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Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD

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Specializes in: Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine (2005)

Professional interests include: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, sepsis (blood poisoning), and more.

110 Irving Street Northwest Department of Emergency Medicine Suite 1177
Washington, DC 20010

(202) 877-7632

Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD is an emergency medicine doctor in Washington, DC specializing in pediatric emergency medicine. She graduated from Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine in 2005 and has 19 years of experience. Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD is affiliated with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, MedStar Health, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, MedStar Harbor Hospital, MedStar St Mary's Hospital and WHC PHYSICIAN GROUP LLC.

Office Locations

Address:

110 Irving Street Northwest Department of Emergency Medicine Suite 1177
Washington, DC 20010

Some issues Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD can help you with:

Heart Attack

A heart attack is a serious medical event that happens when the blood supplying oxygen to the heart is cut off, usually because of a blockage in an artery. This results in damage or death of part of the heart muscle. The heart can heal, but like any part of the body that was injured it leaves a scar. This scar tissue does not contract effectively, so the ability of the heart to pump is lowered after a heart attack.

A heart attack, sometimes called a myocardial infarction, can happen without warning. However there are certain factors that raise the risk of heart attack. Some of these are:

Age
Gender (most heart attack sufferers are male)
A family history of heart attacks
Smoking
Obesity
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Unhealthy lifestyle choices (lack of exercise, poor diet, too much alcohol or stress)

Heart attacks typically feel like pain or pressure in the chest that can radiate out to the back, arm, or jaw. Some other symptoms can include fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea.

Treatment aims to increase blood flow to the heart muscle by opening up blocked blood vessels. Medications are sometimes used to dissolve clots in the arteries. Aspirin and other medications such as Plavix can thin the blood and make clots less likely to form. Dilators can widen blood vessels to make room for more blood to flow. Doctors can also use a procedure called catheterization to look at the blood vessels around the heart directly, place stents, or widen vessels using angioplasty. In extreme cases bypass surgery can be used to help blood flow better. After recovery, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle and take any prescribed medications in order to protect the heart.

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.

Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.

Risk factors for stroke include:

Heart disease
Older age
Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol and lipids

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.

Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:

-Disorientation or confusion

-Difficulty speaking

-Difficulty walking

-Impaired vision

-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms

-Severe headaches

When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.

Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.

Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.

If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.

emergency care	95

**Gender**
Male	49
Female	50

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	62
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	17
From 75 to 84	15
85 and over	14
Less than 65	53

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	41
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	52
Chronic Kidney Disease	51
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	38
Dementia	15
Cancer	11

emergency care	224

**Gender**
Male	101
Female	143

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	108
Black	95
Hispanic	0
Asian	26
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	69
From 75 to 84	57
85 and over	56
Less than 65	62

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	14
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	35
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	45
Dementia	19
Cancer	14

emergency care	303

**Gender**
Male	224
Female	396

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	50
Black	538
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	168
From 75 to 84	130
85 and over	106
Less than 65	216

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	47
Asthma	25
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	46
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	54
Dementia	25
Cancer	10

emergency care	107

**Gender**
Male	55
Female	75

**Age**
From 65 to 74	42
From 75 to 84	30
85 and over	21
Less than 65	37

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	20
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	61
Asthma	32
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	58
Dementia	26
Cancer	15

emergency care	274

**Gender**
Male	103
Female	188

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	249
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	107
From 75 to 84	68
85 and over	41
Less than 65	75

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	57
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	54
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	63
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	58
Dementia	29
Cancer	19

emergency care	373

**Gender**
Male	184
Female	219

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	48
Black	330
Hispanic	14
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	129
From 75 to 84	100
85 and over	61
Less than 65	113

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	55
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	63
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	52
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	57
Dementia	29
Cancer	15

emergency care	327

**Gender**
Male	159
Female	193

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	41
Black	287
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	123
From 75 to 84	85
85 and over	50
Less than 65	94

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	55
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	66
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	3
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	47
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	58
Dementia	31
Cancer	16

emergency care	165

**Gender**
Male	89
Female	106

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	0
Black	159
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	66
From 75 to 84	41
85 and over	31
Less than 65	57

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	64
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	56
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	68
Asthma	16
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	49
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	28
Diabetes	53
Dementia	33
Cancer	15

emergency care	131

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD treated as an emergency medicine doctor in Washington, DC were emergency care.

emergency care	222

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD.

**Gender**
Male	96
Female	137

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	165
Asian / Pacific Islander	2
Non-Hispanic White	30
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	1
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	52
85 and over	38
Less than 65	70
65 to 74	72

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	11
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	15
Osteoporosis	2
Heart Failure	36
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	42
Atrial Fibrillation	11
Cancer	11
Dementia	20

Education & Training

Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD graduated from Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine in 2005. She completed residency at Strong Memorial Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine American Board of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medicine and has a state license in District of Columbia.

Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine (2005)

Residency: Strong Memorial Hospital (2008)

Board Certification: American Board of Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Emergency Medicine American Board of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medicine

Licensed In: District of Columbia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital

MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center

MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center

MedStar Health

MedStar Washington Hospital Center

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

MedStar Montgomery Medical Center

MedStar Harbor Hospital

MedStar St Mary's Hospital

WHC PHYSICIAN GROUP LLC

Ratings & Reviews

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Biography

Dr. Kirsten Sheahan's specialty is pediatric emergency medicine. Dr. Sheahan's areas of expertise include the following: heart failure, stroke, and heart attack. She is affiliated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She studied medicine at Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. For her residency, Dr. Sheahan trained at Strong Memorial Hospital.

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Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD can help you with:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Kirsten Erika Sheahan, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

Biography

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