Exciting Advancements in Treatment
Cardiology has come a long way since Dr. Sanderson began private practice in 1979. He compares the early days of “taking pictures and handing out pills” to today’s sophisticated therapeutic interventions that can make patients feel better quickly, often with only brief hospital stays. New advances in transcatheter therapies (treating blocked cardiovascular arteries with balloon angioplasties, atherectomies and stents) and antiplatelet medications make this a very exciting time.

Prevention is the Prescription
Advanced as it is, medical technology isn’t the ultimate solution. Prevention – both before and after cardiovascular disease has been diagnosed – is the key to a healthy life. It’s crucial that patients understand that techniques such as balloon angioplasty, stent deployment and even bypass surgery do not cure cardiovascular disease. When counseling patients, Dr. Sanderson says that, “We don’t do anything with the interventional therapies, for the most part, but buy time.” Patients must make the effort to change the lifestyle choices that contribute to cardiovascular disease: smoking, overeating, not exercising, poor cholesterol control, poor diabetic control, and others. “Regular aerobic and strength training programs ensure proper muscle mass development and tone. Adhering to a routine exercise regimen is one of the most important lifestyle factors to help reduce the risk for coronary artery disease and enhance quality of life.”

Healthy Experience
Dr. Sanderson is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases. He is trained in interventional cardiology and performs balloon angioplasty, stent deployment and atherectomy in the treatment of cardiac and peripheral arteries. In keeping with his firm belief in the value of aerobic and strength training, he is also the medical director of a local health and fitness center.