Common Sense And Science Saving Many At-Risk For Cardiac Ailments

DANBURY — It used to be inevitable that some people with high risk factors or cardiovascular disease would likely have a heart attack.

“We used to see patients after the fact,” recalls Jonathan Alexander, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiology. “Today, it’s possible to prevent heart attacks by treating people before it happens,” said Dr Alexander, medical director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Danbury Hospital.

The past 20 years have been revolutionary in the treatment and management of cardiovascular disease, according to Dr Alexander, including better knowledge of what to do for patients with a family history of heart attack, or who have high cholesterol and high blood pressure and are headed for an event.

“Now, a lot is up to you,” he smiled. In combination with great medications that can lower cholesterol and manage blood pressure, a lot of risk reduction treatment is attributed to good old-fashioned exercise, he said.

“The control and treatment of cardiovascular disease has been revolutionary,” he said. “We can change the course of someone’s life with a risk reduction plan, medications, and good cardiovascular care.”

In the past two decades, medications like statins for cholesterol and beta-blockers for blood pressure have become widely known for saving lives. Until the 1980s, doctors had very few options to treat patients. Today, with angioplasty and open-heart procedures, heart attacks can be averted and many more patients saved.

A cardiovascular exercise program that works the heart muscle and is vigorous enough to get patients to sweat is also part of a well-rounded risk-reduction plan.

Every manual for every disease that talks about prevention will say that exercise helps, according to Susan Mani, MD, director of the Women’s HeartAdvantage, in addition to stopping the No. 1 risk factor — smoking.

Danbury Hospital has been a leader in risk reduction programs and prevention. Its Marcus Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Center helps hundreds of people a year cut risk factors and avoid a second heart attack or other cardiovascular problem.

“We have the best program in the state,” said Andrew Keller, MD, chief of cardiology and medical executive, cardiovascular service line. “What makes the Danbury Hospital program so good is the dedication and commitment of our excellent exercise staff and cardiologists.”

Named in 1995 with a gift from the Marcus family, the program is directed by Kevin Bill, MS, CES, an exercise physiologist and a certified exercise specialist. Mr Bill said his staff of four helps people exercise their way to better health.

In addition to working with patients who have already had a heart attack and want to prevent another, Mr Bill’s staff now works with patients who have not had an event and want to avoid one.

People with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high stress, and problems such palpitations, a racing heart, or angina, can work out at the Marcus Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Center weekly to cut their risk.

“If you have risk factors for CV disease, we’ll work with you on a comprehensive program that can help you improve your risk of having a further problem,” said Mr Bill. “We’re a resource for you.”

While we have all heard the message many times before — exercise works — it is not always easy to do, according to Mr Bill. “Making a lifestyle change to exercise more and eat better isn’t always easy. People will take a pill, but taking a step toward exercise is harder.”

John Cannaverde, a Danbury Hospital nuclear medicine technologist for more than 25 years, has been participating in the risk reduction program. He has been working out with Mr Bill’s staff after experiencing suspicious symptoms in December.

Knowing he had several risk factors, the 47-year-decided it was time to see his doctor, who diagnosed him with small blockages, high blood pressure, and some irregular heartbeats. A possible heart problem was not surprising to him, however, since his dad had quadruple bypass surgery and his maternal grandfather had a pacemaker.

“They told me the blockage wasn’t severe enough to have a stent, as long as I behave,” said Mr Cannaverde of New Fairfield. His doctor also recommended that he work out at the Marcus Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention Center.

“I know I’m getting healthier,” said the affable med tech specialist, “Theoretically, I’m doing everything right and shouldn’t have heart attack.” Still, being symptomatic worries him.

Right now, in addition to working out and losing weight, Mr Cannaverde is practicing stress reduction techniques.

He is also becoming an advocate for knowing your risk factors. “Be smart and think of your family and friends,” he said. “If something is bothering and you’re not feeling right, see your doctor.”

Dr Alexander agrees that it is very important to know one’s risk factors. “The public isn’t always educated,” he said.

“Despite knowing the negative impact of smoking, many people don’t take good care of themselves,” he adds. Keeping weight under control, eating a well-balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables, and exercising helps to reduce risk factors.

“You can’t change a family history of heart problems, but you can do a lot with lifestyle,” he said, “And yes, you can modify risk factors. It’s not inevitable anymore that you’ll have a heart attack. A lot of it is up to you.”

Danbury Hospital has emerged as a major regional center for advanced cardiovascular care for residents of western Connecticut and New York communities in Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester Counties. Leading the program are Andrew M. Keller, MD, chief, cardiology, and medical executive, cardiovascular service line, Hal Wasserman, MD, director, interventional cardiology, and Michael Frymus, MD, chief, cardiothoracic surgery.

Building on their experience performing thousands of surgeries and angioplasties at major metropolitan centers, the team at the Praxair Regional Heart and Vascular Center has completed several hundred open heart and angioplasty procedures in Danbury with superior results.

For more information on risk reduction and prevention, visit www.danburyhospital.org.