(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On June 6, Mayor Yemi Mobolade shared a post about a recent hospital stay for double pneumonia, and detailed that during his stay, tests also revealed “…a major blockage in my main artery.”
FOX21 News reached out to UCHealth to get more information on a blocked artery, and Dr. Timothy Hegeman, Section Chief, Cardiology for UCHealth Southern Region, answered our questions. It is important to note that Dr. Hegeman was not involved with Mayor Mobolade’s care.
According to Dr. Hegeman, patients who are at risk of coronary artery disease, which can be caused by a blocked artery, according to the Mayo Clinic, are those from middle age and beyond, more so in patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, or a family history.
Dr. Hegeman said symptoms of a blocked coronary artery can be variable. A classic symptom is a pain or pressure on the center of the chest that may radiate to the neck or arm; the sensation is typically worse with exertion and improves with rest. Less typical presentations include shortness of breath, upper abdominal discomfort, or sensations in the chest that are not described as painful or pressure-like. Often, symptoms of a blocked coronary artery are associated with a sense of fear or impending doom, a hint that something serious may be going on.
Despite advances in modern medicine, Dr. Hegeman said the best prevention measure for coronary artery disease remains good, clean living. A healthy/balanced diet, exercise regularly, don’t smoke, maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol, and manage stress. One should also work with a physician to optimize blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
If you do experience active symptoms such as chest pain or pressure, it is critical to get checked out at an ER, according to Dr. Hegeman, to ensure that a heart attack is not being missed. Dr. Hegeman said time is a muscle, and the earlier doctors are able to intervene on a blocked artery, the better they can avoid permanent damage to the heart.
Dr. Hegeman said if you are at risk or worried about a blocked artery, you should pose the question of “Am I at high risk for a heart attack? and/or “Am I doing everything I can to avoid a heart attack?”
