An Advance health care directive, also known as living will, personal directive, advance directive, or advance decision, are instructions given by individuals specifying what actions should be taken for their health in the event that they are no longer able to make decisions due to illness or incapacity, and appoints a named person to make such decisions on their behalf. A living will is one form of advance directive, leaving instructions for treatment. Another form authorizes a specific type of power of attorney or health care proxy, where someone is appointed by the individual to make decisions on their behalf when they are incapacitated. If you have any of these documents please provide our office with a copy so we can treat you appropriately. If you are interested in receiving information regarding Advanced Directives, please ask and we will be happy to provide you with a packet.
A cardiac CT scan for coronary calcium is a non-invasive way of obtaining information about the presence, location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries—the vessels that supply oxygen-containing blood to the heart muscle. Calcified plaque results when there is a build-up of fat and other substances under the inner layer of the artery. This material can calcify which signals the presence of atherosclerosis, a disease of the vessel wall, also called coronary artery disease (CAD).
In preparation for your exam, we ask that you refrain from caffeine and smoking 4 hrs prior to your exam to avoid an increase in heart rate. It is very important to keep your heart rate below 90bpm during the scan. If your heart rate exceeds 90bpm, it may be necessary to use medication to bring it down. You may also be asked to change into a gown and/or remove any jewelry, metal, buttons, ect. to avoid interference with the calcium scoring.
The "Calcium Score" ranges between 0 (indicating no calcified plaque) and 400+ (indicating extensive calcified plaque). A Calcium Score may help your physician determine your likely hood for having a heart attack; however, additional testing may be required.
The Acupuncture Clinic brings together the best of Eastern and Western forms of medicine, facilitating its integration into a more traditional Western practice. The physician has received comprehensive training in acupuncture for six months through the Office of Continuing Medical Education (CME) at the UCLA School of Medicine, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for CME. Dr. Chinwah has been practicing acupuncture for over seven years.
Problems that respond especially well to acupuncture include those affecting the musculoskeletal system, as well as the digestive, respiratory, and genito-urinary systems. Acupuncture can help with smoking cessation, weight reduction and pain management.