Causes and treatments for low pulse

March 23, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have a low pulse. What are the causes and the cure?

DEAR READER: The normal heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute when at rest. Lower rates in young people and athletes can be an indication of being physically fit through a training regimen. Other causes of bradycardia (a low pulse) are attributed to coronary-artery disease, hypothyroidism, an electrolyte imbalance, the use of some medications, such as those taken for hypertension, or, rarely, endocarditis or infection.
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10 years of woe for cardiac patient

November 26, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have never seen a column about someone who has a 100 percent blocked artery. I was diagnosed in 2000 after an angiogram as having a right artery that was 100 percent blocked. I was told by the surgeon not to eat more than three eggs a week. I’ve had to find all information on my condition all by myself. I watch my saturated fat and cholesterol intakes and walk 2 miles every other day.

I’ve been to the VA doctors. They say whatever I’m doing, I should keep it up. I have no symptoms, none! When you quit smoking, they have classes and support. When you get cancer, they have classes and support. When you have diabetes, they have classes and support. [Read more...]

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Analyzing blood-pressure numbers

July 2, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My hypertension has been treated for many years with lisinopril 20 miligrams daily and amlodipine 5 milligrams daily. These medications seem to have little effect on my numbers. My systolic readings are in the range of 140 to 165, while my diastolic readings are in the 50s.

I recently came across an article on the topic of isolated systolic hypertension, in which a physician pointed out that this form of hypertension can lead to serious problems — stroke, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and dementia. The doctors and nurses who have taken my blood pressure have universally said that the diastolic reading was not a consideration; however, this report indicated that medications to control systolic hypertension should not be allowed to cause the diastolic pressure to go below 70 mmHg.
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Antibiotics not needed before dental work

February 19, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 69 years old and in fairly good health.

Three years ago my doctor prescribed clindamycin to be taken before dental procedures. I have since switched doctors and now my new doctor says this is not necessary. I am willing to discontinue using the antibiotic but am wondering if 1.) use in the past has any harmful effect and 2.) how do I get the dental staff convinced I don’t need it?

DEAR READER: For many years dentists and physicians have been routinely prescribing one or two doses of antibiotics prior to dental work if the patient has heart disease, stents or deformed heart valves. Recent studies have shown that such antibiotic coverage is not particularly useful in helping patients to avoid heart infections, so antibiotic therapy is now only recognized as appropriate in certain instances. Your doctor can advise you in more detail.
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