|
A couple of decades ago, my grandfather was experiencing minor heart attacks. I think he knew what they were, but being the stoic type, he did not want anyone to worry about him. He would pause, try to catch his breath, and then carry on with what he was doing. I do not know how long he endured this before one of his heart attacks was finally strong enough to cause him to let his pride down and visit a cardiologist. It was determined that he would need open heart surgery, both exploratory and then corrective. I remember at the time thinking that modern medicine was amazing, and indeed it was, but back then, they had to split his chest open and sever his ribs to do what now might be done with a minimally invasive technique. Just the same, the operation was a success, and he was given a seven year life expectancy. He was fine for six years, but when the seventh came, we could tell that he was spooked. He always followed the regimine that the doctors had given him, with daily exercise and avoidance of certain foods. He made it through the seventh year and was visibly relieved. It was like he was given a new lease on life. He lived for several more years, and when he did die, it was due to complications relative to pneumonia and not his heart at all. It proved that the operation was a success, and that be properly taking care after the surgery, a heart patient can expect to live a long and productive life. Our world renowned surgeons are true pioneers in minimally invasive heart surgery and mitral valve repair. Visit us online (http://cardiac-surgery.med.nyu.edu/)
Related Articles -
minimally, invasive, mitral, valve, repair,
|
