Tag Archives: dr zipes

Convoluted Heart Vessels

Convoluted Heart Vessels

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My heart catheterization was normal, other than “very tortuous cardiac vessels.” Are you aware of studies showing the cause or consequence of my cardiac vessel condition? Should my offspring or “grands” be tested, and can it be detected without a cardiac cath? Tortuous coronary arteries are usually a normal variant of no concern. Sometimes they ... More
Second Ablations Often Succeed

Second Ablations Often Succeed

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In 2001, I suddenly had a short in the electrical system of my heart, and this threw me into A-fib. I have had an ablation with a 67 percent cure, and am taking digoxin, Sotalol, and Cartia XT. Why do they say a second ablation usually has an 80 percent or better cure? I am ... More
Rapid Heartbeat Problem May Be Curable

Rapid Heartbeat Problem May Be Curable

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Q: How serious is SVT? I have had it for 45 years and am now taking verapamil. For years I took Lanoxin. I see a cardiologist once a year. What advice can you give me to remain in stable condition? A: Leading cardiologist Dr. Douglas Zipes replies: Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a general term indicating ... More
Hearing Heartbeat in Ears

Hearing Heartbeat in Ears

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I hear my heart beating in my right ear like a reader reported in the May/June 2008 issue. An ENT doctor diagnosed my condition as tinnitus due to the closeness of the carotid artery to the ear. Perhaps this could be a consideration for that reader. My question: Would you suggest I see a heart ... More
Pacemaker Safety

Pacemaker Safety

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Two questions, if you please. I have an Adapta DR pacemaker. May I use an electric adjustable bed with optional head and foot massage? And, will the pulsations of a bath spa harm the pacemaker and a human valve replacement? Thank you kindly. These are excellent questions to also discuss with the doctor who implanted ... More
Hallucinations and Heart Surgery

Hallucinations and Heart Surgery

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I had coronary bypass surgery late last year and recently have been having visual hallucinations. Can coronary surgery cause this problem? I have not yet consulted my cardiologist about it and would appreciate your opinion. Changes in mentation (mental activity) can occur in a minority of patients after coronary artery bypass surgery. The reason(s) for ... More
Leg Swelling

Leg Swelling

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I was born with a heart murmur, and it has never really bothered me. At age 76, my family doctor heard the heart skip and referred me to a cardiologist who suggested a cardioversion to give me more pep. It went well. Five hours later, however, my legs began to swell, and it turned into ... More
IMT Scan vs. Other Factors

IMT Scan vs. Other Factors

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I am active and healthy. Given my family history of heart disease, an IMT scan was recently done. Results include IMT .931 and vascular age 85 (I am 69). Both sides contain plaque. Consequently, my physician has urged me to begin a statin. I am trying to gather information related to using a statin. Any ... More
Dodging DNA Destiny

Dodging DNA Destiny

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After reading your articles in The Saturday Evening Post, I felt compelled to send you a question about diastolic dysfunction. I’m interested in knowing if a genetic marker has been identified and if a test is available. I have high blood pressure and a strong paternal family history of heart disease. Otherwise, I’m a relatively ... More
Heart Valves, Leg Pain, and Exercise

Heart Valves, Leg Pain, and Exercise

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In 2004 I had heart failure and surgery to replace a valve and arteries. Will the valve last forever? I am 70 years old. My legs pain a lot when I’m walking on an incline but not when on level ground. I feel sluggish and wonder if it is from heart problems or medicines. How ... More
Thinning Blood and Coumadin

Thinning Blood and Coumadin

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I was recently hospitalized because my blood was dangerously thin. I was taking Coumadin as prescribed by my doctor. I would appreciate any information and also want to know if Bufferin or aspirin do thin the blood. Coumadin (trade name warfarin) “thins” the blood by interfering with its normal clotting processes. This action is important ... More
Question (and Answer) About Extra Heartbeats

Question (and Answer) About Extra Heartbeats

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Q: I am an 83-year-old great-grandmother and was diagnosed with benign premature ventricular contractions 40 years ago. I’ve been asymptomatic all these years. My question is this: Have you encountered this particular arrhythmia in your study of electrophysiology? A: Leading cardiologist Dr. Douglas Zipes replies: Premature ventricular contractions are extra heartbeats coming from the bottom ... More
Foods Affect the Heart

Foods Affect the Heart

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Have any studies shown that certain foods might contribute to irregular heart rhythms? My doctor told me to avoid all sources of caffeine, and that helped to reduce my “missed” beats. Over the years, I have noticed that several foods seem to cause an increase in my irregular heartbeats. Fresh apples, of all things, appear ... More
Defibrillation Breakthroughs

Defibrillation Breakthroughs

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Neighborhood Heart Watch, the brainchild of Dr. Douglas Zipes, is a grassroots initiative to place AEDs where most heart emergencies occur—in homes and neighborhoods. We bring you the latest defibrillation programs and technology. Stayin’ Alive A 1970s disco song popularized by the film Saturday Night Fever may help Good Samaritans keep the beat when performing ... More
Heart Test May Explain Shaky Feeling

Heart Test May Explain Shaky Feeling

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Dear Dr. SerVaas, I have leakage in my heart and thickening of the heart wall. Lately I will awaken three or more times at night and feel like the inside of my body is shaking, although it is not visible. The shaking lasts for 10 to 30 seconds. My pulse is normal, and I had ... More
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