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Put Your Heart First: One Patient's Experience
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 Ken Bilodeau, a 64-year-old attorney from Rochester, Michigan, didn’t know he’d be undergoing a leading-edge procedure for ventricle tachycardia, a heart condition that causes the heart to beat very rapidly and could lead to cardiac arrest if left untreated.
Bilodeau underwent transradial coronary stenting in December 2010 and January 2011. Thanks to this minimally invasive approach, Bilodeau was able to go back to work the day after his procedures with very few restrictions.
“Once the procedure was complete, I was walking around within minutes,” Bilodeau says. “My heart condition was treated without me having to be hospitalized. It’s great to know state-of-the-art care is a short drive away.”
Procedures Defined
- Stent: a mesh tube that is inserted into a narrow or weak artery to provide support and restore blood flow.
- Femoral stenting: a procedure in which a stent is guided to the heart and placed through a catheter inserted in the femoral artery, located in the groin.
- Transradial stenting: a safer alternative to traditional stenting procedures in which a catheter is inserted in the radial artery (located in the arm) and guided to the heart to place the stent
Avoid the Procedure: Put Your Heart First
Between work and your busy social life, you may find it difficult to take steps to maintain your heart health. However, small changes can make a big impact.
- Find fresh ingredients. Skip the processed and prepackaged items at your local grocery store and hit the produce aisle instead. Consider visiting your local farmers market to find out what’s in season.
- Forgo that second cocktail. While research suggests a glass of red wine may boost heart health, too much alcohol can actually be harmful. Men should consume no more than two drinks per day, while women should not exceed one.
- Make time to move. Whether you’re running errands during your lunch break or fitting in a yoga class after work, every little bit counts toward the 30 minutes of exercise your body and heart need every day.
- Say no to smoking. Cigarettes can put you at higher risk for a variety of health conditions, including lung cancer and heart disease.
To learn more about interventional cardiology services, visit www.crittenton.com or schedule an appointment with a cardiologist by calling (248) 652-5294.
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