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Cardiac Services
Messages from Your Heart (and Your Physician) Should not be Ignored
Marie Straitz will tell you that she struggled with weight most of her life. She did not
eat a healthy diet, never made time for exercise, worked stressful jobs, and knew that
heart disease ran in her family. She also will tell you that cardiac events changed her
life forever.
Marie’s first event occurred 10 years ago, while she was living in Baltimore.
Her doctors prescribed cholesterol and blood pressure medication to slow the
progression of plaque in her arteries.
On Nov. 15, 2010, Marie, now living in Fort Myers, experienced her second cardiac
event when she awoke with chest pain. “The pain was different,” Marie says. “It was a
gripping pain, a squeezing in my chest.”
Upon arrival at Gulf Coast Medical Center, cardiologist Vladimir Ilic, M.D., ordered
a cardiac catheterization—a procedure that allowed him to view the blood vessels,
arteries and veins of Marie’s heart. He found blockage in one of Marie’s main
arteries. Dr. Ilic performed a procedure to insert two stents—mesh tubes used to
open blockages in an artery.
“Marie’s procedure was a success,” Dr. Ilic says. “But, in order for her to have
continued success, I prescribed cardiac rehabilitation—as I do for all of my patients
with coronary artery disease, especially after stenting or bypass surgery. This part is
crucial because patients need to understand that lifestyle changes must be made.”
Learning about diet, exercise and stress management in a safe, controlled
environment is important, as well as taking prescribed medications. The stents
open the blockage, but do not guarantee long-term results—patients must make
appropriate changes to their lifestyle.
Marie returned to work almost immediately after her discharge from the hospital
and she had plans to attend cardiac rehabilitation. Several weeks later, Marie
experienced low blood pressure. “I woke up with chest pain,” she says. “When I tried
to stand up, I fell and hit my head on the nightstand. That really scared me, so I
called 911 and was transported to Gulf Coast Medical Center.”
Dr. Ilic performed another cardiac catheterization, but found that another stent
was not necessary. “Occasionally, patients may experience symptoms after a stent,
like chest pain or changes in blood pressure,” Dr. Ilic explains. “That is why cardiac
rehabilitation is so valuable—the exercise, diet and lifestyle adjustments are done
under the supervision of health care professionals.”
A few weeks later, Marie enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation. “I knew I needed to make
serious changes in my life,” she says.
The cardiac rehabilitation provided the education and guidance Marie needed
to manage stress, make exercise a priority and adjust her diet. She also began a
nutrition program that includes a health coach to keep her on track.
“These cardiac events made me sit up and pay attention,” Marie says. “I received
great care and motivation to make the changes I needed to save my life. The staff at
cardiac rehabilitation was amazing—they were compassionate and kind, and it was
clear that working in cardiac rehab is much more than a job for each of them. Now,
with me doing my part—with exercise, diet and stress management—I have lost
more than 70 pounds.”
Marie, now 59 years old, has even taken a new career path—she is a health coach.
Vladimir Ilic, M.D.
Cardiology
Lee Physician Group
14051 Metropolis Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33912
239-334-7177
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