Articles & Posts by Douglas Zipes
Give the Gift of Life
My brother-in-law just turned 50 and needs a new heart. We sometimes hear that wealthy people get donor organs quicker than others. Is this true? How long is the usual wait for a new heart?
July 29, 2010 | Read more »
Cardiac Test Basics
Please explain the difference between an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram. What exactly do these tests tell doctors about the heart?
July 29, 2010 | Read more »
Low-Dose Aspirin for Heart Health
What is the latest information about taking daily baby aspirin to help the heart?
July 29, 2010 | Read more »
Heart Defect Often Causes No Symptoms
I had a stroke in 2003, and a diagnostic test showed a “hole” in my heart with no right-to-left shunt. The shunt didn’t show up on a different kind of test in 2009, either.
I came through the stroke fine because I went to the hospital right away and have been on warfarin ever since. My question is: If there’s no shunt, is the hole present?
July 29, 2010 | Read more »
Surgery Corrects Heart Rhythm
Q: How does the Maze treatment for atrial fibrillation work, and what does it involve? A: The Maze procedure is open heart surgery to eliminate rapid heartbeats. It involves making a series of incisions in the top portion of the heart, the atria. In experienced hands, the procedure is successful in more than 90 percent [...]
June 2, 2010 | Read more »
Pacemaker Safety
Q: Is it safe for a person with a pacemaker to play the slot machines at a casino? A: It is safe for your pacemaker—but it may not be safe for your wallet!
June 2, 2010 | Read more »
Heart Scars
Q: One year after a double bypass, doctors said my heart has scarred shut, and I need another surgery. What caused this problem, and what options exist? A: Bypass vessels, particularly when veins are used in contrast to arteries, can clog or narrow (note President Bill Clinton’s recent incident), but it usually occurs years after [...]
June 2, 2010 | Read more »
Help for Hypertension
Q: How many types of drugs can treat high blood pressure? I’ve had it about two years. Any suggestions? A: Doctors commonly prescribe five types of medicines that lower high blood pressure in different ways. In almost all patients, some combination of drugs (usually at least two, and sometimes more) are tolerated and are effective. [...]
June 2, 2010 | Read more »
Pressure Paradox
Q: The systolic (top) blood pressure reading in my right arm runs 12 to 18 points higher than in my left. Results from an EKG and sonogram of my chest, neck, and arms were normal. Any suggestions? A: Blood pressure readings are normally the same in both arms. On occasion, an obstruction in the artery [...]
June 2, 2010 | Read more »
Heart Is Skipping Beats
Q: The medical profession says I have about 10 premature beats per minute. My pulse is in the range
of 50 to 60 beats. Are skipped beats serious or harmless? I have always gotten winded very easily. A: Ten premature beats per minute is a fair amount that can be perfectly harmless. However, we now know [...]
June 2, 2010 | Read more »
