#430: Heart Disease

Dr. Tedd Mitchell, President and CEO of Cooper Clinic, and Todd Whitthorne discuss heart disease. Dr. Mitchell explains the differences in chronic obstructive disease versus chronic plaque rupture, and how a treadmill stress test is great at helping to diagnosis chronic obstructive disease. Another great tool is the multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan. Dr. Mitchell explains how the MCDT scan is less invasive than cardiac catheterization when physicians are trying to determine whether coronary artery disease exists. New cholesterol blood tests include LDL particle size. Dr. Mitchell explains why the larger LDL particles are safer than small LDL particles, and how LDL particle size can impact cholesterol treatment plans. Dr. Mitchell and Todd also talk about the need to have an overall view of heart health. Good blood work, imaging techniques, stress testing, genetics, and heredity are pieces to the puzzle in evaluating a patient.