Tag Archives: dr sawar

01.06.24
by

Need a Great Cardiologist in Tampa, Florida? Spotlight on Dr. Asad Sawar M.D., F.A.C.C, F.S.C.A.I

Dr. Asad Sawar M.D., F.A.C.C, F.S.C.A.I

Dr. Asad Sawar M.D., F.A.C.C, F.S.C.A.IThe Tampa cardiovascular physicians and employees at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates are committed to providing our patients with the best available programs for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of artery and vein diseases.

Our physicians maintain Board Certifications and are Affiliate Associate Professors in the USF College of Medicine, Department of Cardiology Our office labs are certified by ICAEL, ICANL, and ICAVL. Our advanced in-office testing includes a Phillips iE33 which allows us to perform 3D echocardiograms along with strain and speckle tracking. We also perform stress echocardiograms, nuclear stress testing (using a GVI nuclear stress machine which allows the patient the comfort of sitting up during testing), exercise stress testing, micro T wave Alternans, electrocardiograms, Holter monitoring, event monitoring, tilt table testing, 24 hour blood pressure monitoring, and pacemaker/ICD checks.

Dr. Sawar joined Tampa Cardiovascular Associates in 2009 and is currently a managing partner of the practice.

Following a residency in Cardiology at the University of South Florida, Dr. Sawar completed a Fellowship in Interventional Cardiology at Yale University.  He holds 3 Board Certifications in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Diseases, and in Internal Medicine, and is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC).   Dr. Sawar is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University Of South Florida School Of Medicine. He has a keen interest in structured heart disease and is a senior member of TAVR team which also performs MitraClip procedures. Dr. Sawar also performs Peripheral intervention, Vein intervention, Watchman procedure, Pacemaker Implant, Defibrillator Implant and performs complex angioplasty procedures of the heart.

Visit www.TampaCardio.com to learn more or schedule your appointment.

01.01.22
by

Hypertension – A Side Effect of the Covid Pandemic

tampa cardio high blood pressure

tampa cardio high blood pressureThe Pressure is on!

These past couple of years have changed the way we live and the way we relate to one another. Fear has been a prevalent motivating factor. With fear comes anxiety. With anxiety often comes elevated blood pressure.

Shutdowns, masks, vaccines, mandates, all of it is highly stressful. That is on top of the actual problem – COVID. Friends, coworkers, family, getting sick – some severely even to the point of loss.

It is no wonder we are seeing a spike and rise in blood pressure levels on a national level. This is the most stress we, collectively, have seen in our lifetimes socially.

Let’s take a look at the numbers. By the end of 2020 blood pressure levels had risen especially in older adults. The findings were published in the American Heart Association’s journal CIRC­ULATION.

“At the start of the pandemic, most people were not taking care of themselves,” lead study author Dr. Luke Laffin reported.

“Increases in blood pressure were likely related to changes in eating habits, increased alcohol consumption, less physical activity, decreased medication adherence, more emotional stress and poor sleep,” he said.

Even small increases in blood pressure can increase the risk of stroke or another cardiovascular event.

Almost half of U.S. adults have hypertension.

Health data was gathered from 2018 to 2020 for 464,585 participants with an average age of 46. They compared blood pressure levels prior to the pandemic with those that followed.

They found no change in blood pressure levels prior to March 2020. From April to December, when compared to the same time in 2019, average monthly blood pressure increases ranged from 1.1 to 2.5 mmHg higher for systolic measurements and 0.14 to 0.53 mmHg higher for diastolic. 1 in 4 adults in the study were reclassified to a higher blood pressure category by the end of 2020.

It went on to note that women tended to gain weight and men tended to lose it. Even so, weight was not the direct contributing factor to the jump. Stress was.

Advice from Tampa Cardiovascular Associates

It is important to pay attention to your blood pressure and don’t ignore your chronic medical conditions. Get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol. See your doctor regularly to learn how to reduce cardiovascular risk factors. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM.

813-975-2800.

 

10.02.21
by

Tampa Cardio Offers Customized Heart Healthy Nutrition Plans

heart healthy nutritionist tampa cardio

heart healthy nutritionist tampa cardioThe professional Cardiologists at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates of Tampa Bay, Florida are here for you.

Why go to a regular nutritionist when you can have a specialist who fully understands the workings of your heart and cardiovascular system as well as the key nutrition needed to boost your overall wellness along with heart health at the same time?

Tampa Cardiovascular Associates is your one stop shop for heart health and wellness. Come in for a consultation and we can assess your health based on a physical exam, blood work, talking with you about what you are currently experiencing, as well as taking a full health history. We can also work up a diet plan for you that will fit your needs, likes, and lifestyle that can help to solidify, correct, and boost your cardiovascular health.

Eating healthy these days can be tricky. There are so many foods and additives that just are not good for you and worse, may cause your heart harm if eaten in excess. Let our experts steer you in the right direction so you can feel your best no matter what current condition you may be in.

We operate in a state-of-the-art environment, so we are able to give you the best care possible. This is done though diagnostic testing, one on one focused conversations addressing your concerns and issues, and through the formation of a planned-out course of treatment that is engineered toward gradually healing what is wrong with your body through proper nutrition, supplementation, in office procedures, and if necessary surgical correction.

The physicians at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates are a powerhouse of knowledge and experience. Though you will be assigned one doctor, in many instances they do confer and consult with one another, so you are guaranteed an in-house second opinion without even having to leave the building.

If you are ready to take your cardiac health to the next level, you need Tampa Cardio.

WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM

813-975-2800

 

08.02.21
by

Why You Should Never Ignore Varicose Veins

vein specialist tampa tampa cardio

vein specialist tampa tampa cardioNever ignore varicose veins for two reasons:

  1. They are not a cosmetic issue alone.
  2. They will get worse, if not treated, over time.

Varicose veins effect an estimated 40 million people just in the USA. Upwards from 50% of the population over the age of fifty currently have them.

This does not mean that varicose veins are inevitable and that you should simply give up and accept them as a normal part of aging. Varicose veins are caused by venous insufficiency aka vein disease. It is a disease.

By being aware of potential risk factors that might predispose you to such a condition, you can take action to prevent varicose veins from occurring, or at the very least greatly prolong their initial occurrence.

Risk Factors May Encompass Any or All of the Following:

  • Age – Although varicose veins can occur at any age, even in teens and pre-teens, they are much more common in the elderly. Once reaching the age of fifty, a person’s risk for developing varicose veins increases greatly.
  • Weight – Being overweight can lead to the development of varicose veins, especially if an unhealthy diet is present at the same time. Not only does being overweight tend to contribute towards a more sedentary lifestyle, but like with pregnancy, the additional weight creates pressure on the veins of the lower extremities, veins which in turn must work harder against the force of gravity when pumping blood back upwards towards the heart.
  • Activity Level – Staying active and getting frequent exercise is crucial for those who want to prevent varicose veins. An inactive lifestyle can promote the pooling of blood in leg veins and adds pressure to the lower extremities during periods of rest, impairing circulation and preventing important muscle growth from occurring in the calves
  • Sex – While both men and women can have varicose veins, certain factors lead them to be more common in women. Pregnancy and hormonal changes are the culprit for these differences, as both the additional weight of carrying a baby can add pressure to the lower extremities while the presence of additional estrogen in the body leads to an increased risk for blood clots.
  • Genetics – If you have a history of varicose veins in your family, then there is a fairly good chance that you will be afflicted by them as well at some point in your life. In fact, if both of your parents have had varicose veins, then your chance of developing them yourself is considered to be as high as 90%.
  • Trauma to an area – Even in a person who is perfectly healthy and active, physical injury to one or both of the legs can result in varicose veins if the blood vessels beneath the skin are damaged. While these traumas are most likely unpredicted and unpreventable, they can be an indication that varicose veins may be eminent.
  • Profession – Those whose professions require them to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time will be more likely to develop varicose veins. The same can be said for those who are frequent travelers, as sitting in the same position in a car or on a plane for extended periods can make it difficult to adjust posture and take breaks to walk around.

If you are concerned that you may have varicose veins or venous insufficiency and would like to schedule a vein screening at a Tampa vein center, contact the specialists at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates to schedule an appointment today by calling (813) 975-2800. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM

 

06.02.21
by

Heart Disease and HIV Patients

HIV Aids heart disease tampa cardio

HIV Aids heart disease tampa cardioPatients are living longer as HIV treatments progress. They are also living high-quality lives.  Modern medicine has miraculously transformed a tragic terminal illness into a manageable condition that can be lived with and kept in check for years and even decades allowing for a longer fuller life.

The only downfall of this extension is that a connection seems to be forming between HIV patients with longer lives and the development of cardiovascular issues including heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

This partly stems from ramped up easily available testing and earlier treatment options. Because of this, those with HIV are not developing into full-blown AIDS. This lowers the incidences of AIDS-related complications. It does correlate though to the early onset as well as higher relative risks for chronic diseases among HIV patients.

The risk of stroke and heart disease among those HIV positive was partly linked to an antiretroviral therapy used to help suppress infections. It has been noted that those who were on these antiretroviral continually showed a lower risk than their intermittent counterparts.

Researchers believe that the elevated heart disease risk may be directly related to chronic inflammation caused by having an autoimmune issue. Chronic inflammation is linked to the build-up of plaque in the arteries.

No matter if you are HIV positive, Negative, or Don’t know your status, cardiovascular conditioning is at the very center of our health.  If you are HIV positive or have developed the more advanced Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome it is important to check in with your cardiologist on a regular basis as recommended.

There is a current large-scale trial going on right now. It is called REPRIEVE and is being funded by the National Institutes of Health. It examines whether statins can help prevent cardiovascular disease in those living with HIV.

When the results are published, we will pass them on to our readers here at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM. Give us a call at the office to schedule your consultation. 813-975-2800.

 

05.06.21
by

How to Help Regulate Blood Pressure with Dietary Changes

Tampa cardio nutritional cardiology heart diet

Tampa cardio nutritional cardiology heart dietUnwanted side effects are the downside of blood pressure medication.

These potential known side effects are a major reason many patients put off taking blood pressure medications. They ignore their elevated readings and it can lead to trouble.

If you are concerned about your blood pressure but prefer not to take medications, we have some dietary suggestions to try first that may help control pressure levels naturally.

The standard recommendation is referred to as the DASH Diet. DASH stands for Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension. This carefully crafted diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.  It can help to reduce intake of saturated fats as well as cholesterol.

The DASH diet is recommended for short term or even lifelong use; however, this does not mean that followers of this diet have to completely eliminate all their favorite foods.  As long as this is the basis for your way of eating it’s okay to treat yourself once in a while.

Patients with high blood pressure are almost always told to reduce sodium levels. Even a small reduction can have a big impact. It is generally recommended that people consume no more than 2,300 mg per day. For those 50 and older that number is reduced to 1500 mg per day. The same holds true for those with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, ongoing high blood pressure, and anyone who is of African descent.

Another hot topic when it comes to blood pressure reduction is alcohol. There is a balance when it comes to choosing to imbibe. A single serving of wine or other alcoholic beverage has actually been shown to reduce blood pressure. More than one drink, however, is considered potentially harmful. Blood pressure medications should be considered as well. Many medications can be negated by drinking or have side effects.

Changing your diet and lifestyle significantly is never an easy task. Below are some tips on how to make the dietary transition a smooth one:

  1. Track your progress – Get a notebook to use as a food diary. Keeping track of what and when you’re eating can help highlight issues you might not have been aware of.
  2. Ease into it – No one expects you to change your diet overnight and easing yourself into it may be the best option to ensure success.
  3. Shop Smart – Never go to the store hungry or without a list.
  4. Try salt substitutes – Herbs and spices can add wonderful flavor to your food without adding extra sodium.
  5. Bump up the potassium – Potassium can counteract the harmful effects of sodium and is found in supplemental form as well as in certain fruits and vegetables.
  6. Nix the fast food – These foods are loaded with chemicals and salt. They tend to aggravate hypertension.

The doctors at Tampa Cardiology offer blood pressure assistance as well as the advice of an onsite nutritionist. The most important thing to remember is that changing your diet and lifestyle is a gradual process and takes a lot of hard work, but the results of a longer life and healthier body and mind are always worth the effort.

Get started right away and schedule your appointment online at: WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM. We are also reachable by calling the office at 813-975-2800.

03.05.21
by

The Pandemic, Depression, and Heart Disease

Depression, heart disease, pandemi

Depression, heart disease, pandemiHas this past year taken it’s toll on you?
Depression can manifest itself in many ways in different people. But if you don’t feel like yourself, are down all the time and have lost your zest for life in this recent year of our “New Normal” first let us say, you are not alone despite being socially distanced.

Depression is felt in your heart center. The question becomes, can it actually be doing physical damage to the heart itself?

Recent research has shown that heart disease can cause depression and that depression can cause heart disease.

A few statistics to mull over.

  • Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States.
  • 1 in 3 Americans are predicted to die with heart disease as the cause.
  • Depression is the leading cause of disability throughout not just the USA but the world.
  • 1 in 20 adults in the USA experience depression yearly and this past year that number increased greatly.
  • 1 in 3 heart attack survivors experiences major depression each year.
  • People with a history of depression are 4 times more likely to experience a heart attack within 14 years than those who have no history of depression.
  • Heart disease patients with depression are 4 times more likely to die within 6 months than those without depression.

The link between heart disease and depression is complex.

Have you ever heard the phrase “stress kills”? While this statement may seem a little overly dramatic, it does have a basis in medical facts. When a person is stressed out, the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released and the sympathetic nervous system is activated, oftentimes referred to as a person’s “fight or flight” response. When a person is depressed, it often results in a chronically elevated level of these hormones, a situation that can have detrimental effects on the heart over time.

Depression has been known to occur as a result of heart disease. In one recent study, nearly half of all patients examined a week following a major heart disease surgery showed beginning signs of clinical depression. But why is this? While the relationship between heart disease and depression is still under study, one possible answer is that patients who have recently undergone major heart surgery tend to feel slow and sluggish, finding it difficult to get back into their regular routines. If their regular routines have been threatened by heart disease or they must change their lifestyles drastically in order to adjust to new health concerns, they will understandably start to feel a sense of discouragement and hopelessness.

Heart disease patients dealing with depression often don’t receive the correct medical treatment in order to address both issues simultaneously. This can in part be due to the actions of the patient directly, as depression can make it difficult for people to remember to take care of themselves, and patients may forget to take their medications or simply not feel the motivation to do so.

They may also lack the motivation and energy to even simply keep their follow-up appointments. Furthermore, many cardiologists and primary care doctors simply don’t have the experience with or exposure to patients with mental illness the way psychiatrists and psychologists do and may not be able to properly recognize when a patient is experiencing depression. For this reason, heart disease patients with depression often get overlooked for their depression and aren’t effectively treated for it the way a patient seeking treatment for mental illness specifically would.

While there are still a lot of unknowns regarding the relationship between depression and heart disease, both conditions can be effectively treated with proper recognition and monitoring. For compassionate cardiologists who care about the overall health of their patients and not just medical issues addressed by them specifically, contact the Tampa Cardiovascular Associates by calling (813) 975-2800 today. www.tampacardio.com.

Our physicians are always here for you. We are always happy to address any concerns you have related to your heart health or to refer you to a qualified mental health specialist.

02.05.21
by

Happiness Proves to be Good for Your Heart

tampa-cardiovascular-associates

tampa-cardiovascular-associatesStudies reveal that optimistic, happy, glass half full people are more likely to have good heart health as well.

When you have a positive optimistic outlook you feel better physically.

The study looked at two groups of people who had similar risk for heart disease. The results showed the pessimistic group was more likely to experience heart attack or stroke.

Julie K. Boehm, PhD Harvard Researcher was the study lead. She is quoted as saying that “Historically, studies have focused on the negative impact of depression and anxiety. We wanted to look at the flip side to see how psychological well-being – things like happiness, optimism, and having a sense of purpose – might impact risk.”

Happiness spurs positive life decisions

They tend to sleep more regularly, eat better, and exercise. If you are not naturally an upbeat person don’t be hard on yourself. It can be relearned through behavioral therapy and actively watching your thought patterns to help recognize constant negativity, stop it, and replace it with a healthier thought version.

During a collaborative effort on the part of Harvard with Columbia University they based their findings on a 5 point scale. A patient that was able to monitor their behavior and thoughts and was able to raise their number even just 1 point experienced what translated to a 22% risk reduction. That is impressive and could be life changing for many.

While of course more research is needed, and feelings are not exact quantifiable numbers the evidence is mounting and becoming clear that there is indeed a link between heart health and happiness factor so live your life the best you can and try to look on the bright side of things and find humor.

If you are in the Tampa Bay, Florida area and looking for a great cardiologist we invite you to check out Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. WWW.TAMPACARDIO.COM 813-975-2800.

07.01.20
by

Could it Be Hypertension?

cardiology hypertension tampa florida tampa cardio

cardiology hypertension tampa florida tampa cardioEssential hypertension is the blanket term used when no root cause is found for high blood pressure.  As many as 95% of all high blood pressure falls into this category.

While essential hypertension is still a mystery to medical science, it has been associated with identifiable risk factors. High blood pressure seems to have a genetic component.  Hypertension is more prevalent in men than women. Race also seems to play a roll as well as the effected age group. In the USA, African Americans have been found to be twice as likely as Caucasians to develop HPB. That gap starts to narrow around 45. Past age 65, black women have the biggest incidence of reported high blood pressure.

Knowing the signs of high blood pressure can help you to catch it in its early stages before damage can occur:

While you can have high blood pressure and not know it often (which is why it is called the silent killer) it does sometimes present with symptoms you can identify if you know what you are looking for.

Nosebleeds

Headaches

Dizziness

Feeling shaky

It is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly. If your readings are high consistently it is time to see your doctor. High is considered anything over 120/80.

Diet is a great regulator and holds a strong influence on high blood pressure. Salt is the number one factor in foods. Those with high blood pressure tend to be sensitive to salt and even small amounts can raise the pressure level. Other linked conditions include being overweight, taking hormonal birth control pills, eating fatty foods with too much salt, smoking, excessive drinking, having diabetes, not getting enough movement or exercise in your daily life, and lacking in the minerals magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

While the source may not be able to be identified there are steps you can take to help get your blood pressure in check.

  1. Check your BP regularly, if it stays high for a period of more than a few weeks consult your physician as leaving hypertension unchecked can lead to damage of the cardiovascular system endangering your health and well-being.
  2. Reduce salt intake as well as fatty food.
  3. Get regular cardiovascular exercise. Movement, stretching, even walking daily help.
  4. Drinking enough water to stay well hydrated. Keep alcohol to a minimum if you must drink at all.
  5. Get tested for any mineral deficiencies and supplement as needed.
  6. If all of these suggestions are followed and still your blood pressure continues to be too high you may need pharmaceutical medication for high blood pressure in order to reduce it.

If you suspect you may be dealing with high blood pressure please give the office of Tampa Cardiovascular Associates in Tampa Bay, Florida a call today at 813-975-2800 to schedule your consultation.

12.21.19
by

The Effect of Sugar Addiction on Your Heart

Tampa Cardio sugar-and-your-heart-health

Tampa Cardio sugar-and-your-heart-healthSugar hits the pleasure center of the brain in the same way that hard drugs do. This makes refined sugar extremely addictive and very hazardous to your health. Moderation is key and elimination even better.

Until recent years not all that much study had been done on sugar. It was a well-known household dietary staple. The harmful effects of a diet high in sugar are becoming more publicly known, many are still unaware.

The fact is, your sugar intake could very well be harming your health now and into the future. Let’s take a look at how sugar affects the body.

  1. Sugar can compound depression. Though little known or recognized sugar has an effect on mental and cognitive function. It may offer one explanation as to why you feel drained in a short time after eating something sugary. It has also been scientifically linked to anxiety and memory lapses later in life.
  2. Sugar begets heart disease. Heart disease is still the top cause of death worldwide. Recent studies show that a high sugar diet could be a major contributing factor. Elevated levels of fructose can raise your insulin and blood glucose, as well as lead to obesity.
  3. Sugar causes dental issues. The obvious statement of the bunch,  sugar sticks to your teeth and feeds the bacteria. Over time, teeth can decay as a result causing cavities.
  4. Sugar adds weight. If you eat a lot of sugar, you are going to have a higher risk of being overweight.
  5. Sugar is bad for your liver. Excessive sugar consumption will have a similar effect on the liver as if you were an alcoholic. This is because sugar, which turns into fat, becomes lodged in the liver. That can develop into non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
  6. Cancer cells feed on sugar. Numerous studies have shown that there is a connection between sugar consumption and cancer. Sugar consumption creates elevated insulin levels so the body can’t properly regulate the abnormal growth and multiplication of unwanted cells potentially leading to cancer or feeding already existing cancerous cells.
  7. Sugar can spur type II diabetes. Excess sugar can result in insulin resistance, which in turn can result in a highly toxic excess of glucose in the blood. This can cause a number of conditions to develop, perhaps the worst of which is type II diabetes.
  8. Sugar is addictive. Sugar attaches to the same pleasure centers in the brain that result from doing street drugs and opiates. It is equally as addictive. It may be hard for people to practice moderation when it comes to junk food, and when trying to quit, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.

For further guidance that you can trust, make an appointment with the onsite nutritionist available at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates by calling (813) 975-2800.

Our physicians dedicated to keeping your heart health at its best. We’ll do anything we can to help you improve your everyday quality of life through important lifestyle choices. Visit www.tampacardio.com to learn more about our practice.