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Proton Pump Inhibitors


Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) are a group of medications most commonly used to treat Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).  They work by minimizing acid production in the stomach.

So, why are they commonly prescribed by cardiologists?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               To reduce the risk of heart attack patients are advised to take a baby aspirin once a day. This dose inhibits platelets production. Platelets are an important component to forming the plug that blocks a blood vessel and the plug is what causes the heart attack. One of the unfortunate side effects of aspirin is that is reduces the production of these molecules called prostaglandins, which help reduce acid production in the stomach. So, if you take away the body’s “brakes” on stomach acid production (prostaglandins) you end up getting more acid in the stomach than your stomach needs and this predisposes to peptic ulcers, which is simply an erosion in the stomach lining. Thus, PPIs are important to reduce excess acid production in the stomach and thus act to protect the stomach from peptic ulcers and possibly even a bleed.

The Cardiovascular Institute, founded by Uri M. Ben-Zur, M.D., F.A.C.C, is located in the heart of San Fernando Valley near Calabasas andWest Hills. Our new state of the art facility is dedicated to giving nearby residents complete and thorough cardiovascular care. Dr. Ben-Zur is one of the premier pacemaker and electrophysiology specialists in the greater Los Angeles area.  Our practice staffs multiple ultrasound specialists and offers in office stress testing daily. Open six days a week with same day appointments makes it easy for our patients to quickly get the care they need in a timely fashion.
Dr. Ben-Zur’s medical foundations were developed under the guidance of experts in electrophysiology and angioplasty. During this time he also developed a passion for interventional cardiology. He completed multiple fellowships at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City and Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, California. After moving to Los Angeles, Dr. Ben-Zur established an affiliation with the Providence Tarzana Medical Center to facilitate procedures including stent placements, pacemaker implantations, radiofrequency ablations and more. To learn more about these procedures and about our practice we encourage you explore our website!

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