Linda Martinez

Ventricular fibrillation is treated by applying an electric shock to the chest externally or directly to the heart internally so that the electric current that runs through the cells of the heart can be reset and the normal pacemaker of the heart can take over. Electric current can be applied directly

High blood pressure is not a common side effect from gabapentin. However, if a patient is abruptly withdrawn from gabapentin and they are using it to control nerve pain, the pain can abruptly return. Severe pain in and of itself can drive up blood pressure.

Most physicians, such as general family practitioners and internists, can treat high blood pressure. If blood pressure is difficult to control and associated with other problems such as heart disease or kidney disease, a patient can be sent to a cardiologist (heart doctor) or nephrologist (kidney

Aspirin is always given when someone has a heart artery stent placement and many of the stents used are called "drug-eluting" stents and these stents also require the use of more powerful anti-platelet drugs e.g. clopidogrel for at least a year. Patient may also be placed on beta blockers and lipid

Aspirin is given to prevent further heart attacks or extension of the present heart attack. It prevents blood clots from forming in diseased blood vessels. The next line medication is the beta blockers. The beta blockers do several things. They reduce the work of the heart by lowering heart rate and blood

Yes. Aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin) work in different ways on the clotting cascade. Warfarin makes the blood take longer to clot, but the blood will still clot. When someone is having a heart attack, it means they are most likely clotting off an artery that supplies the heart muscle with blood.

Fast food in general tends to be high in fat and that is why when someone has the disease that causes heart attacks they are told to avoid fast food. The disease is called atherosclerosis. It is a buildup of fatty deposits in the lining of the arteries including heart arteries. These deposits calcify,

Yes. Any patient who has heart disease should get a flu shot every year. The heart and lungs work closely together. If a person gets the flu, it can put a strain on the heart as well.

Stents are generally used in arteries to help keep them open after balloon angioplasty. They act as support to the artery. After a period of time, the body lays down a layer of cells called endothelial cells and incorporates the stent into the artery. Examples of arteries where stents are used are

Yes, beta blockers are commonly used in critically ill heart patients. Patients who have had a heart attack usually get beta blockers to reduce the work of the heart by slowing the heart beat down and lowering blood pressure. They have been also shown to reduce the chance for rhythm disturbances.