Podiatry: What Your Feet Can Tell You about Your Health

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Our bodies present many signs and symptoms to show us that we are sick, such as a runny nose, fever, and body aches. However, your feet can tell us a lot about our health, including:

Dry, flaking, itchy, or peeling skin may be signs of a thyroid condition or a fungal infection.
Foot numbness may be a sign of circulation problems such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), peripheral neuropathy associated with type 2 diabetes, other neurological problems, arthritis, or long-standing alcoholism.
A foot sore that won’t heal may be a sign of diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. In addition to causing nerve damage, high blood sugar might also damage the blood vessels that supply nerves, causing circulation problems that prevent healing.
Swollen ankles and feet may be signs of heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, or a blood clot. Painless swelling in the feet is gravity in action. If your heart, liver, or kidneys aren’t working properly, you will have excess fluid in the body that leaks into your tissues and drains down to the feet.
A suddenly, intensely painful, and swollen big toe may be a sign of gout, inflammation caused by a buildup of uric acid that forms crystals in the joints.
Pain in the foot when walking or exercising that goes away when resting may be a sign of a stress fracture or osteoporosis.
Sore toe joints in both feet may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
Frequent foot cramping may be a sign of dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
Heel pain may be a sign of plantar fasciitis, the strain of the ligament that supports the arch in your foot.
Yellow toenails may be a sign of a fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot.
Balding or hairless feet and toes may be a sign of circulation problems, such as peripheral artery disease.
Foot or heel pain upon standing or rising in the morning may be a sign of arthritis or plantar fasciitis.
Frequently cold feet may be a sign of hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, or Raynaud’s disease, a condition where blood vessels spasm and constrict when experiencing cold temperatures.

Some ways you can care for your feet include:

Wash and examine your feet daily
Keep the skin on your feet moisturized
Treat any callouses and corns
Trim toenails weekly or as needed
Wear protective clothing on your feet
Maintain blood flow to the feet

If you are experiencing any of these foot ailments, contact Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Queens Podiatry Center at (718) 206-6713-6712 to make an appointment.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

Posted on January 22, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that causes your heart to beat faster than normal when you transition from sitting or lying down to standing up.

Each word of “postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome” has a meaning:

Postural – related to the position of your body
Orthostatic – related to standing upright
Tachycardia – a heart rate over 100 beats per minute
Syndrome – A group of symptoms that happen together

Your autonomic nervous system normally balances your heart rate and blood pressure to keep your blood flowing at a healthy pace, despite your body’s positioning. However, if you have POTS, your body can’t coordinate the balancing act of blood vessel constriction and heart rate response, meaning your body can’t keep your blood pressure steady and stable. This causes a variety of symptoms, including:

Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up, during prolonged standing in one position, or on long walks
Fainting or near fainting
Forgetfulness and trouble focusing (brain fog)
Heart palpitations or a racing heart rate
Exhaustion/fatigue
Feeling nervous or anxious
Shakiness and excessive sweating
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Headaches
Nausea
Bloating
A pale face and purple discoloration of your hands and feet if they’re lower than the level of your heart
Disrupted sleep from chest pain, a racing heart rate, or excessive sweating during sleep

POTS symptoms often get worse in the following situations:

Being in warm environments, such as in a hot bath or shower, or on a hot day
Standing frequently, such as when you’re waiting in line or shopping
Participating in strenuous exercise
When you are sick from a cold or an infection
Having your period

You can develop POTS suddenly or it can develop gradually. Symptoms vary from person to person. They may happen immediately or a few minutes after sitting up or standing. Lying down may relieve some of the symptoms.

Researchers aren’t sure what causes POTS. They currently believe there are multiple causes, which have been put into different subtypes of POTS, including:

Neuropathic POTS – this happens when peripheral denervation (loss of nerve supply) leads to poor blood vessel muscles, especially in your legs and abdomen
Hyperadrenergic POTS – this happens when your sympathetic nervous system is overactive
Hypovolemic POTS – reduced blood volume can lead to POTS. Low blood volume can cause similar symptoms that may overlap with neuropathic and hyperadrenergic POTS

There is also growing evidence that suggests POTS might be an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system attacks healthy tissue for unknown reasons.

POTS can be difficult for healthcare providers to diagnose due to the many symptoms that can occur over time. People with POTS may have symptoms for months or years before they are finally diagnosed with the condition.

To confirm a POTS diagnosis or rule out other possible causes for your symptoms, your healthcare provider will ask questions about symptoms, medications, and medical history, and they will also perform a series of tests.

A tilt table test is the main way providers diagnose POTS, as it measures your heart rate and blood pressure as you change your posture and position. A healthcare provider may order other tests to help determine a diagnosis, including:

Blood and urine tests for causes of POTS and conditions that mimic POTS
QSART (a test that measures the autonomic nerves that control sweating)
Autonomic breathing test (a test that measures your blood rate and pressure response during exercise
Skin nerve biopsy

Unfortunately, there is no cure for POTS. However, healthcare providers use strategies to manage the symptoms. Treatment is highly individualized based on your symptoms and what works best for you. The main forms of treatment include:

Exercise and physical activity
Diet and nutrition

There is nothing you can do to prevent developing POTS. But there are steps you can take to try to prevent flare-ups by knowing what your triggers are, including:

Maintaining a consistent temperature
Avoiding prolonged standing
Avoiding alcohol

If you are experiencing any POTS-related symptoms, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 right away.

Patient Testimonial: Dwayne Bull says, “I could never find words to express how thankful and how grateful I am”, After Dr. Mangla, his team, and the Jamaica Hospital Staff Save His Husband Arthur’s Life

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

“I could never find words to express how thankful and how grateful I am”, is what Dwayne Bull said after his husband Arthur’s surgery at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. On September 11^th, 2024, Mr. Arthur Dower Bull took a short walk with his husband Dwayne to shop in their neighborhood. After about a block of walking, Arthur began to show signs of passing out. At that moment, Dwayne immediately called 911. Leading up to that moment Arthur passed out, Dwayne explained, “Arthur had been complaining about pain in his left leg and shortness of breath since having two surgeries two weeks prior.” The ambulance arrived and Arthur was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

Arthur was being evaluated in the ER while Dwayne waited for news on his condition in the waiting room. A doctor approached Dwayne and told him that Arthur’s heart had stopped and he had to be revived. When the doctor told him that, Dwayne said, “My heart stopped, and I had never experienced that mental state in my life.” Dwayne recounted seeing a team of people standing over Arthur attempting to revive him again. He says, “I felt the pain of losing someone for the first time in my life and the hardest part was not being able to do anything about it.” For Dwayne, sitting in the waiting room feeling alone, nervous, and scared and not knowing what was happening, was the hardest thing for him.

Then, Dr. Aditya Mangla appeared. Dwayne recalls that Dr. Mangla was “extremely calm” and had a “positive presence about him”. “He gave me peace”, said Dwayne. Dr. Mangla told Dwayne that Arthur had blood clots in his lungs and blood stopped flowing to his heart. He expressed that if he did not perform immediate surgery Arthur wouldn’t make it and if he does perform the surgery, there still might be a chance that he wouldn’t make it because of the severity of his condition. Dr. Mangla told Dwayne there was a “30% chance that Arthur could survive the surgery”. Dwayne says Dr. Mangla, “assured me that he was extremely knowledgeable in this area of medicine and that he and Arthur were in the right place.”

Dr. Mangla allowed Dwayne to see Arthur one last time before surgery. Dr. Mangla told Dwayne, “I will treat him like he’s one of mine”. Dwayne waited in the waiting room for 90 minutes but remained positive because he knew Arthur was in good hands due to Dr. Mangla’s sincerity and level of experience. Then Dr. Mangla appeared with a certainty and enduring smile expressing that the surgery was successful. He then showed Dwayne pictures of the blood clots that were removed from Arthur’s lungs. When Dwayne finally got to see Arthur after the surgery, Arthur’s first words to him were, “You’re here.”

Dwayne would like to thank Dr. Mangla for the impeccable service he received. “Dr. Mangla is an angel,” Dwayne said. He would also like to thank Dr. Mangla’s team, the ICU nurses, and the rest of the hospital staff. “The hospital should be given an award.”

Dwayne and Arthur moved here from California last year and have been enjoying the sights and culture of the city. Thanks to Dr. Mangla, his team, and the hospital staff, they can continue to do so. “Dr. Mangla saved the life of my loved one. I wanted to say thank you, and I will never forget your unconditional support or allowing God to use you by the power of prayer.”

Holter Monitor

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

A Holter monitor is a small, wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) that records the heart’s electrical activity over 24 hours or longer while you’re away from your healthcare provider’s office.

A standard or resting ECG is one of the simplest and fastest tests to check the heart. Holter monitor tests may be done if a traditional electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) doesn’t provide enough details about the heart’s condition. Some personal devices like smartwatches offer electrocardiogram monitoring. Ask your healthcare professional if this is an option for you.

Some reasons you might need to wear a Holter monitor or why your healthcare provider may ask you to wear one include:

To evaluate symptoms that may be heart-rhythm-related. Symptoms can include:
- Chest pain
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Fainting
To identify irregular heartbeats or palpitations
To assess your risk for future heart-related events in certain conditions. These conditions can include thickened heart walls or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after a heart attack that causes weakness of the left side of the heart. This is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. In this syndrome, an abnormal electrical conduction pathway exists in the heart.
To see how well a pacemaker is working
To find out how well treatment is working for complex abnormal heart rhythms
To see how fast or slow your heart rate gets during the day and if you have any pauses in your heart rhythm

While you wear a Holter monitor, you can do most daily activities unless you have instructions to avoid certain things. You may be given a form to record your activities and any symptoms. It’s important to note if and when you have any of the following symptoms:

Pounding, fluttering, or skipped heartbeats
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Lightheadedness

After the allotted time with the Holter monitor, your healthcare provider will review the test results and discuss them with you. Information from Holter monitor testing can show if you have a heart condition and if any medicines you currently take aren’t working.

If you didn’t have any irregular heartbeats while you wore the monitor, you may need to wear a wireless Holter monitor or an event recorder. These devices can be worn longer than a standard Holter monitor. Event recorders are similar to Holter monitors and require you to push a button when you feel symptoms. There are several different types of event recorders.

If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be heart-rhythm-related, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911 right away.

National Afib Awareness Month

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

September is National Afib Awareness Month. Afib stands for atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeat. During Afib, the heart’s upper chambers, or the atria, beat chaotically and irregularly. They beat out of sync with the lower heart chambers, the ventricles.

Afib can lead to blood clots in the heart. It also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.

It usually isn’t life-threatening, but it is a serious medical condition that needs proper treatment to prevent serious health issues.

There are many symptoms of Afib, they can include:

Feelings of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat
Chest pain
Dizziness
Fatigue
Lightheadedness
Reduced ability to exercise
Shortness of breath
Weakness

People can experience three types of Afib, including:

Paroxysmal Afib
Persistent Afib
Long-standing persistent Afib

The most common cause of Afib is problems with the heart’s structure. Other health problems and heart diseases that can cause Afib include:

A congenital heart defect
Sick sinus syndrome
Obstructive sleep apnea
Heart attack
High blood pressure
Lung diseases, including pneumonia
Coronary artery disease
Thyroid diseases
Infections from viruses

Many factors can increase your risk of Afib, including:

Age
Caffeine, nicotine, or illegal drug use
Drinking too much alcohol
Changes in the level of body minerals
Family history
Long-term health conditions
Obesity
Some medicines and supplements

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent Afib. Some basic heart-healthy tips include:

Controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
Not smoking or using tobacco
Eating a diet that is low in salt and saturated fat
Exercising at least 30 minutes a day at least five days a week
Getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep a day
Maintaining a healthy weight
Reducing and managing stress

Afib is diagnosed when a healthcare provider examines you and asks questions about your medical history and symptoms. Tests may be done to look for conditions causing irregular heartbeats such as heart disease or thyroid disease, including:

Blood tests
ECG or EKG
Holter monitor
Event recorder
Implantable loop recorder
Exercise stress tests
Chest X-ray

The goals of Afib treatment are to reset and control the heartbeat and prevent blood clots. Treatment for Afib depends on how long you’ve had it, your symptoms, and the cause of the irregular heartbeat. Afib treatment can include:

Medications
Cardioversion therapy
Surgery or catheter procedures

If you are experiencing any symptoms of Afib, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.

Oral Health

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Your oral health is more important than you might realize. The health of your mouth, teeth, and gums can affect your overall health.

Like other areas of the body, the mouth is full of germs. Those germs are mostly harmless, but the mouth is the entryway to the digestive tract. It is also the entryway to the respiratory tract. Because of this, germs in the mouth can lead to disease throughout the body.

Oral germs and inflammation are linked to a severe form of gum disease called periodontitis. Studies suggest that germs and inflammation that form in the mouth might play a role in some diseases, including:

Endocarditis
Cardiovascular disease
Pregnancy and birth complications
Pneumonia

Most of the body’s defenses and good oral care help keep germs under control. Good oral care includes daily brushing and flossing. Without good oral hygiene, germs can reach levels that may lead to infections like tooth decay and gum disease.

While practicing good oral hygiene can lower the risk of health problems, other factors can affect oral health. Certain medicines such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers, water pills, and antidepressants can lower the flow of saliva. Saliva washes away food and keeps the acids germs make in the mouth in balance helping to keep them from spreading and causing disease.

Some health conditions can also affect oral health, they include:

Diabetes
HIV/AIDS
Cancer
Alzheimer’s disease

You can protect your oral health and take care of your mouth every day by:

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Use a brush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste. Brush your tongue too.
Flossing between your teeth daily.
Eating a healthy diet and limiting sugary foods and drinks.
Replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. Sooner if the bristles are worn out.
Seeing a dentist at least once a year for checkups and cleanings.

Taking care of your oral health protects your overall health.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a dentist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, you may call 718-206-6980

Causes of Chest Pains That Aren’t Heart-Related

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Chest pains are usually associated with heart problems. However, there are many other causes that you should be aware of.

Chest pain that isn’t heart-related is called noncardiac chest pain. Noncardiac chest pain is often described as feeling a painful squeezing or tightness in your chest, or a pressure of heaviness behind your sternum. The pain may be felt on the right or left side or in the middle of your chest.

Many symptoms may occur with noncardiac chest pain including:

A sour taste or a sensation of food entering the mouth
Trouble swallowing
Pain that gets better or worse when you change body position
Pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
Tenderness when you push on your chest
Pain that continues for many hours

You may not be able to tell the difference between a heart attack and noncardiac chest pain, for that reason it is important to take any chest pain seriously. If it is sudden or new and lasts longer than five minutes, go to the emergency room. If it goes away after a few minutes, you should see your healthcare provider as soon as possible to determine the cause.

Some causes of noncardiac chest pain include:

Digestive issues
- Heartburn
- Swallowing disorders
- Gallbladder or pancreatic problems
Muscle and bone injuries
- Costochondritis
- Sore muscles
- Injured ribs
Lung-related issues

- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pleurisy
- Collapsed lung
- Pulmonary Hypertension

Panic attacks
Shingles

Some risk factors associated with noncardiac chest pain can include:

High Body Mass Index (BMI)
Smoking or tobacco use
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Anxiety

Some immediate tests used to help diagnose the cause of chest pain include:

ECG or EKG
Blood tests
Chest X-ray
CT scan

Follow-up tests may need to be done depending on the results of the first tests. They include:

Echocardiogram
CT scan
Stress tests
Coronary catheterization

Treatment for chest pain varies depending on the cause. Some treatments can include:

Medications if the cause isn’t heart-related such as:

Blood thinners
Acid-reducing medicines
Antidepressants

Surgical procedure if the cause isn’t heart-related such as:

Lung re-inflation

If you are experiencing any chest pain symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call (718) 206-7001. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

What Parents Should Know About Oral Nicotine Pouches

Posted on August 9, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking hit a historic low in 2023, with the adult smoking rate dropping to 11%. Because of the steady decline of smokers over the years, tobacco companies have tried other ways to retain customers as well as attract new ones by introducing new products.

One of those new products is oral nicotine pouches. Oral nicotine pouches are small permeable pouches typically placed between the lip and the gum containing crystalized nicotine powder in various flavors. Although little is known about the product, nicotine pouches have become one of the fastest-growing categories, increasing sales from about 126 million units to over 800 million units between 2019 and 2022.

Oral nicotine pouches are aimed at adults who are looking for a tobacco-less, smoke-free alternative to cigarettes as they try to stop smoking. However, according to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in October of 2023, 1.5% of middle and high school students reported using nicotine pouches in the previous 30 days.

Tobacco companies sell nicotine pouches in attractive packaging and assorted flavors, including citrus, berry, peppermint, coffee, and mango. Researchers are concerned that this marketing tactic is likely to appeal to young people who may not be aware of the harmful effects of nicotine. Some social media influencers have promoted the use of nicotine pouches by showing how they use them in their daily lives, discreetly placing them in their mouths at work and school, as well as doing taste tests.

“Nicotine pouches are marketed as a nicotine product that provides a buzz without the harmful effects of tobacco or smoking. However, people using these products should be aware that ‘tobacco-free’ does not mean ‘risk-free’”, says Alexandra Howell, DMD, Oral Medicine Specialist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral Diagnostic Services at Virginia Commonwealth’s University’s School of Dentistry.

Despite the long-term health impact of nicotine pouches being unknown, the side effects of its use can include:

Nicotine addiction
Irritation of the gums
Lung problems
Infertility problems
Stomach problems
Sore mouth
Hiccups
Nausea

Nicotine pouches can also present several cardiovascular risks. The use of these products can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and potential heart attacks.

To speak with a Family Medicine doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center about smoking cessation, please call (718) 206-6942.

Blood Clots

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

Blood clots are gel-like clumps of blood that form in your arteries and veins. Blood clots help control bleeding, but can also cause serious medical issues like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and heart attack.

Blood clots are the first line of defense if something damages your blood vessels. This is why bleeding usually stops after a few minutes when you cut yourself. You can also develop a blood clot when you have been immobile for a long time or have medical conditions that increase your risk of getting them.

Blood clots are made of small colorless fragments of cells produced by your bone marrow called platelets. They are also made of a sticky blood protein that looks like strings called fibrin. Platelets and fibrin work together to seal injured areas of your blood vessels.

You can have blood clots anywhere in your body. When they develop in the veins of your arms and legs it’s called deep vein thrombosis. Blood clots that form in the arteries of your lungs are called pulmonary embolism. A stroke occurs when blood clots block blood flow to your brain. When blood clots are in your heart, they can cause a heart attack.

If you are experiencing leg pain, swollen legs, or skin discoloration, these may be symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. Chest pain or shortness of breath can be symptoms of blood clots in your lungs or heart.

Some other possible symptoms of blood clots to be mindful of include:

A cough that produces blood sputum
A fast heartbeat
Lightheadedness
Pain that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, or jaw
Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg
Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech

Some conditions focus on blood clots such as blood clotting issues. Some blood clotting disorders include:

Factor V Leiden- an inherited disorder and most common blood clotting disorder. It slightly increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Prothrombin Gene Mutation- an inherited condition that slightly increases your risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome- an autoimmune disorder that increases the risk of blood clots.

People who have an increased risk of developing blood clots include:

People 65 years of age or older
Pregnancy
People who are obese
People who have cancer
Those on birth control or hormone therapy
Smokers
Immobile people

Ways to reduce the risk of developing blood clots include:

Avoid sitting for long periods
Drinking plenty of fluids
Changing your lifestyle

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center, please call (718) 206-7001. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.

Aortic Dissection

Posted on July 24, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

An aortic dissection is a serious condition that occurs when blood rushes through a tear in a weakened area of the aorta’s wall causing it to split or dissect.

Symptoms of aortic dissection can be similar to the symptoms of other heart problems like a heart attack. These signs and symptoms include:

Sudden severe chest or upper back pain.
Sudden severe stomach pain.
Loss of consciousness.
Shortness of breath.
Symptoms that are similar to those of a stroke.
Weak pulse in one arm or thigh.
Leg pain
Difficulty walking

Aortic dissections are divided into two groups, depending on which part of the aorta is affected. These groups are:

Type A- is more common and dangerous. It involves a tear in the part of the aorta where it exits the heart. A tear may also occur in the upper aorta.
Type B- involves a tear in the lower aorta only.

Some factors that can raise your risk of aortic dissection include:

Hypertension
Hardening of the arteries
Aortic aneurysm
An aortic valve defect
A narrowing of the aorta at birth

Certain genetic diseases can also increase the risk of aortic dissection. They include:

Turner syndrome
Marfan syndrome
Other connective tissue disorders.
Inflammation of the arteries

Other potential risk factors for aortic dissection include:

Sex
Age
Pregnancy
Cocaine use
High-intensity weightlifting.

Aortic dissection is uncommon and usually occurs in men in their 60s and 70s. The condition can cause many complications including:

Death due to severe internal bleeding.
Organ damage, such as kidney failure or life-threatening intestinal damage.
Stroke
Aortic valve damage or rupture into the lining around the heart.

It can be challenging to detect an aortic dissection because symptoms can mimic those of other diseases and health problems which can delay a diagnosis.

A doctor may think you have aortic dissection if you have:

Sudden tearing or ripping chest pain.
A difference in blood pressure between the right and left arms.
Widening of the aorta on a chest X-ray.

Tests to diagnose aortic dissection include:

Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
CT scan of the chest.
MRA

An aortic dissection is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Treatment can include surgery or medications depending on the area of the aorta involved.

Treatments for Type A and Type B aortic dissection may include:

Surgery
Medications

After treatment, you may need to take medication to control your blood pressure for the rest of your life. You may also need regular CT or MRI scans to monitor your condition.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of aortic dissection, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.