VCS Blog

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 […]

By: Dr. Daniel A. Schneider Experiencing a fast heart rate can be a worrisome occurrence, especially if you are not aware of why it is taking place. Let’s take a brief look at some of the basic questions surrounding a fast heart rate, as well as when to take further action. What Is Considered A “Fast […]

By: Dr. David M. Gilligan A heart palpitation is the awareness of your heart beating in your chest. When you can feel or hear your heart racing or pounding, you are experiencing a heart palpitation.  Sometimes it feels like your heart skipped a beat or you feel an extra beat.  Although most people feel this sensation […]

By: Dr. Carolyn A. Burns The term heart disease is a broad term that may refer to a number of different ailments, including issues with the heart’s electrical system, valve system, or its pumping ability. Generally speaking, however, “heart disease” is most often referring to coronary artery disease (CAD). In cases of coronary artery disease, there […]

By: Dr. Ashwani Kumar A cardiac catheterization is a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions (for example, blockages). During a cardiac catheterization, a catheter is put into a blood vessel so that a doctor may perform diagnostic tests and treatments on your heart. The difference between a standard catheterization (femoral) and a radial […]

By: Dr. William L. Coble, Jr. The words chest pain and chest tightness are often used synonymously, but it’s the former that represents more of a catch-all terminology. Chest tightness is generally associated with a heaviness or achy feeling, while a “pins and needles” sensation is usually more indicative of musculoskeletal issues. Let’s take a closer […]

Being a prepared patient will help your doctor diagnose and treat you more accurately; and it will help you get the most out of your visit as well. Before scheduling an appointment make sure you understand how your insurance works and what it pays for, including what your deductible and co-pay are.  You should also […]

By: Dr. Timothy W. Hagemann Why You Need a Cardiac Screening Whether you’re a professional athlete or playing at a much less competitive level – say in a recreational or weekend league, you may benefit from seeing a Sports Cardiologist. You don’t have to be out-of-shape, obese or old to have heart problems. People of all […]

Aortic stenosis is a cardiac condition where the aortic valve of the heart narrows and calcifies, preventing it from fully opening. This obstructs blood flow from the heart to other parts of the body and makes the heart work much harder. The condition occurs most often in elderly individuals – up to 10% of those […]

A common misperception is that “cholesterol” is a bad thing. True, cholesterol has received a lot of bad press over the years, but the fact is, our body needs cholesterol to function. Your liver is constantly making cholesterol to ensure you have enough and cholesterol is an important building block for our brains, nervous system […]

By: Dr. Bradford J. Matthews Heart block is an abnormal heart rhythm where the heart beats too slowly, a condition called bradycardia. It is caused by a blockage that disrupts the communication between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. Heart block can be acquired, meaning it is the result of damage to the heart, […]

By: Dr. Reza K. Omarzai When it comes to understanding your cholesterol levels, it is important to make sense of the numbers themselves, what risks they pose, and how to control your cholesterol levels through lifestyle modifications.   What is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fatty, wax-like substance that is found in cells throughout the body.  […]

By: Dr. Reza K. Omarzai While smoking, obesity, lack of activity and other controllable issues can contribute to high cholesterol; there are factors that can contribute to elevated LDL levels that are not due to a person’s daily habits. Situations like these may include: Someone with familial lipid abnormalities will have high cholesterol because of their […]

By: Dr. Michael J. Bunda Cardiologists often order diagnostic tests to better understand the interworking of your heart. Understanding why the test was ordered along with proper test preparation are important to eliminate potential cancellation or rescheduling for patients. Two tests that are often misunderstood are the Echocardiogram (or echo) and the Stress Echocardiogram (commonly called […]

By: Dr. Darryn L. Appleton Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a blood vessel disease that impacts the blood flow outside of the brain or heart. We usually use this term to talk about diseases affecting the arterial circulation, which are the vessels that carry oxygen rich blood from the heart to the tissues of the body. […]

By: Dr. Aalya H. Crowl An echocardiogram allows your physician to assess the structure and function of the heart and can assist with diagnosing cardiac disease and monitoring disease progression.  An echocardiogram is a detailed examination of the heart that takes a short time to perform and can be done in an outpatient setting. Let’s take […]

Vascular disease affects your blood vessels, which include your arteries and veins that pump blood throughout your body. Vascular testing is ordered to get a closer look at your circulatory system and evaluate if you might have vascular disease. Vascular testing is a broad term used to describe the non-invasive inspection of any blood vessel […]

By: Dr. S. Craig Vranian Are you experiencing symptoms that may indicate heart disease? If so your primary care physician will typically refer you to a cardiologist.  There are many tests that cardiologists can employ to diagnose heart-related problems.  A nuclear medicine test is one of the most commonly performed non-invasive diagnostic heart tests.  It is […]

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 […]