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Heart Disease: Q & A with Dr. Saurabh Gupta
My father recently had a heart attack and now is afraid to exercise. Is exercise dangerous after a heart attack?
No, in fact, exercise can be quite good for people who are recovering from a heart attack, and can even lessen chances of a repeat heart attack. The sooner your dad can get moving the better. That is the rationale behind cardiac rehabilitation that is frequently recommended after a heart attack. Of course, his doctor should set the guidelines for how much is too much and how soon to start exercising after a heart attack. It’s best to begin in a supervised setting, and then gradually build strength and stamina. Don’t nag, but try to encourage your dad, perhaps by simply inviting him to take a walk with you.
Typically, when we need to see someone’s coronary arteries in order to detect any possible blockages, the patient has to undergo an invasive coronary angiogram. This is a procedure where a catheter is placed in a patient’s artery in the leg, and then ultimately that catheter is inserted into the coronary arteries.
My mother says there’s nothing she can do about her heart disease, so she doesn’t want to “waste her time trying to get healthy.” Can heart disease be cured?
Yes and no. Coronary artery disease is a chronic condition that can’t be completely cured, but it can be controlled and some damage can even be reversed. Talk to your mom about a heart healthy diet – big on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and proteins that are low in animal fats. Daily exercise – as little as 20 minutes a day – makes a big difference in a person’s physical and emotional well-being. If your mom smokes, encourage her to quit. If she has diabetes, she needs to manage it. And make sure she is taking her medications.
Of course, the amount of exercise depends on your mom’s current condition. If she’s in end-stage heart disease, then focus on her comfort. But if she’s still able to get out and move, focusing on her health will not be a waste of time. In fact, it will probably give her more time in the long run.
What is a stent?
A stent is a tiny metal mesh sleeve that is placed in a previously blocked artery in order to keep it open and keep the blood flowing. Angioplasty is the procedure by which blood flow is restored and the stent is placed. Some of the newer stents are coated with medicines that help prevent future blockages.
Dr. Gupta is the Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Labs at Oregon Health & Science University and an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine. His major clinical and research interests are coronary artery disease and complex valvular heart disease. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York. Dr. Gupta completed two fellowships at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City. Dr Gupta is actively involved in raising community awareness about heart disease. He has been elected to prestigious national fellowships with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and Society of Coronary Angiography and Intervention (SCAI)
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