Articles & Posts by Douglas Zipes
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 »
Heart Attack Risk
Q: I have angina, and some of my arteries are blocked. What are my chances of having a heart attack, and can a prescription drug like Imdur control chest pain? A: Severe blockages in coronary arteries can certainly cause a heart attack. Often, such blockages can be propped open with stents, which can relieve the [...]
March 1, 2010 | Read more »
Get Second Opinion About Surgery
Q: I have three leaky valves, and the heart doctor said knee surgery would be risky. Should I get a second opinion? A: It is always a good idea to get another opinion, especially when
it comes to surgery. After all, it is
your body, and you want to be sure the decisions made are [...]
March 1, 2010 | Read more »
Questions (and Answers) About Blood Thinners and Defibrillators
Q: What can you tell me about dabigatran, a new blood thinner that is in the news? A: Unlike warfarin, a blood thinner used for decades that is regulated by blood tests, the experimental drug dabigatran prevents blood clots with a fixed dose that is taken twice daily. The FDA approval of dabigatran, the first [...]
March 1, 2010 | Read more »
Causes of High Blood Pressure
Q: All the results of my husband’s many heart tests are normal. Why does he have high blood pressure? A: Your husband isn’t alone—most people with high blood pressure have “essential” hypertension, which means that there is no identifiable cause for it. One promising experimental therapy involves threading a catheter into the artery that provides [...]
March 1, 2010 | Read more »
High BP in A.M.
My blood pressure is high in the morning. What causes this? When you are at rest in a warm bed, arteries dilate and blood pressure tends to be low. When you stand up, your body elevates blood pressure to be sure your brain is perfused so you don’t black out. Getting out of bed in [...]
January 2, 2010 | Read more »
Two Views on Calcium Deposits in Heart
I have a leaky mitral valve and calcium deposits in my heart. One surgeon said: “We leave calcium deposits alone.” Another one said: “We always remove them.” Both doctors are world-class. Why would they have different opinions? Both of your doctors could be right. It depends on where the calcium is, how much is there, [...]
January 2, 2010 | Read more »
Burning Pain in Arms
Q: I used to have terrific burning pain in my arms when walking. Since having stents and open-heart surgery, the arm pain continues, but is less severe. What causes it? I’m scheduled for another stress test. A: Skeletal muscles in your arms and legs need oxygen and can produce pain if they do not get [...]
October 22, 2009 | Read more »
Atrial Fibrillation Stops on Its Own
Q: After having atrial fibrillation (AF) for nine years, I woke up one morning and my heartbeat was normal. An EKG showed no problem, not even a skip. Does this happen very often? To me, it was a miracle. A: What you describe is not common, though it unquestionably happens. Unfortunately, atrial fibrillation generally recurs [...]
October 22, 2009 | Read more »
