About: Dr. Zipes

Dr. Douglas P. Zipes, cardiology consultant and contributing editor, is an authority on pacing and electrophysiology (rhythms of the heart).

Posts by Dr. Zipes:

It’s a Balancing Act

Dear Dr. Zipes: I have an implanted defibrillator for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. My blood pressure is under control. In November, 2007 I had a stroke. After... More

Exercise is the Best Rx

Dear Dr. Zipes: I have PVCs that are controlled by a beta blocker (Toprol ER). I see the electrophysiologist annually, work out to stay in... More

Heart Arrhythmias

Dear Dr. Zipes: In a prior response, you explained that caffeine, alcohol, energy drinks, and sometimes swallowing, coughing, or an upset stomach may cause irregular... More

Biological vs. Mechanical Heart Valves

To Mary in Wyoming: Porcine heart valves (made from pig hearts) have been used to replace narrowed and/or leaking human aortic and mitral valves since... More

Extra Heart Beats (PVCs)

To Carol in Florida: Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are extra heart beats coming early from the bottom chambers of the heart, the ventricles. In people... More

Pacemaker Safety

To Eloise in Colorado: There is no known risk to your pacemaker or you when using a heating pad that is in good working condition... More

Best to Check

To Nancy in Michigan: Blood pressure can vary, and it would be just a guess for me to know why it went up when you... More

Peripheral Artery Disease

I am nearly recovered from a mild stroke that my medical reports say was due to peripheral artery disease (PAD). I changed my diet, had... More

Review the Options

A cardiac catheterization revealed that one artery is blocked and two others are partially closed. I was told that nothing could be done because of... More

Rid Audible Heartbeat

Regarding the lady who could hear her heartbeat in her ear upon reclining: I know exactly what she means, and it’s nasty! Lucky for me,... More

Ablation Helps Flutter, Too

I had ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node in 2001 that apparently took care of my atrial fibrillation but left me with heart flutter. When... More

Artificial Heart Valves

How long are porcine aortic valves expected to last? I’m going to subscribe to the magazine because of your answers. Thank you. I am glad... More

Statins and Heart Health

I’ve read people with heart problems should not use statin drugs. I’m diabetic and on my second pacemaker. Our medical insurance is suggesting that I... More

Systolic Hypertension

I’m diabetic and have systolic hypertension. My blood pressure runs 115/120 in the morning and 120/170 in the evening. I’ve included a list of the... More

Neighborhood Heart Watch: Remembering Maggie

Pat O’Malley never thought her athletic 17-year-old daughter would die from sudden cardiac arrest. In fact, she didn’t recognize that Maggie’s life was in danger... More

Heart Weak But Stable

In 2000, a cardiologist said that I needed a heart transplant due to heart failure. My left ventricle ejection fraction was about 20 percent. I... More