Carolyn Strimike and Margie Latrella

Caring.com Experts

About

Carolyn Strimike and Margie Latrella are board certified nurse practitioners specializing in health and wellness promotion and disease prevention. They have over 40 years of nursing experience between them. They are dedicated to addressing the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual components that promote good health.

Their main goal is to help people formulate a realistic plan for healthy living. Simple, fun changes in daily life can lead to major health benefits. Their lectures to community groups, corporations, healthcare providers and national organizations have already provided thousands of people with this valuable information.

They have both been recognized by the American Heart Association and The Women’s Heart Foundation for their work.

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Recently Published on Caring.com

  1. Friday August 27, 2010

    1. How can I keep boost the spirits of someone with CHF?

      Answer - It is natural to be scared when diagnosed with a heart problem so the important thing is to be supportive and sometimes that can help boost the spirits of someone with CHF. You may want to check and see if there are any CHF support groups in your area - check your local hospitals...

    2. Can the sweats be a symptom of heart disease?

      Answer - First of all we hope you are doing well after your surgery. Many people experience sweating as a symptom of heart disease - cold sweats or hot sweats. You should definitely mention this to your healthcare provider on your next visit expecially since you had experienced sweating prior to you bypass procedure...

  2. Friday August 06, 2010

    1. I have leaking valves in my heart (mild-pulmonary,...

      Answer - The "leaking heart valves" do not sound severe, we use a grading system trace, mild, moderate, severe. The swelling of your legs, shortness of breath, chest pain and tingles may still be a sign of a heart problem and we would recommend that you see a cardiologist to be evaluated further...

  3. Friday July 23, 2010

    1. Should I see a cardiologist if I have leaking valves?

      Answer - You describe your "leaking heart valves" as mild pulmonary, trace tricupsid and mild mitral leaking - these are very common findings in women and usually do not lead to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath and leg/ankle swelling (but everyone is different)...

    2. What's the prognosis for someone who had a heart attack and pacemaker installation before a CHF diagnosis?

      Answer - After a heart attack unfortunately it is common to develop a weakening of the heart muscle which can lead to congestive heart failure. The pacemaker will help maintain a regular heart rate. We have taken care of many people who have had heart attacks developed heart failure and had pacemakers put in...

  4. Friday July 16, 2010

    1. What can we expect after defibrillator surgery?

      Answer - First of all we hope everything goes well with the defibrillator procedure. The implantable defibrillator is used to deliver a shock to the heart when a life threatening irregular heart rhythm is detected. We have taken care of many people who have had these devices for years and have done well, it is a life saving device...

  5. Saturday July 10, 2010

    1. What do I do to treat an ascending enlarged aorta?

      Answer - It is a good thing that you had a heart scan and that you are now aware that you have an enlarged ascending aorta. I am not sure what type of "heart scan" you had, but generally a CT scan or MRI would be in order to best evaluate the enlargement of the ascending aorta.

  6. Friday July 09, 2010

    1. Are painkillers necessary after a bypass operation?

      Answer - Our thoughts are with you as you have your bypass surgery. I worked in the open heart surgery intensive care unit for years and I must say pain control and tolerance is a very individualized situation. Some patients only took tylenol while others took the pain killers every four hours.

  7. Tuesday May 25, 2010

    1. Does a pacemaker keep working even after death?

      Answer - We are sorry to hear about the frail nature of your mother. Many people assume that pacemakers prolong life and keep people's hearts beating after death. Pacemakers generally improve quality of life in people with certain cardiac conditions but are not resuscitative devices(unless it is a pacemaker with a defibrillator)...

  8. Wednesday May 12, 2010

    1. Is there a test that can tell if you've had previous heart attacks?

      Answer - Glad to hear you plan to go to the hospital if this ever happens again. The pain you have experienced in the past could be related to heart problems and should be evaluated. You may have been experiencing angina which is a warning sign of an impending heart attack...

    2. Is this normal care after stents?

      Answer - Glad your husband has recovered from the tiny brain bleed, which actually is a type of stroke. How to care for stents has become a very difficult and controversial situation due to recent studies that recommend continuing Plavix and aspirin longer with drug eluting stents...

  9. Friday May 07, 2010

    1. Can a "pins and needles" feeling in my arm mean a heart problem?

      Answer - Many people experience different symptoms with heart problems. A "pins and needles" feeling in the arms can be a sign of a possible heart problem or stroke. This may be a warning sign and you should get it evaluated by a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

  10. Thursday April 29, 2010

    1. Can Vitamin D affect heart rate if taken with other drugs?

      Answer - Vitamin D has been reported to interfere with the absorption and effects of some heart medications. There is very little data available on vitamin D interactions with the medications you listed but you must remember everyone responds differently to medications...

  11. Tuesday April 27, 2010

    1. Can I stinging feeling by my heart indicate a heart problem?

      Answer - A stinging feeling near the heart could potentially be a sign of a heart problem. Everyone experiences chest pain or chest discomfort differently and there are a multitude of causes of chest discomfort but we believe it is best to always rule out heart problems first. We would recommend you contact your healthcare provider and get this checked out...

  12. Wednesday April 21, 2010

    1. After a bypass, what exercise is the most beneficial?

      Answer - First of all, we are glad your recovery has been progressing well and that you are back to your normal activities. Exercise is very beneficial to your heart health post bypass surgery. While walking is the initial recommendation after surgery, people do resume more vigorous forms of exercise once they have been cleared by their cardiologist...

  13. Tuesday April 13, 2010

    1. What does "marked tortuosit and calcification of the aorta" mean?

      Answer - Marked tortuosity and calcification of the aorta on a chest x-ray means the aorta (which is the main blood vessel that receives the blood directly from the heart) has many acute bends and has become hardened. The bends and curves in a blood vessel are usually hereditary but the calcification can be a...

  14. Friday April 09, 2010

    1. Is it normal to feel tightness, aches, and pains after a heart attack?

      Answer - First of all we are glad that you were given a good report that your arteries are open after your heart attack. Typically if there are no blockages in your hearts blood vessels you should not be experiencing any aches or pains after a heart attack. If you had a balloon or stent procedure sometimes people experience chest muscle aches post procedure...

  15. Wednesday March 24, 2010

    1. How long can you live with only one side of your heart functioning?

      Answer - First of all we are sorry to hear about your friend, unfortunately it is a relatively common problem. An implantable defibrillator is used when the heart muscle weakens, such as after a heart attack. The right side of the heart is normally smaller than the left side and is more prone to damage after a heart attack...

  16. Monday March 22, 2010

    1. Do blood thinners make you feel cold?

      Answer - "Blood thinners" do not increase your circulation. Their main purpose is to prevent blood clots from forming. Plavix is actually an antiplatelet medication and not a "blood thinner" like coumadin or warfarin. Feeling cold is not a documented side effect of Plavix however everyone metabolizes and responds to medications differently...

  17. Friday March 19, 2010

    1. Is it safe to stop blood thinners for a few days for a surgery?

      Answer - The anti-platelet medications aspirin and Plavix are VERY IMPORTANT to take after having a stent placed in one of the heart arteries. These medications are commonly called blood thinners but are actually anti-platelet meds which mean they also prevent blood clots from forming by preventing platelets...

  18. Saturday March 06, 2010

    1. Is slurred speech and mood swings part of end stage congestive heart failure?

      Answer - Slurred speech and mood swings are not "typical" symptoms of the end stage of congestive heart failure but can occur. Congestive heart failure is caused by a weakened heart muscle which can affect the circulation to the brain, this can lead to mood swings and slurred speech...

  19. Friday March 05, 2010

    1. Was heart valve surgery the only option?

      Answer - First of all we are sorry to hear about the passing of your grandmother. Unfortunately it sounds like your grandmother developed advanced heart failure over the last year of her life. This occurs when the heart muscle weakens and causes many of the symptoms you described your grandmother had...

  20. Friday February 05, 2010

    1. Can a traumatic event cause congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy?

      Answer - Sorry to hear about your husband's accident. It is possible but unlikely that your husband's cardiomyopathy was caused by a car accident. Acute congestive heart failure can occur after chest trauma due to a "stunned" heart muscle but generally isn't a chronic condition. Perhaps he had other underlying unrecognized risk factors for heart disease...

  21. Friday December 18, 2009

    1. What can be done for swollen legs due to CHF?

      Answer - Leg swelling due to congestive heart failure is very common. The swelling is due to excess fluid that backs up because the heart muscle is weak and cannot pump well. Diuretics are the usual treatment because they help the body get rid of excess fluid. There are numerous diuretics that can be used...

  22. Monday December 07, 2009

    1. When is the right time to have a bypass surgery?

      Answer - Avoiding bypass surgery is not recommended if your father has blockages in the arteries of his heart and a weakened heart muscle. If he has not had a heart catheterization yet that should be your next step. The heart catheterization shows how severe the blockages are and determines whether bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty/stenting should be done...

  23. Monday November 30, 2009

    1. How should I cook for a heart attack patient?

      Answer - You’re best bet is to prepare foods and meals from scratch. Prepared dishes and canned foods are generally very high in sodium (salt).

    2. Any idea how long my husband may have?

      Answer - Unfortunately, this course of events is not uncommon in people with known heart disease and diabetes. Most importantly, your husband needs to get all of his risk factors very well controlled. These include

  24. Tuesday November 24, 2009

    1. My heart keeps racing but I'm getting no help.

      Answer - Afib (atrial fibrillation) can occur after a heart attack especially if there is an enlargement or irritability of the atria (top chambers of the heart). Shortness of breath, chest pressure and the choking feeling (racing heart symptoms) may be due to the racing of the irregular heartbeat...

  25. Wednesday November 18, 2009

    1. Is a burning sensation associated with angina?

      Answer - People suffering from angina can feel discomfort or a burning sensation in many different locations including the chest, left arm, jaw, and left shoulder blade area. While the right chest is not a common place to feel angina type pain, it is definitely possible...

  26. Wednesday November 11, 2009

    1. What causes sweating during a heart attack?

      Answer - Sweating during a heart attack is usually caused by overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is what causes your "fight or flight" response. When someone starts to experience pain such as pain with a heart attack hormones are released...

  27. Tuesday October 27, 2009

    1. How long does someone live with an enlarged heart?

      Answer - There really isn't a direct answer to this question. A person can live with an enlarged heart anywhere from weeks, to months, to years. In addition to heart size, it is important to know about heart function. If the heart function is well preserved, even though it is enlarged, survival rates are better...

  28. Thursday October 22, 2009

    1. Is there a connection between blunt chest trauma and heart problems?

      Answer - First of all glad to hear you did not experience any head or spine trauma after your accident. Heart problems after blunt chest trauma are common especially when broken ribs are involved. The heart lies very close to the rib cage and an injury to the chest wall can lead to heart damage...

  29. Thursday October 15, 2009

    1. What regular checkups are recommended after bypass surgery?

      Answer - Regular checkups with your cardiologist after bypass surgery are essential to prevent future blockages and mantain optimal heart health. Your cardiologist should monitor:

  30. Wednesday September 23, 2009

    1. What’s the Best Way to Limit Salt in My Diet?

      Answer - It’s all about reading labels. Lowering sodium is one of the easiest lifestyle changes you can make to lower blood pressure, but it takes time to check the sodium content of everything you buy. And be aware: Sodium can be listed as sodium benzoate or sodium citrate. Whatever extra words are attached, it’s still salt...

  31. Friday September 04, 2009

    1. Does Atrial Fibrillation Increase Stroke Risk?

      Answer - People with atrial fibrillation who take medication for their condition still have a slightly increased risk of stroke compared with people without this condition. But effective treatment can cut that risk by more than half.

    2. Are There Ways to Lower Cholesterol Besides Using Statins?

      Answer - There are some simple steps to take to lower cholesterol without using statins. But you need to look at the whole picture, which isn't just total cholesterol -- it's levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol; HDL, or "good" cholesterol; and triglycerides.

    3. Are High Triglycerides Dangerous, and How Can You Lower Them?

      Answer - Yes, high triglyceride levels are dangerous, and you do need to lower them. But doctors often don't do a good job of explaining why or how. Triglycerides (TG) are fats, or lipids. They're sometimes called the "forgotten fat," because everyone talks about cholesterol but neglects the importance of triglycerides...

  32. Tuesday September 01, 2009

    1. What Are the New Cholesterol Tests?

      Answer - In the past few years, new cholesterol tests have become available that are more sensitive and individualized. They go by a number of names; the most common is lipoprotein subfraction testing. Right now, doctors usually order these tests for people who have a strong family history of heart disease...