Really, in this respect the heart is no different than any other muscle in the body. If you don't exercise a muscle, it becomes weak. Second, eat a balanced diet. Foods high in fat and cholesterol attack the arteries and prevent proper blood flow, leading to obstructions that can result in a heart attacks and strokes. The effects of smoking not only affect the heart, but the lungs and arteries, as well.
Smoking is a recipe for creating cardiovascular catastrophes.
For those patients who require heart surgery, there is good news. The advances made, both in new procedures and new technologies, have dramatically changed the experience from even 15 years ago. People undergoing open heart surgery can expect to return to most of the activities they enjoyed before surgery. We see some people, even transplant patients, feeling better six months post-op than they had for years before the operation. The facilities and staff available in Fort Wayne are all tremendous.