"Ischemia is often a precursor to heart attack," Dr. George Bren, a Washington-based cardiologist, said in a telephone interview. "How serious his condition is depends on how much of the heart muscle is affected."
The condition itself -- which results when arteries blocked by cholesterol cannot circulate enough blood to the heart muscle -- is very common, said Bren. It is not necessarily life-threatening, but in extreme cases can cause heart attack or death.
If multiple blood vessels are affected Yeltsin may require angioplasty -- a medical procedure in which a thin tube is inserted into the artery to clear out the blockage. A more severe case would call for heart bypass surgery.
Most people who suffer from ischemia do not require surgery. The fact that Yeltsin is back in the hospital so soon after his first ischemia attack in July may be more indicative of difficulties doctors are having in regulating his treatment with drugs, Bren said.
"I assume the treatment strategy will be altered," Bren said, indicating Kremlin doctors may change the president's medication.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.