Tim A. Fischell, MD
Cardiologist | Interventional Cardiology
1722 Shaffer St Suite 1 Kalamazoo MI, 49048Rating
4/5
About
Dr. Tim Fischell is an interventional cardiologist practicing in Kalamazoo, MI. Dr. Fischell specializes in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating diseases or conditions of the heart and blood vessels and the cardiovascular system. These conditions include heart attacks, heart murmurs, coronary heart disease, and hypertension. Dr. Fischell also practices preventative medicine, helping patients maintain a heart-healthy life.
Board Certification
Cardiovascular Disease (Internal Medicine)
Interventional Cardiology (Internal Medicine)
Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal MedicineABIM
Provider Details
Tim A. Fischell, MD's Expert Contributions
What is considered too low blood pressure
I would say that too low blood pressure is basically a blood pressure where you are dizzy or possibly fainting. In general that is a blood pressure that is in the range of 80 or 90 systolic. Blood pressure of 105 for most people is totally fine although of course if you get dehydrated at that blood pressure you could drop into a low enough blood pressure to get dizzy. READ MORE
Can a chest x ray and ct scan rule out heart disease?
In general, a high resolution chest CT scan looking at the coronary arteries is nearly 100 effective and accurate at finding heart artery blockage. I guess is that at your age and with having undergone all of these tests it is highly unlikely that you have coronary artery blockage. Chest xrays have no ability to diagnose this any EKGs at rest or also not very sensitive but the CT scan is a terrific test READ MORE
How long does a echocardiogram take
A cardiac echo is a relatively easy study. In general, a transthoracic echo, which is the common form takes only 10 or 15 minutes, depending on the technician and the complexity of your heart condition. READ MORE
Light headed?
It is very doubtful that your lightheadedness has much, if anything, to do with your heart stents. It is possible that you have some low blood pressure from a combination of dehydration and your blood pressure medication, especially if this is happening in the morning. It is not uncommon to have what is called orthostatic hypotension under those conditions. That means you get low blood pressure briefly while you stand up. Most of the time this is benign and if you just dont stand up quickly, it will be controllable. In addition, you should review your medications with your cardiologist to see if for example, youre on a diuretic that might be contributing to low volume status. READ MORE
chest pain
Most likely, this is a viral upper respiratory infection, and that can cause them inflammation in the plural space around the lungs which can cause discomfort when you breathe. Usually not too serious. READ MORE
Reduced perfusion defect on stress test
That could possibly mean that there is an old heart attack on the bottom of the heart or it could mean a block artery or in many cases it is an artifact on the bottom wall from the nuclear test, and could actually represent a normal test READ MORE
Cardiology question
Definitely recommend that you have a follow up with a cardiologist. At the very least a follow up echo would be appropriate. These types of chest pains can be associated with mitral valve prolapse but I think a full evaluation is warranted. READ MORE
Covid and type 2 diabetes?
Diabetes is a risk factor for more severe expression of Covid. At least for your husband I might recommend that he consult his doctor about starting on Paxlovid, an antiviral that has been shown to be quite effective in reducing severe illness with Covid. For otherwise healthy people you can also shorten the course of the infection but may not be indicated. READ MORE
Should I worry
By and large this type of discomfort that occurs at rest and is positional is not related to heart artery blockage. However since you have coronary artery disease if the symptoms occur especially with physical activity you should definitely follow up with your cardiologist. READ MORE
Heart palpitations
The most common cause of these types of palpitations and someone your age are premature beats caused either by early beats from the atrium or the ventricle. In general this is pretty benign but it's clearly related to lack of sleep, caffeine and stress. If you can reduce those it should help your symptoms. READ MORE
Need breathes fast
I would definitely recommend with those risk factors that you got a full evaluation for the possibility that this is related to coronary artery blockage. That might start with a coronary CT scan or possibly a stress test. You should see a cardiologist. READ MORE
stroke/ heart attack? Low sugar?
Probably just a "vagal" nervous reaction to the pain. That will slow your heart rate and make you sweat. Very doubtful that this is a heart attack at your age but if this recurs you should see your doctor or even go to the ER. READ MORE
Can hypertensive heart disease be cured?
Hypertensive heart disease in general means there is some thickening of the heart muscle, and this can lead to some form of congestive heart failure. If it is severe enough. In general, excellent control of your blood pressure will generally lead to a decrease in the heart muscle thickening over time and an let’ improvement in the hypertensive heart disease . READ MORE
Is it OK to drink alcohol after a heart attack?
It is generally safe to have a small amount of alcohol after a heart attack. There is no amount of alcohol that is completely safe, but I would say having perhaps one or two drinks once a week, after a heart attack is certainly a very low risk thing to do. READ MORE
Heartbeats
Most likely what he meant was that you were having premature extra beats. These can come from either of the top chambers, in which case they are called atrial premature beats or the lower pumping chamber, which is called a ventricular premature be in general, these are relatively benign, and not of concern. If you need further clarification about the “too many beats“ I would ask your doctor. . READ MORE
Can Moderna COVID vaccine cause myocarditis?
By and large the Covid vaccines, both the Pfizer and the Moderna have an extremely good safety record. There have been very, very rare cases where there may have been myocarditis associated with the vaccine. Given that there is a low incidence of myocarditis in the general population, and the fact that literally millions and millions of people have had the vaccine. This still may be just a coincidence. I’m not convinced there is any solid scientific evidence demonstrating that the vaccine has caused myocarditis. READ MORE
Ecg results
To be certain, I would have to see the EKG. However, if your nuclear scan, and your echo are normal, that pretty much excludes the possibility that you had an old heart attack. It is not unusual for there to be a slightly abnormal rate of progression of the R wave on the front lead of the EKG. Bottom line I would not worry about that at all. Also, if the echo were normal, left, atrial abnormality would also be a false positive on the EKG. The bottom line is you probably have a very normal heart and a slightly abnormal EKG that is borderline, but given the other test should not be of any concern. READ MORE
I'm worried about my heart?
That can be a totally normal heart rate especially if someone does any form of athletic training. It would not be unusual to have heart rates in the 40s and 50s if you are a well trained athlete. If you are completely deconditioned and your heart rate is that low it’s possible there could be some form of heart abnormality in the conduction system. READ MORE
Odd symptoms with my breathing and heart?
I think it is hard to determine what those symptoms mean without having a full history, physical exam and possibly an EKG. I would suggest that you make an appointment to see a doctor if the symptoms persist. READ MORE
Chest pain?
You should not be worried. This is totally benign. Could be caused by gas pain or possibly pinched nerve or muscle. This is not your heart. READ MORE
Expert Publications
Data provided by the National Library of Medicine- Radioactive stents.
- Adenosine for reversal of "no reflow".
- The impact of stent design and delivery upon the long-term efficacy of
- Stent design favorably influences the vascular response in normal porcine coronary arteries.
- Cleaning up the mess: new approaches to the old problem of thrombus in coronary interventions.
- Ultrasound thrombolysis for the treatment of thrombotic occlusion of degenerated saphenous vein grafts.
- Visible stents: all that glitters...is it gold?
- Dose and dose rate effects of beta-particle emitting radioactive stents in a porcine model of restenosis.
- Overestimation of stent delivery balloon diameters by manufacturers' compliance tables: a quantitative coronary analysis of Duet and NIR stent implantation.
- Failure of a novel balloon-expandable gamma-emitting ((103)Pd) stent to prevent edge effects.
- Intracoronary brachytherapy in the porcine model: a different animal.
- Role of the "dogbone" effect of balloon-expandable stents: quantitative coronary analysis of DUET and NIR stent implantation introducing a novel indexing system.
- Long balloon angioplasty with focal stenting for the treatment of diffuse coronary artery disease.
- Clinical demonstration that catheter-delivered ultrasound energy reverses arterial vasoconstriction.
- Reduction of subacute stent thrombosis (SAT) using heparin-coated stents in a large-scale, real world registry.
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Professor of Medicine Michigan State University 1997 - 2024
- Clinical Professor of Medicine Western Michigan University 2015 - Present
Awards
- Master of SCAI 2026 Society of cardiac and angiography and intervention
- Andreas Gruntzig Award 2026 Thoraxcenter
- Fellow NAI 2026 National Academy of inventors
Professional Memberships
- American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, SCAI
Tim A. Fischell, MD's Practice location
Ascension Healthcare
1722 Shaffer St Suite 1 -Kalamazoo, MI 49048Get Direction
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