents, and surgery might be the better approach. The answer is clear in some patients, but there is a large gray zone. In general (simplification), surgery tends to last longer than stents."
- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiologist

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"Most aortic valve procedures in the US are now done minimally invasively through the groin, but not all patients are candidates for this. We make these decisions after discussing each individual case in a multidisciplinary meeting."
- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiolog...

"A heart catheterization is a serious procedure, but fairly routine for cardiologists. The risk of a serious complication, while not zero, is low. The chances of something going wrong depends on the complexity of the operation, and the sickness of the patient."
- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General ...

"Women indeed can manifest heart disease through unusual symptoms. However, chest pain and stomach cramping can occur for reasons unrelated to the heart. Fortunately, your age portends low risk - but if the chest pain does not resolve, keep talking to your doctor."
- Dr. Alexander Postalian, Gene...

"There are many types of nuclear stress tests. A CT-PET, which produces some of the higher quality images, can usually only be done with injection of drugs, and not with exercise."
- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General and Interventional Cardiologist

Read More: www.texasheartmedical.org/our-special...

"If you have had a heart attack, it would be wise to reduce your risk of another one through the use of medication. We now know that most patients taking statins do not have major side effects. Nonetheless, there are many alternatives available in the market."
- Dr. Alexander Postalian, General a...

Dr. Alexander Postalian discusses the quest for immortality, exploring common questions about longevity and the role of hormonal supplements. He acknowledges the growing interest in longevity medicine but emphasizes that currently, proven methods for significantly extending lifespan remain elusiv...

Measuring all cholesterol types is essential for accurate risk assessment. A holistic approach is recommended, urging doctors to consider every cholesterol type in their evaluations.

Read more about our specialties: https://www.texasheartmedical.org/our-specialties
 
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Despite a strong desire to resume testosterone therapy, research suggests a potential link between testosterone supplementation and clot formation. Caution is essential when considering hormone therapy after experiencing a life-threatening clot.

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Dr. Postalian states that guidelines stress the importance of using testosterone only when needed, aiming for normal levels, and conducting regular lab checks.
 
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"Some research indicates testosterone may lead to arterial plaque, yet other studies, such as the Traverse trial, show no increased risk for high-risk patients. The key takeaway is to use testosterone cautiously, with low doses and regular monitoring."

-Dr. Alexander Postalian

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Dr. Postalian shares that "You do not share your entire genetic material with your sibling unless you are identical twins."

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The discussion highlights the potential risks of hormone replacement therapy, including cardiovascular issues and cancer, while also mentioning that some studies downplay these risks.

Read more about our specialties: https://www.texasheartmedical.org/our-specialties
 
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Women naturally produce less testosterone than men, so the rising trend of testosterone use to address low libido and fatigue should be exercised with caution.

Read more about women's heart health here: https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/womens-heart-health/

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