Hope Star in Hope, Arkansas

Diseased Heart Valves Replaceable With Plastic

Q Can surgery be performed on heart valves or a hole in the partition between left and right sides of the heart A Yes Badly diseased heart valves can be replaced with plastic valves and septal defects repaired Both operations use the artificial heart lung machine to bypass the heart Q Can an artificial pace maker be implanted in a person over 60 A Yes age alone Show barrier to this operation Q I have gas and discomfort doctors tests didn t show a problem and now my doctor wants a cardiac catheterization What would you advise A The reason for catheterization isn t clear from your letter There are many ways to relieve gas pains without such a drastic procedure A gastroenterologist can help you Q I am a 34 year old woman resting pulse 112 and sluggish thyroid How to explain and should I avoid thyroid extract A Although 72 bpm was normal pulse up to 130 can be healthy if mentally engaged If pulse under 130 you need not worry and you may take thyroid if needed Q I have a pulse about 60 What should I do A Normal pulse varies widely a rate of 30 can be healthy without heart block evidence