Locations
Cardiovascular Associates of Mesa
Mesa, AZ
About
Bio
I was raised in the Chicago suburbs then went to college at Washington University in St. Louis, where I majored in biochemistry. I went to medical school in Dallas, then trained at Duke and Emory. I have been in practice in Mesa since 1995. I am married and have four children. In my spare time outside of work, I enjoy coaching my children in sports, going to the movies, and traveling. I am very interested in the political process, as well. My greatest accomplishments have been my family and establishing electrophysiology as an entity in the East Valley.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Cardiology
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
87 Answers
69 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Probably not thyroid: The elevated rate could be due to physical stress, blood loss, infection, or other causes. Simple lab tests should be helpful in sorting this out.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 67-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Heart attack?: Abnormal wall motion suggests that a heart attack took place. That may be confirmed with a nuclear stress test or a cardiac catheterization. Afterwa... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Possibly abnormal: The qt prolongation coupled with the nonspecific t wave changes is abnormal and concerning. This may be an indicator of a condition called long qt syn... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
It may.: Sometimes, medication may take longer to work based upon absorption or delayed onset.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Premature beats: Often premature beats may cause a fluttering in the chest. They may also cause a skipping sensation. If the upper chambers of the heart contract after... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Disease vs. result: Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes weak without obvious cause. Some cases are genetic some may have b... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Motor control center: It is an area in the deeper brain tissue involved in motor control. A stroke in these deeper areas is usually related to hypertension. Sometimes it ma... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Population effect: There are a variety of issues. For one, cardiovascular disease affects women as much as men, but women are not evalueated as aggressively. Minorities,... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
It depends: If you are on an anticoagulant such as Coumadin (warfarin) for treatment of atrial fibrillation, that would be too low. The reading should be between ... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Yes, there are none: Ablation has been around since the late 1980s. Thousands of patients have been treated for a variety of differrent rhythm problems with this technique... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Normal veins: It is not uncommon for veins in the neck to stand out when you increase pressure in your chest. This can occur when you cough, laugh, or bear down. Ne... Read More
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
None, really: Coughing is related to having fluid in the lungs. It is not going to respond to a cough suppressant or expectorant. It responds to diuretics, which he... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Not uncommon: This may be due to elimination of medication, enhanced awareness of the heartbeat, extra beats which used to be the triggers for tachycardia, or perha... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Several others: There are two new anticoagulants on the market for prevention of stroke in the setting of atrial fibrillation, trade-named Pradaxa and xarelto. There ... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Other tests: You may be a candidate for an implantable loop recorder. This is a little metal box as big as your little finger implanted under the skin in the chest... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Multiple side effect: Low blood pressure can result in dizziness or can cause someone to pass out. It also may cause decreased kidney function and other organ dysfunction d... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Invasive/noninvasive: Both coronary bypass surgery and eecp are used to treat patients with coronary artery disease and angina. Typically, bypass is for patients who have m... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Other antianginals: Nitroglycerin is used to treat angina, or pain related to lack of oxygen to heart muscle. Other medications include beta blockers, calcium channel blo... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Mild to serious: This depends in large part on what exactly is being ablated. Ablation in the right heart is usually a lower risk than in the left heart due to risks o... Read More
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Electrocardiogram: The conduction system is evaluated by an ecg. The bundle branch blocks are apparent on the ECG tracing. Significance needs to be evaluated with other... Read More
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Meds and lifestyle: Both medication and lifestyle modification is important. There are many different types of blood pressure medications which work in a variety of ways.... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Two types.: The types of myocardial infarctions are broadly characterized as transmural or subendocardial. Transmural infarctions are caused by complete occlusion... Read More
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Significant symptoms: Patients need to have experienced recurrent neurologic events despite warfarin anticoagulation or have a significant shunt causing heart failure sympt... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
No: It increases cardiac contractility and may cause vessels to dilate.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Yes: Aspirin may reduce the risk for heart attacks, strokes, and certain types of cancer.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Not typically: It is unusual for valve damage to occur in the setting of catheter ablation. Damage could occur due to puncture of a valve leaflet or related to exten... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
No: Virtually no one is allergic to a pacemaker. There are really no contraindications to pacemaker implantation. Rarely, access to a blood vessel to plac... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Nitrate therapy: Typically, pain due to angina or a reduced blood flow to a region of the heart, is relieved in the short term with sublingual nitroglycerin. Both tabl... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
No: The bundle branch may stop functioning due to age related cell death or some other process which damages the heart. Sometimes patients have intermitte... Read More
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
BP control problem: Sensors located in blood vessels may become dysfunctional, resulting in a lack of appropriate information regarding blood pressure to reach the brain.... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
No: No "natural remedies" are approved for the treatment of hypertension. There are many fda-approved medications, however. Exercise and weight loss may a... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Anticoagulant: This is a new type of blood thinner. It is used as a substitute for warfarin/coumadin in patients with atrial fibrillation.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Yes, absolutely: Vascular disease (the buildup of cholesterol and fibrous tissue with narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels) may occur in any part of the circulation... Read More
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Sure: That should be a good way to maintain adequate protein intake. You want to avoid simple carbohydrates and fats.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 58-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
ACE inhibitor: I prefer starting with ace inhibitors as first line agents. They have few side effects and have multiple beneficial effects on the heart and blood ves... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
6 weeks: Typically after a heart attack or open heart surgery, people do four to six weeks of rehab.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Yes and much more: The angelmed guardian system is an implantable st segment monitor. It is designed to detect an imminent heart attack or decrease in blood flow to the ... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Terminate arrhythmia: Implantable defibrillators are used in patients who have already experienced or are at risk of experiencing a malignant rhythm problem in the lower ch... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Heart Rhythm Society: The heart rhythm society website has good information. Additional industry sites include medtronic, st. Jude medical, and biosense webster. The mayo c... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Heart damage: Central obesity (more fat around the waist) predisposes to what is called obesity-induced cardiomyopathy. This causes the heart to become weak and sti... Read More
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Very: Depending on how high the cholesterol is at baseline, even a small dose may be therapeutic. It is a potent medication.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Various options : Medications such as midodrine or Fludrocortisone may be utilized. They require special care in patients with hypertension. Support stocking, kown as t... Read More
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Cardiac function: The echocardiogram is an ultrasound evaluation of cardiac structure and function. It allows the cardiologist to examine chamber sizes, wall thickness,... Read More
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Pulmonary HTN: Mitral stenosis makes it difficult for blood to return from the lungs to the left heart. This in turn raises the pressure in the pulmonary circulation... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Different conditions: Palpitation is the sensation that there is an abnormality in the heartbeat. It is a symptom. A murmur is something heard when listening to the heart.... Read More
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Not terribly common: Pericarditis is frequently caused by a virus. Sometimes it is the result of trauma or a heart attack. It can be very painful. It is often treated with... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Possibly: Most patients are able to have a successful ablation. You may be a candidate for a surgical or epicardial ablation. Medication combinations may also w... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 74-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Yes: Vagal-mediated atrial fibrillation typically occurs at night while people are sleeping or may occur when drinking something cold or going to the bathr... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Andrew Kaplananswered
Cardiology 35 years experience
Absolutely: Your child needs a comprehensive medical evaluation. These symptoms could be related to a rhythm problem or other structural heart problem. They could... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
245
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Kaplan is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Kaplan is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Nov 26, 2015
I am grateful for this doctor this Thanksgiving!
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I wish I had health insurance but I dont. My hands are sweating and it feels warm inside front of head.
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! There appears to be more bleeding this morning. I am going to call my doctor.
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Thank you. I take blood thinners and 81mg aspirin daily.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas, TX
Graduated 1987MD
Awards
Top Cardiologist , Second Place, Arizona - Winter
2013
HealthTap Scholar
HealthTap ClubMD
Publications
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
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