Locations
Office
New Haven, CT
Phone
Practice website
About
Bio
Undergraduate degree from University of Pennsylvania in Bioengineering 1989
Medical degree from Harvard-MIT Program in Health Science Technology 1993
nternal Medicine Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital 1993-1996
Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology Fellowships, Massachusetts General Hospital 1996-2000
Managing Partner, HeartCare Associates of CT 2000-2010
Director, Cardiac Cath Lab, Hospital of St. Raphael 2010-
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
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
90 Answers
148 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 29-year-old male asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Many possibilities: Thepossibilities the differential diagnosis of elevated CPK is relatively narrow: muscle injury of any kind or one of the macro-ck syndromes. First i ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Depends: It doesn't matter so much how many stents you have but why you have them, what do you your other arteries look like and when were they put in. For ins... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Not really: Bradycardia is not an absolute contraindication to nitro.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Peripheral vs Lung: Systemic arterial hypertension or just regular hypertension is elevated pressure in aorta or peripheral circulation (arms, legs). Pulmonary hypertensi... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Meds and procedures: Medications are used to control the heart or restore normal rhythm. Depending on the risk factors, blood thinners may be prescribed to lower the risk ... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
100-360 J: First a couple of definitions: energy is usually expressed in joules (j). Watts are a measure of the rate of energy used, 1 watt = 1 joule/sec. Most ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
It doesn't: In a physiologic model, increased blood pressure or "hypertension" or increased "afterload" tends to decrease cardiac output. In a complete animal or ... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Unknown : No one knows what specific toxin(s) accumulate that can lead to uremic pericarditis - not everyone who has severe uremia will develop it.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Yes: For people especially sensitive to caffeine, decaf coffee can still cause symptoms. It is not caffeine free, it just has less caffeine.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Pacemaker if needed: Most bbb do not require any sort of treatment. Rarely, LBBB associated with low ejection fraction and congestive heart failure benefits from a special... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
May not be cardiac: Not all pains in the chest are from the heart. Muscle, bones (ribs), pleura/lung, nerves (i.e. Shingles), esophagus and sometimes stomach problems can... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Antithrombin: The body has a complex system of clotting and anti clotting cascades. The principle anticlotting proteins are Antithrombin which in turn requires othe... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Not really: Don't believe everything you hear. Atherosclerosis can be stabilized with current meds/treatments but significant regression (>10%) is extremely diffi... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
No: An lvad is not considered an artifical heart because it can only replace one chamber (a ventricle).
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Counterpulsation: The iabp fills with helium during diastole, forcing blood in the aorta to circulate around the body and then deflates quickly during systole, making i... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Depends: Depends on what was done (ie just pictures or how many stents), was it done for a heart attack or electively, how was it done (groin or wrist), were t... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Depends on treatment: Untreated coarctation can lead to debilitating claudication, heart failure, renal failure and death. However, coarctation should be a completely curab... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Complex: I'm assuming you are referring to cardioversion for af. The benefits of cardioversion are the restoration of normal rhythm. The risks are: (1) stroke ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Alters physiology: These are very simple answers to a complex question. Levophed (norepinephrine) increases blood pressure; Dopamine increases heart rate, blood pressure... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
HR x SV: Cardiac output in its most simple form is heart rate x stroke volume.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Best to ask a nurse: Physician training and nurse training are very different. From a physician's perspective, i would want a nurse to monitor vital signs and cardiac tele... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
RV strain: My personal opinion is that the pericardium serves to protect the heart inside the chest cavity but just as importantly, constrains the rv during acut... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Membrane: The visceral pericardium is a very thin membrane attached to the surface of the heart. The parietal pericardium is a thicker, tougher membrane that al... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Maybe: Experimental models (mice, chickens) have shown some benefit of Adenosine before and during cardiac surgery. However, clinical studies in actual patie... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Surgery or Catheter: Traditionally, open heart surgery was the only way to replace heart valves. Techniques have now been developed to repair or replace some heart valves ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Probably not: Depends on the type of bradycardia you are having and how old you are. Pacemakers are rarely indicated for young people with isolated sinus bradycardi... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 57-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
See your doctor: A blood glucose of only 120 is probably not directly causually related to edema (feet swelling) but you may have other serious problems such as kidney... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 59-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Graduated compressio: Surgical grade graduated compression stockings are the best for venous insufficiency. They come in different lengths and pressures depending on the in... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Usually not: Depends on many factors such as extent of disease, overall heart function and type of job but a cardiac stent dos not typically require retirement or ... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
No: Most defibrillators will stop after 10-15 shocks. Also, death occurs from asystole so a defibrillator would eventually sense that and try to pace but ... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
If otherwise ok: Pvcs by themselves are not contraindications to exercise. If you have frequent pvcs, see your physician for a history and physical to make sure there ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
None: A true cardiomyopathy of any type (hypertrophic, dilated, or restrictive) is a very serious and potentially life threatening problem. I would not reco... Read More
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Unusual to rare: The most common form of restrictive CM is cardiac amyloid, of which there are many types. Other causes are sarcoidosis, endocardial fibroelastosis, an... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Health maintenance: The top causes of HF in the US are coronary artery disease, HTN, renal failure. These can be prevented/managed with good healthy lifestyles and meds. ... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Not necessary: Isolated rbbb does not require treatment. Sometimes, bbbs are a market for other problems: cardiomyopathy, endocarditis, lyme disease. In that case th... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Not much: Q waves may indicate previous scarring from infarction or other process or may be completely normal or from a conduction abnormality (hemiblock or acc... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
No: Assuming full recovery, return to normal cardiac function and no complications, open heart surgery per se does not result in permanent disability.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Can be any Valve: Endocarditis can affect any valve, usually depends on source and any pre-existing abnormalities.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Usually not: Bbb is due to slow conduction down the right bundle. It is usually asymptomatic and benign. Rarely, it is caused by other conditions such as cardiomyo... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Slow heart rate: Both medications slow the electrical conduction through the heart. The combination may slow specialized nerve tissue too much and lead to serious brad... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Minimal : There is a small amount of radiation from the scan but it is less than from a cat scan. If you do an exercise stress test, there is a small risk from ... Read More
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Possibly: Abnormal ekg's (ecg's) are one diagnostic criteria for prior heart attacks. However, these changes can also be seen in hypertension, cardiomyopathies,... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
No: Patent it if you come up with one.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Sometime more nausea: Inferior ischemia is sometimes more often associated with nausea/vomiting and syncope due to heart block. These symptoms however are also seen in any ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Reset button: Enough current applied through the chest wall and into the heart will basically depolarize all of the heart muscle at once. As the heart electrically ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Depends on cause: Some cardiomyopathies can be treated or rarely "cured" but most cannot. Dilated is the most common. Some curable forms include nutritional, lbbb, tach... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Probably: As long as the patient did not have an actual infarct and was not having serious arrhythmias, i wouldn't necessarily have a problem using dobutamine. ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Possibly but unusual: Hypernatremia is usually caused by loss of water in excess of loss of salt. Since one of the signs of dehydration is orthostatic hypotension it is pos... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Immunosuppression: Heart transplant surgery is actually relatively straightforward. The key to survival is the post-operative care, especially immunosuppression to make ... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:

Dr. Samuel Hahnanswered
Cardiology 29 years experience
Not enough info: Open heart surgery may simply refer to an exposed heart in the chest. The surgery itself may be as simple as a biopsy or as complicated as a vessel by... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >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.
4
Recommendations
247
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Hahn is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Hahn is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Jan 30, 2012
Prioritized my concerns and gave me a concise answer and direction.
HealthTap member
Somehow I'm a veggie :-( some times i get nose bleeds-in fact blood stains in mucosa when i forcefully blow through nose- and i think it has something to do with O3FA
HealthTap member
Your right, mine has improved with meds. Now if they can fix the irregular beat . I hope it will slow the profession of damage. Thanks!
HealthTap member
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question, it was very helpful in consideration of my options. I really appreciate it.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Harvard Medical School, MA
Graduated 1993MD
Awards
HealthTap ClubMD
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