Cardiologist Addresses Retired Men's Club

Dr. Larry Gottlieb

On Monday, Sept. 17 th, Dr. Larry Gottlieb, noted internist on cardiology, addressed the Garden City Retired Men's Club at the Golf Club Lane Center. His subject was "Be kind to your heart."

Dr. Gottlieb made the group aware of some of the primary causes of heart problems. Among the more important is high blood pressure, which can be caused by smoking, obesity, improper diet and physical inactivity. He pointed out every day almost 1,200 Americans die from smoking and more than 2,500 deaths of infants under one year of age are attributable to smoking by mothers.

What can we do to help prevent high blood pressure? Stop smoking, have regular medical check-ups, lose weight if you are overweight, eat healthy meals low in saturated fat and salt, limit alcohol to one or two drinks per day, be more physically active and know what your blood pressure should be and work to keep it at that level.

Dr. Gottlieb then explained the coronary angioplasty procedure. Arteries bring red blood to the heart. Veins take blue blood from the heart. Coronary angioplasty helps open clogged arteries with the use of a thin tube (catheter) inserted into the artery. The balloon is inflated to push against the walls of the artery, thereby expanding the artery for greater blood flow. Dr. Gottlieb concluded with a lively question/answer period and the applause of an appreciative audience.