Meet the Experts

Dr. Alvaro Gomez

Cardiologist with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute

Videos

Women and Heart Disease

Dr. Alvaro Gomez, Cardiologist with Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, says for too long the medical community was not aware of heart disease as the number one killer of women. He highlights the importance of doing something about women and heart disease, because there is a need to know it is a problem.

Cardiotoxicity: Treatment & Diagnosis

In case of receiving big doses of medication for breast cancer, such as Herceptin, Dr. Alvaro Gomez, Cardiologist with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, advises making an appointment with a cardiologist. Short of breath is the first sign of cardiotoxicity, he explains. With a video, the doctor explains what an echocardiogram is and how it helps to prevent any heart problems.

An Overview of Cardiotoxicity

Cardiomyopathy is produced by a direct toxic effect of medication into the heart muscle and it weakens it. Dr. Alvaro Gomez, Cardiologist with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, explains in the field of oncology, not 100% patient needs to be followed by a cardiologist. Echocardiography is the way of the means of choice in terms of follow-up to cardiac cancer patients, he says.

Heart Disease: Know Your Numbers

Dr. Alvaro Gomez, Cardiologist with Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, explains you need to know your numbers in terms of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose or blood sugar, whether you have diabetes or not. He also points out the importance of stopping smoking, because once you smoke, you eliminate the protective effect of estrogen. He highlights women should also do their mammogram and gynecological exam.

Preventing Cardiotoxicity from Cancer Therapies

People who are followed for certain types of cancer, like lymphomas or lung cancer, need to have frequent and serial CT scans of their chests, explains Dr. Alvaro Gomez, Cardiologist with Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. He also talks about the labor of Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, about the quality of care, the facilities, specialties, cardiac oncology team and the associations with other teams they offer.

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