EXPERT
Mark Rasak
Cardiologist
<p>Mark Rasak, DO, specializes in providing a full range of services in preventative as well as interventional cardiology. A graduate from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Rasak completed his post-graduate training at Botsford Hospital and his fellowship in interventional cardiology at the University of Michigan Hospital where he also served as Clinical Instructor. Dr. Rasak is affiliated with Botsford, Oakwood, Providence and Sinai-Grace Hospitals.</p>
Mark Rasak
- Iowa
- Accepting new patients
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Are you intubated for cardiac ablation?
It depends on the type of ablation. Make sure you ask the electrophysiologist this question before agreeing to a procedure, especially if you have a "DNR" or do not resuscitate READ MORE
It depends on the type of ablation. Make sure you ask the electrophysiologist this question before agreeing to a procedure, especially if you have a "DNR" or do not resuscitate order. Also, if you have poor lungs or on home oxygen, this is an important question.
Heart beat per minute?
Yes, I would get labs drawn if not done in the recent past and include thyroid levels. Would get an echo and a 5-day Patch Holter. Lastly, would get a sleep study.
Does an echocardiogram show a heart murmur?
If a patient has a murmur, the echo is the test of choice to diagnose it.
I have a question regarding a transplant?
Wow that's an ambitious project. The patient “donating” the organs would need to be on a ventilator and anesthesia used is called general anesthesia. If his son is a child, you READ MORE
Wow that's an ambitious project. The patient “donating” the organs would need to be on a ventilator and anesthesia used is called general anesthesia. If his son is a child, you can't use adult-sized organs as well. As for the timing, it depends on the organ. Hearts can last a few hours and usually less than four is ideal. Pancreatic transplant and livers within 12 hours, kidneys 24 to 48 hours. The better the organs transplanted, the better and the patient’s blood pressure and all the vital signs need to be kept optimized so that the organs don’t die. Good luck with your project.
How to treat this issue?
At your age, coronary artery disease is very unlikely. Other possible heart sources include inflammatory processes like viral pericarditis. Non-cardiac sources such as GERD or READ MORE
At your age, coronary artery disease is very unlikely. Other possible heart sources include inflammatory processes like viral pericarditis. Non-cardiac sources such as GERD or muscle inflammation of the chest wall (costochondritis). Not sure the sleep paralysis is related or a separate issue that needs a sleep study.
Chest pain?
A full history and physical needs to be done. Not sure all of the testing you have had but echo to check your heart structure. 7 day event recorder and Tilt Table should be done. READ MORE
A full history and physical needs to be done. Not sure all of the testing you have had but echo to check your heart structure. 7 day event recorder and Tilt Table should be done. Labs including a glucose Tolerance test. Hormone panel considering your age may be needed depending on your menstrual cycle history
Pericardial infusion?
No, a small pericardial effusion is not uncommon in by no means cancer. It usually indicates inflammation, but if you are asymptomatic, a small pericardial effusion is most likely READ MORE
No, a small pericardial effusion is not uncommon in by no means cancer. It usually indicates inflammation, but if you are asymptomatic, a small pericardial effusion is most likely nothing to worry about. If any concerns exist, laboratory and an echocardiogram would be helpful.
How long do you need antibiotics for endocarditis?
Depends on multiple factors, including if the patient has a valve replacement and what type of valve. It usually requires IV antibiotics and interval blood cultures to monitor READ MORE
Depends on multiple factors, including if the patient has a valve replacement and what type of valve. It usually requires IV antibiotics and interval blood cultures to monitor therapy and determine when the antibiotics can be stopped. It also depends on the organism causing the infection and some are more susceptible to antibiotic therapy. Other more resistant bacteria may require longer courses of therapy.
I need help?
Obviously to be more precise I would need a full history and physical done. My guess is this is not necessarily your heart but could be related to a metabolic issue and perhaps READ MORE
Obviously to be more precise I would need a full history and physical done. My guess is this is not necessarily your heart but could be related to a metabolic issue and perhaps your sugar is falling after eating. It would help to know how soon after you ate you felt the symptoms it would also help to know which foods you’ve been eating in to see if there’s any pattern. We usually will have the patient do a diet diary and see if any particular food groups seem to be problematic. Otherwise avoiding such items simple sugars and caffeine would be advisable. Any diarrhea after eating? Bloating?
Did I have a heart attack 5 months ago?
Doubt heart attack in the typical sense. May have caused minor damage with all of the stimulants and exertion due to supply demand mismatch. Needless to say not a smart thing to READ MORE
Doubt heart attack in the typical sense. May have caused minor damage with all of the stimulants and exertion due to supply demand mismatch. Needless to say not a smart thing to do. An echo of the heart would show any permanent damage.
How do you lower high blood pressure?
Go to your doctor and make sure all secondary causes are evaluated. Need an echo of your heart to see if any hypertensive changes as well as labs and urine analysis. See your eye READ MORE
Go to your doctor and make sure all secondary causes are evaluated. Need an echo of your heart to see if any hypertensive changes as well as labs and urine analysis. See your eye doctor as well. Keep your salt intake under 2000 mg per day. There is a good chance that you are going to need medication as well.
What procedure is used to clear a blocked artery?
There are many ways in order to open a blocked artery. It is done in the cardiac Catheterization laboratory and involves a stent which opens up the artery and props it open. Other READ MORE
There are many ways in order to open a blocked artery. It is done in the cardiac Catheterization laboratory and involves a stent which opens up the artery and props it open. Other devices are a drill as well as laser and ultrasound. All of these are used by a specialized doctor on a basis of the configuration and consistency of the blockage
Where is chest pain located for a heart attack?
Can be anywhere, but classically, it's center of chest and radiates to the left arm or neck. But many patients don’t follow that classic pattern.
Can having diabetes lead to a heart attack?
Yes, it's a major risk factor.
Stabbing chest pain?
If ECG and Echo look fine then nothing to worry about from a cardiac standpoint
Stress test evaluation?
Maybe you meant a carotid Doppler showed a narrow of >70%. A ct scan of your carotids to confirm. If it’s confirmed, then a stent can be placed much like a coronary artery. Safer READ MORE
Maybe you meant a carotid Doppler showed a narrow of >70%. A ct scan of your carotids to confirm. If it’s confirmed, then a stent can be placed much like a coronary artery. Safer than surgery and lasts just as long.
Did I have a stroke?
It’s certainly possible. An MRI of your brain should confirm.
I hear my heart beat loudly in my ear?
Yes you should. You may be having blood pressure spikes. The fast rates may be A-Fib. During the evening hours may be due sleep apnea. An echo, holter and sleep study should be READ MORE
Yes you should. You may be having blood pressure spikes. The fast rates may be A-Fib. During the evening hours may be due sleep apnea. An echo, holter and sleep study should be done. Labs and blood pressure monitoring
Can you tell if you have heart fibrillation by taking your pulse?
Yes usually you can depending on what medication in your condition you would notice a fast pulse rate usually greater than 100 and somewhere around 130 bpm on the average. You READ MORE
Yes usually you can depending on what medication in your condition you would notice a fast pulse rate usually greater than 100 and somewhere around 130 bpm on the average. You would notice an irregular irregular pulse which should also give you a hint that some sort of rhythm disturbance exists.
