| April 12,
2005
Ironwood
resident thankful for expert care of cardiologist Dr. Aslam
‘I trust him with my life’
With spring approaching,
Steve Wesselhoft looks forward to enjoying one of his favorite outdoor
activities — golfing.
Steve
Wesselhoft, Dean of Student
Services at Gogebic Community College
The 53 year-old Wesselhoft, who serves as Dean of Student Services
at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, is a self-described outdoors
enthusiast.
“
I like to remain active and get outside and enjoy the fresh air,” Wesselhoft
said.
The fact that Wesselhoft will soon be out on the golf course is something
that may not have been possible had it not been for the expert care
of Ironwood cardiologist Dr. Mohammad Shakil Aslam.
Wesselhoft remembers only too well what initially brought him to Dr.
Aslam, a board certified cardiologist and internal medicine specialist
on staff at Grand View Health System.
“
I was experiencing chest pains,” Wesselhoft said, referring to
his initial visit to the Grand View Clinic-Ironwood. “I saw James
Potter, one of the clinic’s physician assistants, who immediately
referred me to Dr. Aslam.”
Dr. Mohammad Shakil Aslam
Wesselhoft underwent several tests at Grand View Hospital, including
x-rays and a cardiolyte stress test, before being sent to the Upper
Michigan Heart Institute at Marquette General Hospital. There, under
the care
of Dr. Aslam, he underwent an angiogram — a procedure that uses
a dye injected through a thin, flexible tube into the coronary arteries
to trace blood movement and diagnose blocked arteries which could cause
angina (chest pain) and heart attack.
"Some abnormalities showed up in Steve’s stress test,” said
Dr. Aslam, employed by Upper Michigan Cardiovascular Associates,
P.C., in Marquette. “That, paired with his strong family history
of high cholesterol and chest pain, indicated that an angiogram was
definitely in order.”
During the angiogram, Dr. Aslam identified a very tight arterial
blockage in Wesselhoft’s left anterior coronary artery, indicating he had
coronary artery disease (CAD). This was treated with a small catheter
through his leg, and a stent, a small wire-mesh tube, inserted into his
blood vessel to keep the artery open. A newer kind of drug-coated stent
was used, which prevents the formation of scar tissue that might re-block
the artery.
"Dr. Aslam kept me informed every step of the way, and even came in after
the procedure several times to check on me,” Wesselhoft said. “He
provided direction for all of my follow-up and attended to every
one of my concerns and fears.”
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines CAD as a hardening
and narrowing of coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood
to the
heart muscle) due to plaque buildup. Blood flow to the heart is reduced
as plaque narrows the coronary arteries, which decreases oxygen supply
to the heart muscle.
Due to the swift actions taken by both patient and physician, Wesselhoft’s
condition was caught with enough time to intervene.
"Steve’s condition could have been very serious,” Dr. Aslam
said. “But it helped that it was diagnosed early enough so
we could treat it with a fairly non-invasive procedure.”
Wesselhoft couldn’t agree more.
"Although my total recovery is a lifelong process, including diet and
lifestyle changes, my recovery from the cardiac procedure was quite
brief,” Wesselhoft
said. “It consisted of a 72-hour recuperation period, followed
by a few months of rehabilitation. I was back to work full time only
a few days after the procedure.”
Wesselhoft was also able to resume his favorite outdoor activities
and recreational pursuits.
"I was and continue to be a very active person,” Wesselhoft said. “My
favorite hobbies are golf, hunting, fishing and gardening. I can
still do everything that I used to do.”
CAD, the most common type of heart disease, is the leading cause
of death in the U.S. in both men and women. Several factors are known
to contribute
to CAD, including:
· Cigarette smoking
· High blood pressure
· High cholesterol
· Family history of coronary artery disease.
· Diabetes
· Obesity
· Sedentary lifestyle
· High stress level
· Use of birth control pills by women over the age of 35 who smoke.
"I have made permanent changes in the way I approach many of my
habits,” Wesselhoft said. “I now ride an exercise bike five
or six days a week and watch my diet very carefully. I have also adjusted
my pace to ensure a healthy balance between my work and home life activities.”
In Dr. Aslam’s opinion, Wesselhoft is doing everything right. His
exercise routine, active lifestyle and cholesterol medication have significantly
lowered his cholesterol level, despite a strong family history of high
cholesterol. Cholesterol control, along with a healthy lifestyle, will
prevent development of another blockage in his arteries.
"As long as Steve continues to incorporate the healthier habits into his
life, including getting periodic stress tests and taking his cholesterol
medication, his condition should remain well under control,” said
Dr. Aslam. “Steve is an excellent patient. He has followed all
of my recommendations and instructions, which has greatly contributed
to his smooth recovery.”
Looking back, Wesselhoft has nothing but kind words and high praise for
Dr. Aslam.
"I was extremely pleased with all aspects of the care I received from
Dr. Aslam,” Wesselhoft said. “He is a very skilled physician,
one who took the time to listen to my symptoms, study my results, and
explain every test and procedure to me. He followed up with me immediately
after my procedure, and continues to be readily available for my ongoing
cardiac care. It’s very reassuring to know that my condition is
being so professionally monitored.
"I would absolutely and without reservation recommend Dr. Aslam to friends
and family,” Wesselhoft added. “He excels at what he does
and is extremely kind and genuine. I trust him with my life.”
Dr. Aslam, a member of Grand View Health System for two years, came to
Ironwood from Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill, where he
completed a fellowship in cardiology. He performed his residency/internship
in internal medicine at the Chicago Medical School/Finch University of
Health Sciences in Chicago. He did internships in general surgery and
cardiology at King Edward Medical College/Mayo Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Aslam, contact Grand View Clinic
in Ironwood at
906-932-1500, ext. 6364. For more information about the
Upper Michigan Heart Institute at Marquette General, visit http://www.mgh.org/heart/heart.html.
|
