Dr. Edwin Rodriguez-Cruz

The simple answer to this is YES. But is somewhat complex. A healthy person should not have a cardiac arrest ”just because”. However, there are situations when a person can have it. Examples are, with the use of drugs (ie: cocaine, heroin, synthetic drugs), or if the person receives a really hard punch over the chest at a specific time interval during the cardiac cycle. For the later you can search under ”commotio cordis”.

Yes. Even though chest pain is only a general symptom, it could be nothing or a serious condition. Not necessarily associated to the heart.

Today a systolic (upper number) BP above 130mmHg is elevated and a diastolic (lower number) BP above 85mmHg is also elevated. So, in your case 140/90 mmHg is elevated. However, a single BP check is NOT diagnostic of hypertension. In a case where you have an elevated BP reading, you should be re-evaluated by your doctor, or yourself at home or another professional who can check your BP regularly. Keep a diary of all of the readings. Write them down. Bring them to your doctor's office so he/she can see them. The doctor will be able to discern where are you standing in regard to the BP scales. Even if you have elevated BP, initial treatment will be to do some diet and exercise. However, you may need other studies to evaluate your condition.

Having hypertension is a very serious thing. It can predispose the person to have strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. And remember hypertension doesn't cause symptoms.

A cardiac MRI can be done without contrast, so no injection, but the yield of the test will be compromised. I suggest you have it the way it was recommended by your doctor.
You may want to check if they can give you a sedative beforehand for the day of the test. To take by mouth beforehand.

Yes. In a moderate amount. You should be cautious if you have elevated cholesterol levels. Read about the amount of cholesterol in the eggs and the recommended daily amounts of cholesterol that are allowed in a regular diet.

Angioplasty is the action of opening an obstructed vessel with a special catheter with a balloon at the end. The balloon looks like a small plastic sausage that is filled with fluid inside the affected vessel. NOTHING is left inside the vessel after the angioplasty.

However, the implantation of a STENT is performed in the same manner as the angioplasty, with a special balloon catheter, but the stent is delivered with the balloon. Is inflated in the affected area and left inside the vessel. This will keep the walls of the vessels open. You can search for pictures of stents in the internet.

No. An EKG shows the rate and rhythm of the heart. However, there are certain cardiac rhythms that could be associated with strokes.