HEART AND VASCULAR HEALTH ARTICLES
BY HEART AND VASCULAR CONSULTANTS-DR. DELAIR GARDI
OUR ARTICLE ON "CLICK ON DETROIT"
Patient says WATCHMAN procedure has given her ‘peace of mind’ with stroke prevention
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Ruth Rabideaux, who will turn 77 in May, said she has four stents in her heart, high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation.
For three years, she has been taking Eliquis, a blood-thinner medication to help with blood clots and stroke prevention, but felt there was a better way to treat her ailments.
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Rabideaux decided to get a WATCHMAN Device implanted inside her heart for two main reasons. One was to help with stroke prevention. The other was so she could get off the medication and reduce the risk of bleeding.
Through research, Rabideaux read up on what the WATCHMAN procedure was, and eventually got in touch with Dr. Delair Gardi of Heart & Vascular Consultants.
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A WATCHMAN procedure is where a device is permanently placed in the opening of the left atrial appendage to prevent blood clots from exiting and entering the bloodstream.
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The device doesn’t have to be replaced and can’t be seen outside of the body.
The procedure takes roughly 30 minutes and is where the device is guided through the upper leg and into the heart.
“There’s 200,000 people that have this procedure and just my peace of mind to not worry about having a stroke,” Rabideaux said.
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Rabideaux had the procedure performed by Gardi on Jan. 24 and is recovering well. She is looking forward to getting off of medication for good as a result 45 days after the surgery.
“That was my motivation, to get off of Eliquis,” she said.
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Visit this website for more information on the WATCHMAN procedure and whether it is a good option for you.
“These are for people who suffer from atrial fibrillation and have a problem with continuing to take blood thinners,” Gardi said. “It’s a same-day procedure through the groin, in and out.”
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MORE ARTICLES
BY DR. DELAIR GARDI M.D.
ARTICLE POSTED ON "CLICK ON DETROIT"
Signs you should visit a heart and vascular consultant
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The start of February also means it’s the start of American Heart Month, so now might be as good of a time as any to make sure your heart is functioning like it should.
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But how do you know if there are any issues?
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Dr. Delair Gardi of Heart and Vascular Consultants, a five-member team which has three locations throughout the Metro Detroit area and has been in existence since 2007, said the following signs could indicate whether people are having heart issues, and thus should see a consultant:
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Shortness of breath. People who all of a sudden have trouble breathing start experiencing more fatigue could have a heart issue.
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Pain in the chest or lower extremities. Gardi said this can include pain in the jaw, arms or legs, which can result in heart problems. “For Peripheral Vascular Disease, if you walk and your legs wrap you, you have cramps or tightness and you have to stop for a few minutes for the pain to go before you can continue, this is Peripheral Vascular Disease where the arteries of your legs need to be checked.”
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Irregular thumping in the chest. This could cause people to feel dizzy or with the feeling they are going to pass out. It could be a sign of arrhythmia, a problem with the rate or rhythm of a heartbeat.
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Flu-like symptoms. If battling the flu and fatigue associated with it, Gardi said it could be a problem with the heart.
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“These are things to look out for,” Gardi said.
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Gardi said treatment options are also available for those who have suffered strokes.
“If you have a stroke or mini-stroke where people change how they talk, lose their ability to talk, lose function or have vision change, we can also treat for you,” he said.
DR. DELAIR GARDI's ARTICLE ABOUT
VENOUS ABLATION
ARTICLE POSTED ON "CLICK ON DETROIT"
How venous ablation can help with pain caused by varicose veins
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Many people might not know about venous insufficiency/varicrose veins, but it’s something millions around the United States suffer from, which affects their lifestyle on a daily basis.
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In the United States, 25 million people suffer from varicose veins, according to Dr. Delair Gardi of Heart and Vascular Consultants, a five-member team which has three locations throughout the Metro Detroit area and has been in existence since 2007.
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Varicose veins are twisted, incompetent veins that can cause pain for the entire body, especially the lower extremities. The best way to treat them is through venous ablation in order to make sure veins are functioning properly.
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Signs and symptoms of varicose veins
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Dr. Gardi said the following can lead to varicose veins, which he said are more common in women and older people:
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Leg pain, aching or cramping
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Burning or itching of the skin
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Leg or ankle swelling
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Heavy feeling in the legs
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Skin discoloration
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Open wounds or sores
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Restless leg syndrome where legs move all the time
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Below are common causes of varicose veins, according to Gardi:
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Pregnancy
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Genetics
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A Job that requires standing on your feet a lot
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Obesity
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What are the best treatment options?
There are several different ways to treat venous insufficiency, starting with conservative management to help reduce pain and get veins functioning how they should be, according to Dr. Gardi.
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Conservative treatment
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Pressure or compression stockings
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Weight loss
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Leg elevation
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Reduction in salt intake
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Water pills
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More advanced treatments
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These can include the following:
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Radiofrequency or laser venous ablation. This is where thermal energy is delivered and helps to heat up walls inside of incompetent veins. Dr. Gardi said this is a fairly quick procedure where an IV is inserted below the knee and it can take roughly 20 minutes. “Some patients come in and do it during their lunch break,” Dr. Gardi said.
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Sclerotherapy. This involves injecting a chemical solution into the varicose or spider vein. It’s used more for cosmetic therapy or treatment.
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The above treatments are generally safe and effective, according to Dr. Gardi.
“The complications of ablation are very low-risk,” he said.
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