Heart patients gather at Kuakini
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer
Victoria Gavilan returned to Kuakini Medical Center last week to talk about how her life has changed since open-heart surgery there in July and learn some tips on keeping her heart healthy.
She was among about 30 people to brave the storm Friday to meet with others who had cardiac surgery within the past year. Gavilan was among those who needed bypass surgery because of blockages within her heart.
Kuakini Health System put together the midday event — the 16th annual "Heartfelt Celebration" — as a way to allow people to meet other heart patients and talk with staff about their health.
Heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death in Hawai'i, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which ranks cardiovascular disease as the nation's leading killer. Experts say about 960,000 Americans die of heart disease each year.
At age 76, Gavilan is slim and fit-looking. She lives alone in Kalihi and keeps busy with tai chi and other activities. She eats a lot of vegetables, fish and soups and tries to limit her salty foods. But she's disappointed that her left leg is still swollen after the vein was removed for the bypass surgery, which made her quit line dancing.
She said the gathering offered her a chance to find out more information outside the doctor's office. "I hope I can learn something about my sickness," she said.
Dr. Leslie Ito, a heart surgeon and chief of surgery for Kuakini Medical Center, operated on many of those who returned to celebrate their renewed chance at life. Ito said recent improvements in technology, medications and improved lifestyle awareness are helping to reduce the number of open-heart surgeries done in Hawai'i by about 20 percent.
Ito estimates that about 1,200 open-heart surgeries are performed statewide by about a dozen surgeons each year. Ito said the surgery has evolved since the 1970s when the operations were less common and more risky.
Ito, who has been practicing since 1983, said improvements have meant the surgery is available to more patients, including older folks. When he started, "you would never even think of operating on someone 78 or older because the risk was too great."
Edward Bufil Sr., 70, and his wife, Carolina, flew to Honolulu from Honomu, Hawai'i, to attend. He had noticed a shortness of breath before his surgery.
After he retired as a factory maintenance man, he grew less active. Since the operation in August, he walks at least 30 minutes each morning and traded in his eggs, rice and bacon breakfast for cereal and juice.
Carolina said the heart scare "dramatically" changed what they eat. The two have been married for 36 years and have six children, 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. They stay active with help from their family. "It really keeps us going," she said.
The Kuakini staff dressed up the auditorium with paper hearts, information booths that explained the surgeries the patients went through, diet and nutrition tips, and exercise information, and served a heart-healthy lunch that included fruit, salad, chicken yakitori, turkey wraps and crepes.
Operating-room nurse Ted Akimoto said he enjoys the annual celebration and the opportunity it provides to see patients enjoying life after a traumatic experience.
Some might suffer some chest pain in the morning and find themselves getting ready for a major operation by nightfall. "They're not prepared," he said. "It's a very stressful time for them and their family."
Ito said that the number of people seeking open-heart surgery increased about 10 percent a year until the late 1990s, then it stabilized and actually went down about 20 percent last year.
Ito also credits improved medication known as statins — drugs such as Pravachol and Lipitor — that help avoid surgery.
Dr. Dean Nakamura said patients can make a big difference in staying healthy by walking daily, cutting out salty foods and keeping their stress low with family activities, hobbies and even humor.
"Laughter is the best medicine and it's free, so laugh a lot," he told the crowd.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.
