Your Trusted Cardiologist In NYC

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The Top 10 Things You Need To Know About Your Heart

You can’t do much without a healthy heart. Yet many folks still don’t know much about this vital organ or how to take good care of it. Below are some important facts that everyone should know about their heart.

Top Ten Things to Know About Your Heartbest-heart-doctor-nyc

  1. It is a muscle. The heart is the one muscle that is most active throughout your life. It needs care in the form of exercise and good nutrition.
  2. It can break. You can have a heart attack as a result of extreme physical exhaustion, depression, or stress. Loss of loved ones can increase the risk of heart attacks, especially among adults.
  3. Cancer. The likelihood of getting heart cancer is extremely low because the heart cells stop dividing early in life.
  4. The heart is at the center of the chest, behind the sternum. The left side is slightly larger than the right, and because the aorta is also on that side, the great pressure it produces leads to the illusion that it is located on the left side.
  5. The heart’s pumping motion is triggered by electric signals. The heart’s electrical system is composed of the sinoatrial (SA) node, the atrioventricular (AV) node and the His-Purkinje system.
  6. The heart is composed of 4 chambers: the upper right and left atria and the lower right and left ventricles. It also has four valves: the aortic, tricuspid, pulmonary, and mitral valves.
  7. The heart rate increases with increased exercise, tension, fear, and ingestion of stimulants and drugs. Women also have a higher heart rate, 78 beats per minute to men’s 70/72. Babies’ hearts, while in the womb, beat at twice the rate of an adults, about 150 beats per minute
  8. The heart never stops beating; it starts at around 3 weeks after conception and stops when we die.
  9. The heart also needs nutrition and about five percent of the body’s blood supplies the heart.
  10. Electric shock can cause the heart to stop beating; drugs like cocaine can disrupt the electrical activity of the heart, causing the arteries to spasm and thus lead to heart attacks and strokes in otherwise healthy people.

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us on 888.474.9351.

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NYC Cardiologist and Cardiovascular Clinics

Exercise is an essential component when it comes to cardiac rehab. The problem is that a lot of patients don’t know what kind of physical activity is safe after a heart attack.

The best advice we can give is to talk to a cardiologist. NYC heart clinics have entire cardiac care teams devoted to your heart health, with the right guidance, you can lead a life that is both active and heart-smart.

The Basic Guidelinesnyc-best-heart-doctor

Ease into it. Listen to your cardiologist. NYC patients need to know the basics before advancing. Here’s a review, presented by WebMD:

  • Medication changes. New medications can greatly affect your response to exercise; your doctor can tell you if a certain exercise routine is safe for you.
  • Heavy lifting. Make sure that lifting or pushing heavy objects and chores such as raking, shoveling, mowing, or scrubbing are off limits. Even chores around the house can be tiring for some people; make sure you only do what you’re able to do without getting tired.
  • Safe exercises. Get the doctor’s approval before you lift weights, use a weight machine, jog, or swim.

General Workout Tips for Heart Disease Patients:

  • Be sure any exercise is balanced with rest.
  • Avoid isometric exercises such as push-ups and sit-ups. Isometric exercises involve straining muscles against other muscles or an immovable object.
  • Don’t exercise outdoors when it is too cold, hot, or humid. High humidity may cause you to tire quickly; extreme temperatures can interfere with circulation, make breathing difficult, and cause chest pain. Better choices are indoor activities such as mall walking.
  • Make sure you stay hydrated. It is important to drink water even before you feel thirsty, especially on hot days.
  • Extremely hot and cold showers or sauna baths should be avoided after exercise. These extreme temperatures increase the workload on your heart.
  • Steer clear of exercise in hilly areas. If you must walk in steep areas, slow down when going uphill to avoid working too hard. Always monitor your heart rate closely.
  • If your exercise program has been interrupted for a few days (for example, due to illness, vacation, or bad weather), ease back into your routine. You should start with a reduced level of activity and gradually increase it until you’re back where you started.

Top NYC Cardiologist

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.

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Who is The Best Cardiologist in NYC

Our knowledge of heart health is always growing. Recently, the medical community began re-examining how we diagnose and treat heart disease. Now, it is no longer recommended that everyone – no matter their risk level – see a cardiologist. NYC clinics want to take a long hard look at risk factors first.

The question a lot of patients are left with is: What if you know you are already at elevated risk for heart disease because of your family history? Well, it’s time to make that appointment you’ve been putting off – the appointment with a preventive cardiologist.

Confusion; the Enemy of Heart Healthbest-heart-doctor-nyc

Nearly 800,000 people die of heart-related complications every year. Most of us know that heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. What you may not know is 4 out of 5 deaths are preventable.

Your diet not only has a good chance at preventing heart disease, but making dietary changes can reverse ill effects and noticeably lower your risk of heart trouble, even if it’s hereditary. Diet is where a good preventive cardiologist starts.

Unfortunately, proper nutrition is where a lot of patients get confused. There’s a new weight loss fad diet born every minute. Many of these “weight busting” meal plans conflict with each other. How do you know if you’re making heart healthy choices? Bring in an expert authority on the subject.

What Heart Health Really Looks Like

There’s one prevailing authority in cardiology. NYC doctors and doctors around the country turn to this resource for answers. The American Heart Association (AHA) sets the standard for premier cardiac care, this includes dietary rules.

According to WebMD, here are the basics of an AHA approved diet:

  • Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fiber.
  • Eat fish at least twice a week.
  • Limit how much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol you eat. Only 30% of your daily calories should come from fat, with very little of that from saturated fats.
  • Select fat-free, 1% fat, and low-fat dairy products.
  • Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.
  • Limit your salt intake.

Combine these simple rules with reasonable portion control, and you’re well on your way to taking preventative action.

Best Cardiologist in NYC

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.

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NYC’s Most Trusted Heart Doctor – Over 20 Years Experience

The human heart is one of the few organs in the body that we cannot live without. Heart complications are so serious, we tend to instantly sympathize with anyone who is suffering from one.

If you suspect that you may have a certain heart complication, you will naturally want to see a cardiologist, and an excellent one at that. There are all kinds of cardiologists out there, each different from the other in a number of ways.

What to Look For In Your CardiologistCardiologist-NYU

Every heart doctor is different from the last. The challenge is finding one that you can trust. Here are a few things to look for when in need of a great cardiologist.

  • Credibility. It goes without saying that the first thing you notice is what people think about any cardiologist’s reputation. You need to look for the most trusted heart doctor in his/her field
  • Quality service. This goes beyond the normal round of tests. A good cardiologist goes out of their way to smooth things out for each patient, in terms of scheduling appointments, insurance coverage, or arranging hospital or off-site treatment; they are polite, courteous, and kind.
  • Accreditation. A heart doctor is trusted with the lives of people because he is highly qualified. Impressive certification is one indicator that you are in the hands of a professional who knows his stuff.
  • Experience. This is probably the most crucial factor, for experience is what refines professionals. This principle applies to all other fields, but holds great water with cardiologists. You will trust a heart doctor with about 20 years of experience compared to a new resident from a great medical school. The reason is simple – Those who are experienced are more likely to be able to treat you effectively.

NYC’s Most Trusted Heart Doctor

If you are searching for a cardiologist, consider Dr. Mark Seldon; Board certified, with 35 years of practice in New York. You can relax in his care.

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at 888.474.9351.

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How Much Will a Cardiologist Office Visit in NYC Cost

Patients with heart and blood vessel disorders will need to see a cardiologist. NYC is considered a premier locale for addressing cardiac and circulatory issues. The geographical location of your heart specialist is one thing to take into consideration when estimating cost, but it is not the only economic factor.

Cardiologist Office Visit Cost in NYC

How many factors are there?heart-checkups-nyc

Generally, there are four cost-related aspects to consider:

1. The experience level of your specialist

2. Cost of living in your area

3. Your insurance coverage

4. The type of heart condition you have

Frankly, the more experience your doctor has, the higher the cost of seeing that cardiologist. NYC has some of the best heart doctors available, so the overall cost will be higher.

On average, a patient will spend between $195 and $510 per appointment without insurance coverage. This fee includes:

  • A consult
  • A diagnosis
  • Suggested treatment

Keep in mind; you will be seen several times a year to treat and manage your heart condition, so when possible, insurance coverage is essential. Cost also varies depending on how serious your condition is.

What do the more serious conditions run?

The answer really depends on how quickly these conditions are found and how serious they turn out to be.

Additional tests are often needed to narrow down a less obvious cause of heart disease. These tests can cost between $74 and $500 a piece. Some conditions can only be treated by a specifically trained heart surgeon or cardiologist. NYC heart centers are frequently on the list of exclusive treatment centers available to select patients with rare heart conditions.

If you find yourself in this patient group, your bills per visit will start at about $300 and top the scale at well over $500. Of course, heart health is more than just a numbers game.

Most patients do secure insurance coverage, which lowers their treatment cost considerably, if they choose an in-network provider. Patients without insurance can set up financing directly through the clinic or apply for options like a Healthcare Credit Account.

Whatever your financial circumstances may be, don’t let them stop you from seeking life-saving medical treatments. There are ways around these roadblocks, ways to make staying healthy both feasible and effective. Get informed and get treated.

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.

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How To Find The Best Cardiologist For Heart Testing – Insurance Accepted

What is the simplest way to treat heart disease? From the patient’s standpoint, it involves finding the best cardiologist who specializes in monitoring and managing their condition. Unfortunately, for many cardiac patients, insurance providers see things a little differently.

Rolling the Dice on Coveragenyc-heart-doctor

As a patient, you begin to understand risk from the moment you are diagnosed with heart disease. There are risks to your health, risks to your functionality; even the risk of choosing the wrong specialist. This is why so many patients focus on finding the best cardiologist available. This inclination isn’t wrong, but it may not be supported by your insurance provider.

When it comes to insurance coverage, there is always a gamble to be made. Providers have to assess the risk of insuring people based on their potential for illness. Statistically, heart disease ranks as the single greatest health cost in America today. Meaning; that heart problems are considered a high risk and an expensive proposition to insurers.

They understand there’s more to this coverage than selecting the best cardiologist for each patient. Realistically, it comes down to paying for the ongoing long-term care of each patient. A single appointment with the best cardiologist in the city costs up to $500, not to mention tests that add anything from $74 to $500 each. How is this affordable? In a word – compliance.

What You Do makes a Difference

Providers base their coverage determinations on a patient’s:

  • treatment history
  • time insured
  • the type of coverage they selected

Out of these three factors, your treatment history makes the biggest difference.

For example, a patient who had a heart attack 10 years ago, sought and complied with regular treatment, and has had no trouble since, will end up getting a cheaper policy than an at-risk, non-compliant patient. Why? The first patient proved that they were worth the risk, as the second patient only proved to be high-risk.

What’s your best option if you’ve just been diagnosed with a serious form of heart disease? Either sign up for high-risk coverage, remain compliant with treatment, and watch the premium reduce over time, or sign up for a Group Health Plan.

Employers and Trade Unions are required to offer Group Health Plans without any conditional distinctions.

Best Cardiologist for Heart Testing

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.

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NYC Heart Doctor v NYC Heart Surgeon

The difference between a heart doctor and a heart surgeon is pretty straightforward. At the same time, it’s not a distinction that patients pay a lot of attention to until they need to. It’s similar to the difference between management and intervention.

Where to Turn When Management isn’t Enoughnyc-best-heart-doctor

Heart disease has cumulative subtle symptoms as well as severe acute ones when the situation becomes critical. A heart doctor deals with long-term ongoing symptoms, while a heart surgeon addresses emergent situations and conditions that effect the functionality of your heart.

Both of these specialists can be part of a comprehensive cardiac care team. A heart doctor may be brought in before or after a cardiac event has occurred. They are able to perform some minimally invasive procedures and diagnostic testing. If the treatment needs go beyond that, a heart surgeon is called in.

Just like heart doctors are divided into different categories and specialties, heart surgeons work on different areas and conditions related to cardiac function. It’s important to diagnostically narrow down the cause so that you are referred to the right surgeon.

The Value of Collaboration

Diagnostics aren’t the only thing that take teamwork. The teamwork between a doctor and a surgeon continues from the diagnosis to treatment to rehabilitation and ongoing care.

Surgeons are well-trained to deal with:

  • Unblocking arteries
  • Electrical malfunctions
  • Murmurs and other structural problems

After the immediate danger is dealt with, patients will be referred to a cardiologist.

Generally, patients begin to feel better and believe that they are out of the woods, but the truth is that this period of time is where adhering to the advise of a cardiologist can save your life. Many patients who have had persistent heart trouble are in danger of having a relapse within six months.

There is more to fixing heart problems than surgery. The goal should be to improve your heart function and support your ongoing heart health. Things like nutrition, exercise, and monitoring your numbers can be a great predictor of your ongoing condition management.

Each of these doctors may perform a different list of heart-related duties, but they also play essential roles in ensuring heart health, from the basic to the complex; providing a complete picture of the heart.

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.

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5 Reasons To Eat Healthy and Exercise: A Cardiologist Explains

As we learn more about heart health, we also learn more about the overall benefits of adjusting your lifestyle. What starts out as a health-conscious choice can have far-reaching effects. To find out just how far these effects reach, we’ll look at five reasons people practice heart healthy habits.

5 Reasons Heart Health Mattersnyc-heart-doctor

You may remember from a previous article that people worldwide are suffering from health problems related to being overweight and under-nourished at the same time. That said, it makes sense that the first benefit of a heart-centered diet is:

1. Weight Control-this may seem obvious, but a healthy diet and daily exercise is the best way to control your weight and naturally protect your heart. These tasks don’t have to be labor-intensive. Start with changing some of your daily choices, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator and eating up to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Try increasing your nutrition while decreasing your calorie intake.

2. Boost your mood-it’s a well-known fact that heart surgery can negatively affect your mood. Many patients struggle with depression and avoid physical activity out of fear or disinclination to participate in it.

Truthfully, physical activity can:

  • Make you happier
  • Help you relax
  • Decrease stress
  • Improve concentration

There’s a lot more than heart health to be gained through staying active.

3. Prevents disease-no, we aren’t just talking about cardiovascular conditions here. According to the Mayo Clinic, maintaining healthy habits combats diseases like:

  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Certain types of cancer
  • Arthritis

Are you starting to get the picture?

4. Puts a stop to sugar-fueled energy crashes-put the right dietary fuel in, and you can stop having afternoon energy slumps. Staying properly nourished allows your body to maintain a constant level or energy throughout the day.

5. Improves cardiovascular endurance-focusing on your heart health not only strengthens your heart muscle, it also helps the efficiency of your circulatory system as a whole. It increases your blood’s ability to carry oxygen, improves your lung function, and helps maintain your cardiac rhythm.

Living your life from your heart out can help you maintain your health and get more out of life in general. This is a worthy goal with long-term benefits; benefits worth gaining.

Top Doctor For Heart Health

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.

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3 Tips For Improving Your Overall Heart Health

Heart health is a popular topic of conversation these days. Its popularity is a good thing and a bad thing. The good side of the coin is that people are talking about heart disease and its impact on cardiovascular health more openly. The bad news is that this disease remains the number one killer of men and women in the United States. The truth is with a few simple lifestyle changes, you can help change the tide and impact of this statistic.

A Change in Perception Changes Realityheart-checkups-nyc

Many patients who either develop heart disease or suffer from boarder line heart conditions are under the impression that restoring their heart health is a lengthy and difficult process. While the selected treatment protocol may vary by patient, here are three basic steps anyone can take to improve the health of their heart:

Step #1: Kick bad habits. This goes beyond making those heart-friendly dietary changes. There are two habits that contribute to hypertension in particular, they are smoking and drinking. The nicotine from smoking will constrict your blood vessels over time, making it difficult for blood to pass through the heart. This increases the pressure and strain that is put on the cardiac muscle, which eventually damages and enlarges the heart.

Similar damage is caused by excessive drinking. Having three or more alcoholic drinks per day also raises blood pressure and can damage your heart muscle. You can get a blood pressure monitor and track your numbers at home. Results higher than 140/90 require the attention of a specialist.

Step #2: Embrace aerobic activity. No, this does not have to be a high-intensity, fat burning work out session; it doesn’t even need to involve a gym membership. All you need to do is commit to 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week. You will lower your cholesterol and improve your circulation relatively quickly. Yes, walking and yoga both qualify as low-impact aerobic activities.

Step #3: Watch out for hidden salt. Sodium regulates fluids within your body. Your body only needs 500 mg of sodium daily, more than that small amount, and you will start to retain fluid. Water retention puts stress on the heart and effects circulation. Go low-sodium whenever possible.

Top Doctor for Improving Your Overall Heart Health

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.

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What Causes Obesity? NYC’s Top Cardiologist Weighs In

It doesn’t take a top cardiologist to tell you that our population, when all told, is overweight or obese. It does, however, take a top cardiologist to tell you what that fact means in terms of your ongoing cardiac health. Let’s start look at some statistics.

The True Picture Of Healthnyc-heart-specialist

According to the World Heart Federation, an estimated 400 million adults are obese and another billion are overweight. This worldwide picture does not get any brighter when we look at the younger generation. An estimated 17.6 million children under the age of five are overweight. What is the reason for this shift in worldwide health? Ask yourself about the changes we’ve seen in the latter half of this century.

Over the last five years, a lot has been written about the benefits of the Paleo (caveman) Diet. The basic principle of that diet is as follows: If the cavemen ate it, you can too. It sounds over-simplified, but to be honest, there is something to be said for its basis. Our lifestyle has certainly changed.

Generally, human beings used to have a more natural, plant-based diet. There was also a lot of physical activity involved in obtaining the necessary elements of that diet:

  • fresh fruits and vegetables
  • nuts and seeds
  • lean protein

Today, our diet is:

  • high sugar/fat
  • energy-dense
  • animal-based

Realistically, this – coupled with an increased level of inactivity – spells trouble for both your waistline and your heart.

Heart Disease Risk Factors – Breaking It Down Into Individual Ratios

As a top cardiologist can attest, it’s important to know how your weight affects your heart function. For instance, being overweight increases your risk for:

  • hypertension
  • diabetes
  • atherosclerosis
  • cardiovascular disease

Doctors use a calculation based on your height and weight, called Body Mass Index (BMI), to help determine your risk of heart disease.

By no means is this a perfect predictor, but as your BMI increases, so does your risk of heart disease and stroke. A BMI greater than 21 affects your heart health. If it’s 25, you are overweight; at 30, you are considered obese. Of course, there are visible risk indicators, too.

If you carry extra weight around your middle, that intra-abdominal fat:

  • slows down your metabolism
  • interferes with insulin production
  • raises blood pressure

Malfunctions affecting heart health.

Top Cardiologist in NYC for Obesity

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.

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