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Huntsville in the heart disease belt?

Dr. Vasquez shares the three main types of heart blockages you should know about.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Originally from Guatemala, Dr. Vasquez has served Huntsville as an interventional cardiologist for almost 19 years.

With Huntsville being in the heart disease belt, he wanted to share the three main types of heart blockages you should know about. Heart disease is comprised of having obstructions and malfunction of the opening up of [the] heart valves.

1. Electrical blockages: Require treatment with pacemakers

2. Heart artery blockage: Stents are used to repair this blockage.

3. Heart disease/heart valve disease: Malfunction of the opening of the valves

All of these blockages are dangerous and potentially fatal and according to Dr. Vasquez, there are multiple reasons for these blockages to happen, most significantly diet and genetics. 

In Huntsville, Dr. Vasquez says that a heart attack is the most common type of blockage he sees with his patients. He says, "When you have a valve problem or the valve instruction, the most common issue we see is what we call aortic stenosis or narrowing of the aortic valve." 

Although genetics cannot be altered, exercise and activity can.

Vasquez says getting the body moving is most important. 20 to 30 minutes of exercise is enough to get the benefits from exercise and keep your heart healthy.

And although you can't control your genetics, you can control how much you exercise. 

Dr. Vasquez states that, "You can exercise 20 to 30 minutes, two to three times a week, and that is usually enough to gain the benefits of the cardiac benefits of exercise."

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