 | Heart and Circulatory 8059 Heart and Circulatory Conditions I was wondering what exactly "fluid around the heart" means. What causes it and what can be done to treat it? I was wondering what exactly "fluid around the heart" means. What causes it and what can be done to treat it? htmASKTHEDOCfluidheartpercardialeffusion The medical term for fluid in the space surrounding the heart is pericardial effusion. Our major organs, including the heart, have linings that usually have no significant fluid within them. In a number of conditions, fluid may accumulate around the heart. 1478872 InteliHealth 2013-03-07 t Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. 2016-03-07
| | Ask The Expert |  | | | | | | | | | Archive By Date: Heart and Circulatory Conditions | Page 1 of 5 | | Answered questions from the past 2 years: | | I am a 66-year-old woman. I walk three miles five or six times a week. And I swim for half an hour every day. My HDL cholesterol level is usually over 100, but it was up to 127 in my most recent cholesterol test. My total cholesterol was 215 and my LDL was 68. Should I be celebrating or worried about an unusually high HDL? | I had a heart valve replacement 12 years ago. I need to take warfarin to avoid blood clots on the valve. I have been reading about the newer blood thinners that dont require regular blood tests. I am tired of so many blood tests. Can I ask my doctor about making a switch? | I was wondering what exactly "fluid around the heart" means. What causes it and what can be done to treat it? | I drink one to two glasses of wine most evenings. I always thought this was good for your health. But I recently read that even small amounts of alcohol increase your risk of developing cancer. Its confusing. Any advice? | My 81-year-old husband has been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm thats 5.2 centimeters wide. His doctors say theres a magic number at which surgery is done, but Im questioning why they cant do something sooner. My husband is generally in good health, so he shouldnt be a poor candidate for surgery. | I have high blood pressure. But my blood pressure varies a lot during the day, especially the top number. Which blood pressure reading should I use: the lowest, the highest or the average? | My daughter has schizophrenia. The psychiatrist at her mental health center prescribed an antipsychotic drug. I know some of these drugs increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. What sort of clinical monitoring do you advise? | I have high blood pressure. My newest blood pressure drug is atenolol. My blood pressure is now great. I feel fine. But I can no longer get my pulse up when I work out on my treadmill or bike. Does that mean I wont benefit from exercise anymore? | My doctor prescribed simvastatin to lower my cholesterol. She said to take it at night. But I keep forgetting. I take two other pills in the morning and never forget those. Can I take the simvastatin in the morning? | I am a 60-year-old man. Lately I have been experiencing pain that starts on the lower jaw and goes up the side of my face towards the temple and then to the head. The pain is severe and lasts for about five minutes. It comes on at any time of the day. Why is this happening? |
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