Dr. Mark Richard Zolnick, MD

I met with Dr Z for my annual cardiology visit. My family and I have long histories of cardiac irregularities. My particular issues are cholesterol management (great with atorvastatin) and essential high blood pressure. I have also been treated for depression for as long as I have been treated for these cardiology indicators - mid 80's I've not had chest pains, angina, stroke or heart attack. Dr Z prescribed Metoprolol without considering the contraindication of my anti depressant - Bupoprion. I did some research and found the interactions were not beneficial. I questioned the Doctor about taking a smaller dose until I could meet with a psychiatrist to find which cardio and mental health prescriptives would work well together. Dr Z's response - that small a dose won't do any good so you may as well not take it. This with my health history. When I first questioned him during my visit he did say to me "I am the expert". Well not completely. Drug interactions are of vital… importance to one's body. I have a new cardiologist who listened to me, considered my health history, my family history, gave me a prescription that would protect my heart and not cause problems with my SSRI. He also requested a 30 day follow up.

My blood pressure is sometimes 176/123 and is usually very high. I have had to schedule appointments with Dr. Zolnick that have been 3 months out. Then on the day of the appointment, he cancels. This has happened 3 times. Doesn't matter how good he is if you can't get into see him. I don't want to go to the ER because I watched how they contributed to my husband's death. They would give me meds that I am allergic to, because those are the meds they give for a-fib. Caught between a rock and a hard place.