The New York Preventive Cardiology Institute uses the following tools in assessing a patient's risk profile:

Regular exercise and proper diet are essential to risk factor modification. After the patients risk profile has been determined, appropriate recommendations are made which may include cholesterol-lowering medication, blood pressure medications, vitamins, anti platelet therapy (blood-thinning medication), exercise and dietary recommendations. Sometimes further evaluation is needed, such as cardiac catheterization or angiogram, which allows us to look at the blood vessels in the body.

ASPIRIN RESISTANCE

Aspirin resistance is a reduced response to aspirin therapy. Many patients are placed on aspirin therapy to prevent a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke. Up to 40% of patients have demonstrated resistance to aspirin. The patients are unaware of this. Some patients require adjustments in the dose of aspirin of the use of another antiplatelet medication such as Plavix to prevent myocardial infarction or stroke. Aspirin resistance has been shown to develop over time in individuals on aspirin therapy.

Dr. Guy Mintz is using cutting edge technology to identify patients with aspirin resistance. A simple blood test can be done to identify patients who require further antiplatelet therapy and/or adjustment in their dose of aspirin therapy. This is another tool that Dr. Mintz is using in his quest for continued cardiac prevention.