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Sheila Kar

Internist

Dr. Sheila Kar is an internist practicing in Beverly Hills, California. Dr. Kar specializes in the medical treatment of adults. Internists can act as a primary physician or a consultant to a primary physician. They manage both common and rare diseases. Dr. Kar provides comprehensive care and manages treatment with surgeons as well. Internists establish long-term relationships with their patients and incorporate disease prevention and mental health care into their practice.
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43 years Experience
Sheila Kar
  • Beverly Hills, California
  • Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College & Hospital
  • Accepting new patients

What are some lifestyle changes to prevent further heart issues for my husband?

1. Plant-based food, fish, avoid dairy, meat only on special occasions 2. Side salad with every lunch and dinner 3. 6-8 hours of sleep 4. Avoid even 2nd-hand smoking 5. Keeping READ MORE
1. Plant-based food, fish, avoid dairy, meat only on special occasions
2. Side salad with every lunch and dinner
3. 6-8 hours of sleep
4. Avoid even 2nd-hand smoking
5. Keeping lipids (cholesterol profile), blood sugar, blood pressure perfect
6. See your cardiologist at least yearly
7. Stress relieving techniques like 10 minutes of meditation twice daily or more

Living life in moderation, peace, and joy ALWAYS.

Do blood thinners cause excessive sleepiness?

Not that I know of. Maybe she takes all her medications at the same time, and her blood pressure drops. Would be interesting to check her blood pressure when she is drowsy.

I am experiencing tachycardia after having heavy bleeding during my menstrual cycle. What should I do?

Don't be worried, maybe you are anemic. Sometimes taking an iron supplement during your periods may replenish the losses. Please discuss with your gynecologist as well.

I can feel my heart pounding time and again. Could it be a symptom of atrial fibrillation?

You could wear a Ziopatch for 2 weeks, and actually have the cardiologist see whether or not you get atrial fibrillation. Skipped beats are not atrial fibrillation.

At what age is one at a high risk of a heart attack?

Age, stress, elevated blood pressure, gout, tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, sedentary life style, overweight/obesity, positive family history are some of the risk facts. You are READ MORE
Age, stress, elevated blood pressure, gout, tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, sedentary life style, overweight/obesity, positive family history are some of the risk facts. You are only 34, perfect age to start prevention of cardiovascular disease.

What are precautionary steps to take to prevent a heart attack?

See a cardiologist to assess your cardiovascular risk at the current time. That way, you can modify any risk factor that you might have and do not know about. Also, depending on READ MORE
See a cardiologist to assess your cardiovascular risk at the current time. That way, you can modify any risk factor that you might have and do not know about. Also, depending on your age and sex, a calcium score of the coronary arteries would be valuable to know.

What are the signs of a heart problem in an infant?

Please obtain an ultrasound of the baby's heart in utero. Also, you can request a pediatric cardiologist, to check you baby thoroughly. Turning blue, excessive perspiration, an READ MORE
Please obtain an ultrasound of the baby's heart in utero. Also, you can request a pediatric cardiologist, to check you baby thoroughly. Turning blue, excessive perspiration, an abnormal sounding cry, excessive panting, difficulty drinking milk, etc., are some signs of heart disease. Please think positively. You are being proactive.

All the best.

Is it safe to go to the gym 6 months after coronary artery bypass surgery?

Did you go to cardiac rehab post surgery. They usually clear you for physical activity on your own in the gym. All the best. Keep up the good work.

What is an angiogram expected to tell of my heart condition?

It tells you about the major (large) coronary arteries, whether there are narrowings or propensity. It does not tell you about exercise tolerance, valve function, muscle function READ MORE
It tells you about the major (large) coronary arteries, whether there are narrowings or propensity. It does not tell you about exercise tolerance, valve function, muscle function etc.

Does a tingling feeling in the chest indicate anything?

Difficult to say without knowing any of your history and risk factors. If there is a family history of heart disease, history of smoking, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, prior recreational READ MORE
Difficult to say without knowing any of your history and risk factors. If there is a family history of heart disease, history of smoking, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, prior recreational drug use, overweight, etc., please play safe and get checked out. It is good to be proactive.

Can my heart rate go very high with just anxiety?

Yes, but it depends on your age, thyroid function, physical fitness, presence of anemia, etc. Please go to your primary medical doctor and get checked out. Better safe than sorry. READ MORE
Yes, but it depends on your age, thyroid function, physical fitness, presence of anemia, etc. Please go to your primary medical doctor and get checked out. Better safe than sorry.

Can a blood transfusion cause disruption in my heart rate?

Should not. But maybe you are still anemic, maybe you are in pain; blood transfusion alone should not increase one's heart rate later. Please get checked out.

Can blood thinners cause excessive bleeding?

Aspirin could make him more prone to bleed with a preexisting condition. Please have him checked out by his internist, and then a urologist if necessary. He could have anywhere READ MORE
Aspirin could make him more prone to bleed with a preexisting condition. Please have him checked out by his internist, and then a urologist if necessary. He could have anywhere from bladder infection to polyps, to kidney stones to prostate issues. After a heart attack, it is important to be on an anti-platelet medication such as aspirin or clopidogrel, etc., to prevent recurrence.

Are there any supplements recommended after bypass surgery?

Recovering from bypass surgery is not easy. Make sure that her vitamin levels, kidney, liver, thyroid function, etc., are normal. Yes, as cardiologists, we do suggest plant- and READ MORE
Recovering from bypass surgery is not easy. Make sure that her vitamin levels, kidney, liver, thyroid function, etc., are normal. Yes, as cardiologists, we do suggest plant- and fish-based diet. Fresh and raw fruits/vegetables with every meal should occupy half the plate. You may request a nutritionist to assist her. Physical activity is huge. Did she go for cardiac rehab?

What could be the side effects of a pacemaker?

A pacemaker can be a life saver. Side effects are minimal - infection, injury to nearby structures, issues with anesthesia (but can be done with local anesthesia, too), etc. When READ MORE
A pacemaker can be a life saver. Side effects are minimal - infection, injury to nearby structures, issues with anesthesia (but can be done with local anesthesia, too), etc. When done at a good center, this is minimal.

What are the signs of identifying a problem with the heart?

Sometimes a small hole is an incidental finding, and there are no symptoms. A good history by the doctor, ECG, X-ray, and echocardiogram, if needed, should rule it out

After a bypass, how many times should you go for a cardiac checkup?

Depending on her condition, she should see the cardiologist 2-3 times per year for check-ups, to prevent the grafts and other native blood vessels from narrowing. Bypass does NOT READ MORE
Depending on her condition, she should see the cardiologist 2-3 times per year for check-ups, to prevent the grafts and other native blood vessels from narrowing. Bypass does NOT cure the original disease, only "bypasses" or creates detours across blockages. Her cardiovascular risk factors have to be under perfect control.

Can excessive running on the treadmill cause a strain to my heart?

Have your cardiologist run a stress test (either stress thallium or stress echo) if you're worried.

What are my chances of a heart attack after a bypass?

You are only 37 years and have had "bypass surgery," not an angioplasty? You need to take good care of yourself LIFELONG. Learn how not to make stress affect you, eat healthy, READ MORE
You are only 37 years and have had "bypass surgery," not an angioplasty? You need to take good care of yourself LIFELONG. Learn how not to make stress affect you, eat healthy, avoid second-hand smoking, keep your lipid profile PERFECT at all times, avoid dairy, eat a plant- and fish-based diet predominantly, perhaps meditate twice daily. You will do well, but you must respect and take care of your physical body and mind, that does not mean not excelling at your job.

Is it true that a glass of wine everyday can prevent heart problems?

For females, 6 units weekly, males 10-12 units weekly of red wine is all one should drink. 1 unit is half a glass. Resveratrol (cardioprotective) is contained in some red wine, READ MORE
For females, 6 units weekly, males 10-12 units weekly of red wine is all one should drink. 1 unit is half a glass. Resveratrol (cardioprotective) is contained in some red wine, not all. Dark chocolate has it, too. Yes, one can absolutely prevent coronary artery disease; the sooner you begin, the better. Never too early or too late.