Below please find answers to some frequently asked questions. This FAQ page is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as a replacement for medical advice, professional services, or any recommendations by your healthcare provider. Questions concerning you, your procedures, or any other relevant matters can be addressed in an appointment or can be directed to 713.541.0000.

General Questions:

1. Question: Where are you located?

2. Question: What are your office hours?

3. Question: Are you accepting new patients?

4. Question: Do I need to be referred by my family doctor or another referring physician?

5. Question: How do I schedule an appointment with you?

6. Question: Is it okay if I bring a close friend or family member along with me?

7. Question: My family physician has referred me to your practice. Will he or she still be part of my treatment team?

8. Question: If I’m having a heart-related problem, whom should I call, you or my primary care physician?

9. Question: Will you refill all my medications?

Medical Questions:

1. Question: Can I take Viagra?

2. Question: Why does my dentist want to know if I need antibiotics before dental work?

3. Question: Can I use the little nitroglycerin pills under my tongue if I am using the nitroglycerin patch?

4. Question: If I have chest pain, how many nitroglycerine pills may I take at once?

5. Question: Why do people with congestive heart failure (CHF) have to weigh themselves every day?

Procedure Questions:

1. Question: Why can’t I eat or drink for six hours before my stress test?

2. Question: I’m having an exercise stress test. What should I wear?

3. Question: How do I prepare for a nuclear stress test?

4. Question: What is a heart catheterization and why do I need one?

5. Question: Is the dye used in nuclear stress tests the same as the dye used in heart catheterizations?

6. Question: What is an angioplasty or coronary intervention?

7. Question: What is a stent?

8. Question: How do I prepare for a heart catheterization?

9. Question: Is it normal for there to be some bruising at the site of my heart cath?

Billing and Payment Questions:

1. Question: What insurance carriers are you participating with?

2. Question: I do not have insurance! What can I do?

3. Question: I have a balance. How do I pay it?

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General Questions:

1. Question: Where are you located?
Answer: We are located at 7777 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas in Suite #544 in Medical Office Building #1. Please call us if you have any specific questions concerning our location or how to reach our office.

2. Question: What are your office hours?
Answer: We are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

3. Question: Are you accepting new patients?
Answer: Yes and we encourage you to make an appointment if you feel that our services are applicable to your situation or if you have been referred to us.

4. Question: Do I need to be referred by my family doctor or another referring physician?
Answer: Not unless your insurance carrier requires a written referral to see a specialist.

5. Question: How do I schedule an appointment with you?
Answer: You can use the “Request an Appointment” button on this website or you can call us at our office at 713.541.0000 during normal business hours. We look forward to seeing you.

6. Question: Is it okay if I bring a close friend or family member along with me?
Answer: Most definitely and, in fact, we welcome the opportunity to answer any questions or concerns your family may have about your health.

7. Question: My family physician has referred me to your practice. Will he or she still be part of my treatment team?
Answer: Absolutely. Our role is not to replace your primary care physician (PCP), but to serve as a highly specialized extension of his or her care. Your primary care physician will be updated and consulted regarding your diagnosis and treatment so that you can receive the best possible care.

8. Question: If I’m having a heart-related problem, whom should I call, you or my primary care physician?
Answer: If your problem is urgent or if you think you could be having a heart attack, seek emergency help immediately by dialing 911. If you have a question related to your cardiac condition, feel free to call our offices. General non-cardiac health questions should be directed to your primary care physician.

9. Question: Will you refill all my medications?
Answer: We prefer to refill only those medications having to do with your heart. Medications for conditions such as elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, blood thinners, or other medications which we prescribe will also be refilled. Medications having to do with other conditions which have been prescribed by your primary care doctor should be refilled by that doctor.

Medical Questions:

1. Question: Can I take Viagra?
Answer: Viagra is a medication that also causes a drop in the patient's blood pressure. It is important for patients to ask on an individual basis whether it is a medication that they can safely take with their other medications. You may not take Viagra if you are taking any nitrate preparations such as isosorbide, nitroglycerine, a nitroglycerine patch, etc. If you are already on a medication such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis, please inform all of your healthcare providers and your pharmacist so that the proper precautions may be taken to ensure your health and safety.

2. Question: Why does my dentist want to know if I need antibiotics before dental work?
Answer: Patients who have valvular heart disease or have had a valve replaced are at increased risk for infection of the heart valve. Any manipulation of the gums may cause release of bacteria into the blood stream and set up the risk for infection.

3. Question: Can I use the little nitroglycerin pills under my tongue if I am using the nitroglycerin patch?
Answer: Yes, you may use nitro pills under your tongue for chest pain if you are wearing a nitro-patch. The pills are fast acting and rapidly dilate your blood vessels to allow more blood to pass through the vessel. Nitro-patches are long acting and do not cause the rapid dilation needed for relief of chest pain.

4. Question: If I have chest pain, how many nitroglycerine pills may I take at once?
Answer: Nitroglycerine tablets under the tongue are usually taken, one tablet, every five minutes up to a total of three tablets. If the patient is still having chest pain, they are instructed to take the fourth tablet and immediately either call 911 or be transported to the nearest emergency room.

5. Question: Why do people with congestive heart failure (CHF) have to weigh themselves every day?
Answer: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart muscle is weak and cannot pump effectively. If the heart is not able to keep up with the amount of fluid it has to pump, the fluid will escape into the tissue causing swelling. The earliest sign that this is occurring is weight gain because of the extra fluid.

Procedure Questions:

1. Question: Why can’t I eat or drink for six hours before my stress test?
Answer: One of our biggest concerns with consuming food or water before an exercise stress test is vomiting. In addition, patients with reflux or GERD occasionally experience heartburn or chest pain during an exercise stress test when eating food before a test. The other concern is that during a nuclear stress test study the imaging agent goes to working muscles in the body; if the patient has been eating, the imaging agent will go to the stomach instead of the heart muscle.

2. Question: I’m having an exercise stress test. What should I wear?
Answer: Patients having an exercise stress test should bring or wear comfortable clothing such as shorts or sweatpants, and rubber soled shoes or sneakers, as they will likely work up a sweat during the test. The test is designed to accelerate your heartbeat and evaluate your cardiac status.

3. Question: How do I prepare for a nuclear stress test?
Answer: Patients should be fasting for six hours prior to the test. Patients should also be free of caffeine of any type for 24 hours prior to testing. This includes coffee, tea, chocolate, white chocolate, aspirin compounds that contain caffeine, decaffeinated coffee or tea and other sodas which also contain caffeine. Patients who are taking medications for lung problems, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure and Persantine may need to alter their medications. More specific instructions should be given to patients when the test is scheduled.

4. Question: What is a heart catheterization and why do I need one?
Answer: A heart catheterization - otherwise known as heart cath, coronary angiogram or coronary arteriograms - is an invasive test to identify blockages in the coronary arteries or valvular heart disease. This information enables your cardiologist to appropriately treat you either with invasive therapy or with medications.

5. Question: Is the dye used in nuclear stress tests the same as the dye used in heart catheterizations?
Answer: The dye used in nuclear stress tests is not the same as the dye used for heart catheterizations. The dye used for nuclear testing is a solution of salt water and a nuclear isotope. It is very unusual for patients to be allergic to this substance.

6. Question: What is an angioplasty or coronary intervention?
Answer: Angioplasty or coronary intervention involves opening a blockage in your coronary artery either with a balloon or some other device. Usually a stent is placed after the angioplasty.

7. Question: What is a stent?
Answer: A stent is a circular spring-like device. It is placed inside a blockage after a balloon procedure to prevent the blockage from collapsing and blocking the artery again.

8. Question: How do I prepare for a heart catheterization?
Answer: Patients having heart catheterization are asked to fast from midnight the night before their test. Your usual morning medications can be taken, however, we ask that you do not take any medication for diabetes that morning. If you are on insulin, then check with your doctor to adjust dosing. If you take Coumadin, you need to also discuss this with your physician on how to discontinue this prior to your procedure. If you are on Metformin or any preparation that has Metformin, then this needs to be discontinued for the two days prior to your procedure and on the day of your procedure. If you are allergic to iodine, lobster, shrimp, or any shellfish be sure to let your physician know as the "dye" used in the catheterization does contain iodine. Depending on the type of reaction, you may be asked to take additional medications to block this reaction. Please bring your medications with you when you come for your cath. Following the procedure you will be instructed about what medicine to take and when to start taking them.

9. Question: Is it normal for there to be some bruising at the site of my heart cath?
Answer: It is not uncommon for patients to notice a small amount of bruising at the catheter insertion site. The catheter enters an artery where the pressure is high and there is always a small amount of blood that escapes into the tissue. If there is a large, painful area around the insertion site that worsens or becomes more painful with time, notify your cardiologist.

Billing and Payment Questions:

1. Question: What insurance carriers are you participating with?
Answer: We are contracted with most insurance carriers. If you would like to confirm whether we participate with your carrier or are unsure, please call our office at 713.541.0000 and ask to speak with someone in the billing department.

2. Question: I do not have insurance! What can I do?
Answer: We have set self-pay fees for office visits and procedures. We feel that everyone who needs to see a cardiologist should have that opportunity so please contact us to discuss your options.

3. Question: I have a balance. How do I pay it?
Answer: Please call us during normal business hours and we would be happy to accept your payment! We accept all major credit cards, cash, and personal checks.