Understanding Heart Palpitations: When to Seek Medical Advice
The heartbeat may suddenly pause for a moment? Hello Doctor, I have been taking antiarrhythmic medication and was once sent to the emergency room because my heart rate exceeded 130 beats per minute. The doctors found that my potassium levels were very low, and I was referred to a...
Dr. Huang Yinghe Reply:
Hello Ms. Wang: The symptoms you described, specifically the sensation of your heart beating rapidly, are known as palpitations. There are many non-disease factors that can cause palpitations, such as lifestyle stress, the use of tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, or even changes in...[Read More] Understanding Heart Palpitations: When to Seek Medical Advice
Can You Take Viagra While on Autonomic Nervous System Medications?
Can I take Viagra while on medication for autonomic nervous system disorders? Due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction causing palpitations, an additional half tablet of a heart rate calming medication has been prescribed. Will taking Viagra affect this? Can I take Viagra whil...
Dr. Wu Xueming Reply:
There are many types of autonomic nervous system medications, some of which can lower blood pressure. When used in combination with Viagra, it is important to monitor blood pressure levels.[Read More] Can You Take Viagra While on Autonomic Nervous System Medications?
Can Elderly Heart Failure Patients Safely Receive COVID-19 Vaccines?
Heart failure Hello Dr. Wu, my 82-year-old grandmother had a stroke this February. The doctor recommended a cardiac stent placement, but she experienced acute heart failure the day after the procedure and was hospitalized for several days. Currently, she is classified as a Stage ...
Dr. Wu Xueming Reply:
Due to your grandmother's advanced age and history of heart failure, it is recommended to have her evaluated by a cardiologist in an outpatient setting. If her current condition is unstable, it is advisable to postpone the vaccination.[Read More] Can Elderly Heart Failure Patients Safely Receive COVID-19 Vaccines?
Vaccination Considerations for Seniors with Chronic Conditions
Three Highs and Vaccine Administration Hello, doctor. A 73-year-old female patient has chronic conditions including E1165 type 2 diabetes with hyperglycemia, E780 pure hypercholesterolemia, J441 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation, I119 hypertensive he...
Dr. Li Han Reply:
Hello, regarding your concerns about COVID-19 vaccination, the chronic comorbidities you mentioned are not contraindications for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (including AstraZeneca). In fact, age and these comorbidities may increase your risk of contracting the virus during the...[Read More] Vaccination Considerations for Seniors with Chronic Conditions
Managing Rapid Heartbeat: When to Seek Emergency Care and Medication Safety
If you are experiencing rapid heartbeat, palpitations, and chest tightness, you may consider taking Inderal (propranolol)? I have been experiencing rapid heartbeat, palpitations, chest tightness, and frequent numbness in my hands, feet, and face lately. I'm not sure what...
Dr. He Dongjin Reply:
Hello, I am experiencing a rapid heartbeat, palpitations, chest tightness, and numbness in my hands, feet, and face. I am worried that these symptoms may be caused by stopping my thyroid medication. Should I quickly resume taking Inderal? Can I take it alongside my current medica...[Read More] Managing Rapid Heartbeat: When to Seek Emergency Care and Medication Safety
Is It Safe for Heart Patients to Get the COVID Vaccine?
Am I suitable for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in my situation? Dear Director He, Thank you for your response last year regarding the issue of myocardial bridge and medication. However, at the beginning of this year, I experienced cardiac arrhythmia with rapid heartbeats and w...
Dr. He Dongjin Reply:
Hello, there is no causal relationship between myocardial bridge and atrial fibrillation. Long-term use of certain medications may have adverse effects on the thyroid and lungs, which can vary from person to person. Generally, long-term use is considered to be over a year. Engagi...[Read More] Is It Safe for Heart Patients to Get the COVID Vaccine?
Understanding Heart Failure: Concerns and Questions for Patients
Confusion about Heart Failure My father, who is 81 years old, has been suffering from diabetes for nearly forty years. For the past ten years, he has been taking cardiovascular medications (Berkley) due to shortness of breath while walking. Two years ago, he started taking (Kanki...
Dr. Li Han Reply:
Hello, regarding your inquiry, to be honest, it is still quite difficult to answer... I suggest discussing your concerns directly with your father's attending physician and presenting your questions in a clear, bullet-point format. They may be able to provide you with more p...[Read More] Understanding Heart Failure: Concerns and Questions for Patients
Post-AZ Vaccine: Concerns About Chest Pain and Blood Clots
After receiving the AZ vaccine? Hello, Doctor He. I received my first dose of the AZ vaccine on June 5, 2021, and experienced fever and body aches afterward. Since then, I have had some mild shortness of breath and chest pain. I am currently taking medication for diabetes and hav...
Dr. He Dongjin Reply:
Hello, please visit the hematology department. You should continue using your asthma medications and inhalers. Changhua Hospital cares about you.[Read More] Post-AZ Vaccine: Concerns About Chest Pain and Blood Clots
Should My 81-Year-Old Grandfather with Heart Issues Get the AZ Vaccine?
Should I get the AZ vaccine? A dilemma? My grandfather is 81 years old and has been suffering from diabetes for nearly forty years. For the past ten years, he has been taking medication for cardiovascular diseases. In March of this year, due to severe blockage and calcification o...
Dr. He Dongjin Reply:
Hello, any medical intervention carries risks. If your grandfather is frail and has not been going out, and you have had minimal contact with the outside world, you might consider delaying the vaccination. Otherwise, the benefits generally outweigh the risks. Each individual'...[Read More] Should My 81-Year-Old Grandfather with Heart Issues Get the AZ Vaccine?
Should My 81-Year-Old Father Get the AZ Vaccine? A Heart Health Dilemma
Receiving the AZ vaccine feels like a difficult choice, almost like a death sentence vaccine? My father, who is 81 years old, has been suffering from diabetes for nearly forty years. For the past ten years, he has been taking cardiovascular medications (Berkley) due to shortness ...
Dr. Li Han Reply:
Hello, regarding your concerns about COVID-19 vaccination, it is honestly difficult to provide a definitive answer. Based on your father's medication, 1. The concurrent use of antiplatelet agents (such as Clopidogrel) and anticoagulants (such as Apixaban) suggests that, in a...[Read More] Should My 81-Year-Old Father Get the AZ Vaccine? A Heart Health Dilemma
Post-Stent Care: Can B Vitamins and Iron Supplements Be Safe?
Questions regarding anticoagulant medications and supplements after stent placement, thank you? Dear Dr. Wu, I would like to inquire whether it is safe for my mother to take a B-complex vitamin along with iron as a dietary supplement after her coronary artery stenting procedure,...
Dr. Wu Xueming Reply:
The supplementation of vitamins and other nutrients can refer to the daily recommended intake provided by the National Health Administration, and there is no direct relationship between this supplementation and the blockage of coronary artery stents.[Read More] Post-Stent Care: Can B Vitamins and Iron Supplements Be Safe?
Should My 81-Year-Old Grandfather with Heart Issues Get the AZ Vaccine?
Should I get the AstraZeneca vaccine or not? My grandfather is 81 years old and has been suffering from diabetes for nearly forty years. For the past ten years, he has been taking medications for cardiovascular diseases. In March of this year, due to severe blockage and calcifica...
Dr. He Dongjin Reply:
Hello, in principle, the benefits of receiving the AZ vaccine outweigh the risks for older adults, many of whom have chronic diseases. As long as their condition is stable, with minimal fluctuations in blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels, and without symptoms such ...[Read More] Should My 81-Year-Old Grandfather with Heart Issues Get the AZ Vaccine?
Vaccination Risks for Elderly with Chronic Conditions: Key Considerations
Issues with administering the AstraZeneca vaccine to the elderly? Hello, doctor. We have two elderly individuals who are expected to receive vaccinations soon. I would like to ask: 1. Does having certain chronic diseases increase the risk associated with vaccination? Are they sui...
Dr. Wu Xueming Reply:
These chronic medications do not need to be discontinued due to vaccination.[Read More] Vaccination Risks for Elderly with Chronic Conditions: Key Considerations
Assessing Vaccine Risks for Seniors with Cardiovascular Issues
Cardiovascular and Vaccination Issues Hello, an elderly family member (81-year-old male) is scheduled to receive the AZ vaccine soon. I called to inquire about any chronic illnesses and learned that he has been experiencing upper back pain and heart discomfort for the past 2-3 ye...
Dr. Li Han Reply:
Hello, elderly individuals and patients with potential cardiovascular diseases or chronic respiratory diseases are considered high-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The risks associated with contracting the virus (including thromboembolic events) far exceed the thrombotic...[Read More] Assessing Vaccine Risks for Seniors with Cardiovascular Issues
Understanding Heart Palpitations and Valve Issues: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Rapid heartbeat, chest tightness or pain, feeling shaky, weakness in the legs, speaking with a lack of breath, and increased irritability? According to the doctor's diagnosis, there are symptoms of mitral and tricuspid valve prolapse with regurgitation, as well as coronary a...
Dr. He Dongjin Reply:
Hello, if you have asthma, it is safer not to take Inderal, as it is not recommended for symptoms that resemble arrhythmia but are more likely caused by autonomic nervous system dysregulation. Generally, heart medications are not advised for such cases. It is important to treat t...[Read More] Understanding Heart Palpitations and Valve Issues: Symptoms and Treatment Options
Understanding Anxiety and Panic: Heart Symptoms Explained
Chest tightness and left arm numbness - anxiety and panic? Hello Doctor, I am Xiao Jie. I previously inquired about my chest tightness. I have seen many cardiologists who said there was nothing wrong, so I went to see a psychiatrist. After describing my physical symptoms, he sugg...
Dr. He Dongjin Reply:
Hello, the medication has significantly improved your condition, so don't overthink it. It's a typical symptom, and there's no need to schedule more tests that might just scare you. It's best to minimize visits to the hospital during this time. Continue taking...[Read More] Understanding Anxiety and Panic: Heart Symptoms Explained
Understanding the Impact of Evista on Triglyceride Levels in Elderly Patients
Lipid disorders Dear Dr. He, My mother is 84 years old and has a history of hyperlipidemia. She has been taking the statin medication, Mevacor (lovastatin), for many years, and her triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels have been reasonably controlled. In 2018, her...
Dr. He Dongjin Reply:
Hello, it is not uncommon for older individuals to take multiple medications, which can lead to potential drug interactions. It is important to prioritize based on the severity of the issues at hand. If the current concern is severe osteoporosis, it should be addressed first, whi...[Read More] Understanding the Impact of Evista on Triglyceride Levels in Elderly Patients
Exploring the Connection Between Premature Contractions and Acid Reflux
Premature contractions and their association with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? Hello Director Wu, I have organized my questions for easier narration and reading: 1. I have undergone myocardial perfusion imaging and echocardiography in the cardiology department, both o...
Dr. Wu Xueming Reply:
Many factors in daily life can contribute to this condition, such as emotions, stress, irregular sleep patterns, or excessive intake of caffeinated beverages. It is recommended to adjust your lifestyle and engage in regular exercise. For gastroesophageal reflux, it is advisable t...[Read More] Exploring the Connection Between Premature Contractions and Acid Reflux
Understanding Atherosclerosis: Its Impact on Cardiovascular Health and Sexual Function
Chest X-ray, diagnosis of aortic atherosclerosis? I have been visiting the cardiology outpatient clinic for four to five years, with regular check-ups every three months. I have been taking medications such as Concor, Lipitor, and Ezetimibe. The blood test results from both the h...
Dr. Wu Xueming Reply:
1. Atherosclerosis is a general term for vascular hardening; further examinations are needed to determine the presence of cardiovascular disease. 2. Certain cardiac medications, such as beta-blockers, may indeed affect sexual function; it is advisable to discuss switching to al...[Read More] Understanding Atherosclerosis: Its Impact on Cardiovascular Health and Sexual Function
Understanding Exercise ECG: Addressing Heart Concerns and Anxiety
Exercise Electrocardiogram (Exercise ECG) Hello, doctor. I'm sorry to bother you again. I'm still feeling a bit uneasy, so I went for an exercise electrocardiogram and a cardiac ultrasound. This time I went to the Veterans General Hospital, making it four major hospital...
Dr. He Dongjin Reply:
Hello, it seems that you are experiencing symptoms similar to panic disorder. I recommend that you consult a psychiatrist and consider medication. The doctors you have seen at four medical centers have indicated that there is nothing wrong, so please try not to scare yourself fur...[Read More] Understanding Exercise ECG: Addressing Heart Concerns and Anxiety