VCS

By: Dr. Ashwani Kumar Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, occurs when a buildup, known as plaque, forms on the walls of your arteries. Plaque is typically formed by fat deposits or cholesterol, but it can also be created by calcium or fibrous tissue found in your blood. The buildup of plaque, called atherosclerosis, can cause your […]

By: Dr. Sameer Rohatgi If you’re experiencing dizziness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or palpitations your doctor may suggest that you have an electrocardiogram. This cardiovascular test, abbreviated as EKG or ECG, is a non-invasive test typically performed in your doctor’s office and measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat. How Is an Electrocardiogram Conducted? No special […]

By: Dr. Shelton W. Thomas Many people are familiar with their family’s medical history and risk factors for certain diseases. But what you might not know is exactly how at-risk you are and how proactive you need to be in order to avoid complications from those diseases. For the millions of Americans who are at risk […]

For anyone dealing with chest pain or shortness of breath, your primary care doctor or cardiologist may recommend a nuclear stress test.  Typically nuclear stress tests are performed at your cardiologist’s office and are an excellent diagnostic tool to show areas of low blood flow to the heart.In the article below we discuss what a […]

Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, and when it comes to heart health, diet matters. An unhealthy diet can contribute to not only heart disease but other health issues outside the heart. We can’t change our genetics – family history is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease that we […]

By: Dr. Michael B. Erwin Cardiovascular disease is a general term encompassing many conditions- aortic disease, peripheral vascular disease, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, angina, and heart failure. An understanding of your personal cardiac risk factors is a good starting point in controlling your cardiac health.  Heart Disease is the number one killer of both men […]

By: Katie P. Baker People make New Year’s resolutions every year — to break a bad habit, to lose weight, to get organized, to save up for that big trip. Many resolutions revolve around better health. But what does “better health” mean, and what concrete steps can you take, especially when it comes to your heart […]

By: Dr. Christopher S.Thomas The terms “chest pain” and “chest tightness” are often used interchangeably, but mean different things. Chest tightness usually means a heaviness or ache, while chest pain often takes on a more “pins and needles” feeling. It’s important to understand when to make an appointment with a cardiologist if you think you may […]

By: Andrea (Andi) C. Funai A heart failure diagnosis can be difficult to live with. Controlling the risk factors and health conditions that lead to heart failure is often a struggle. But managing your heart failure diagnosis responsibly is vital to keeping your condition from getting worse. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart failure (or the […]

By: Dr. Christopher S.Thomas Whether you’ve just started a new exercise program, or are trying to reach new fitness goals, you may find yourself experiencing some degree of chest pains. These symptoms can be alarming and even frightening. In this article, we explain why these pains occur, some common symptoms, and what you can do to […]

When it comes to your heart health, knowing your family history can be every bit as important as a diagnosis from a cardiovascular specialist or your primary care physician. Having your family history on hand can help you know the risk factors and help you prevent coronary artery disease and heart disease. Knowing is the […]

A heart murmur is the sound of abnormal blood flow across a valve in the heart and presents itself as unusual sounds between heartbeats. A heart murmur isn’t always a sign of something serious — but it’s always worth investigating with your doctor. When your physician identifies a heart murmur it is important to figure […]

If you’ve ever felt a heart murmur, or if you’ve been told by a doctor that you have one, the first thing you might feel is concern. What are heart murmurs? Where and why do they occur? Are heart murmurs bad? In this article, we explain what they are, why they matter, and how they’re […]

There are many everyday reasons for leg cramps: dehydration, nerve compression, or just sleeping in the wrong position for too long. But some leg cramps may be a sign of a more serious condition. Read on to learn more about the cardiac risk factors tied to leg cramps, and what you can do to address […]

Every April, Richmond Magazine compiles the Top Docs of Richmond. These awards are based on nominations by Richmond physicians in 82 categories. VCS physicians have been recognized as Top Doctors for the past 22 years. This year 6 of our VCS physicians were recognized! Congratulations to Dr. Appleton, Dr. Gilligan, Dr. Jennings, Dr. Kundur, Dr. Newton and Dr. Sperry, all recognized as 2017 Top Docs! And we […]

VCS is pleased to welcome Dr. Ashwani Kumar to our team! Dr. Kumar specializes in Cardiac Catheterizations, Peripheral Vascular Intervention – Including complex and below the knee and many other areas.