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Cardiology Institute

Unit 109, 119 Apollo Drive, Albany, Auckland
consult@cardiologist.co.nz
P: xxx-xxxx; F xxx-xxxx
Unit 109, 119 Apollo Drive, Albany, Auckland. P: 000-0000. F: 000-0000. consult@cardiologist.co.nz. EDI: cardinst

T 09-980-6363. M 022-672-8255. F 09-929-3248. consult@cardiologist.co.nz. EDI: CARDINST

North Shore - Suite 109, Level 1, 119 Apollo Drive, Albany

Silverdale - Northern Specialist Centre @Beyond; 5 Painton Road, Silverdale.

Central Auckland - 110 Specialist Centre @ Beyond;v110 Grafton Road, Grafton

East Auckland - East Care Specialist Centre, 260 Botany Road, Howick, Manukau

Cardiology Institute

  • Our Team
  • GP Symposium 2025
  • GP Heart Blog
  • Patient Info
  • New patient form
  • Contact

Our approach to CT calcium score

March 26, 2022 Andrew To
MESA calculator - probability of non-zero calcium score

MESA calculator - probability of non-zero calcium score

In primary prevention, CT calcium scoring has been suggested to help decision making surrounding statin use.

Some of the underlying concepts are somewhat complex, but the screening paradigm remains that of matching the intensity of preventive efforts with the individual’s absolute risk.

The appropriateness of CT calcium scoring in an individual patient therefore depends

  • patient’s pretest probability of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk

  • potential benefits of preventive therapies

  • negative aspects and risks of preventive therapies

  • patient preference

Read more
In Drug Treatment Tags Risk assessment, CT coronary angiography, CT calcium scoring, Statins, Side effects

BP therapy initiation - Combination vs. Single Agent

September 4, 2019 Andrew To
Expected BP lowering with different anti-hypertensive classes and dosages.

Expected BP lowering with different anti-hypertensive classes and dosages.

65M with Type 2 diabetes on oral hypoglycaemics but no proven coronary artery disease, BP 150/95mmHg despite 3 months of intensive lifestyle modifications, not currently on anti-hypertensives. Would you?

-      Introduce low dose ACE inhibitors, with gradual up-titration

-      Introduce combination ACE inhibitor / thiazide, with up-titration later on

Read more
In Drug Treatment, Hypertension Tags hypertension, Side effects, calcium channel blocker, ACE inhibitor, thiazide, beta blocker, primary prevention

NSAIDs and MI risk

September 11, 2017 Andrew To
One-man-band on St Kilda Road, Melbourne

One-man-band on St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use is associated with a significantly increased risk for myocardial infarction (MI). This includes naproxen, considered by some as one of the safest drugs in this class. This is according to a new patient level meta-analysis from the University of Montreal, studying celecopxib, diclofenac, ibuoprofen, naproxen and rofecoxib.

Read more
In Drug Treatment, Myocardial infarction Tags Side effects, myocardial infarction, NSAIDs

Patient centered discussion of primary prevention statin therapy

September 5, 2017 Andrew To
Mayo clinic Statin Choice Decision Aid

Mayo clinic Statin Choice Decision Aid

The Mayo clinic has recently published an electronic tool called “Statin Choice Decision Aid”, which is immensely valuable in helping patients visualize cardiovascular risk, and the benefit of statin medications as applied to them.

Read more
In Drug Treatment Tags Statins, myocardial infarction, Side effects, primary prevention

Are cardiologists obsessed with statins?

September 4, 2016 Andrew To

Sam is a 60-year-old male heart attack survivor who had an unremarkable recovery after the successful coronary artery stenting in the middle of the night of his presentation. Now it is 3 months and Sam feels absolutely grand. At follow-up, his cardiologist insists that he should continue all the prescribed medications. He read on the internet some bad press about statin medications and thought, “surely, nothing will happen if I stop taking statins?!”

Read more
In Drug Treatment Tags Side effects, Statins, myocardial infarction

Vitamin D and stain myalgia

August 30, 2015 Andrew To

55M IHD with prior stents; prior myalgia with Simvastatin and Atorvastatin; but yet still more myalgia with Pravastatin. The treating physician decided to check his vitamin D level and his coenzyme Q10 level.

Which one, vitamin D level or coenzyme Q10 level, is relevant in statin myalgia?

Read more
In Drug Treatment Tags Statins, Vitamin D, Coenzyme Q10, Myalgia, Side effects

Copyright @2024 Cardiology Institute; All photos copyright @2024 Andrew To