When Jean Heresz went for a routine check-up in 2002, her blood pressure was through the roof. When her alarming numbers had not budged after three weeks of medication, the doctor tried a new drug. Still, she showed no improvement.

The now 70-year-old Hobart woman then went to see a cardiologist who ordered five different tests. The results showed severe artery disease, with blockages in her neck, arms, abdomen and legs. Doctors addressed the blockage in her neck first, surgically opening her right carotid artery to clear it of plaque, an operation known as a carotid endarterectomy.

Shortly thereafter, doctors opened the artery in her abdomen through angioplasty and placed a stent to hold it open, allowing for better blood flow to her legs.

But Heresz's troubles were far from over. The next year, follow-up tests to monitor the carotid showed it had been blocked again.

Cardiologist Dr. Arvind Gandhi, chairman of cardiovascular disease and the cardiac catheterization lab at Community Hospital in Munster, says doing another carotid endarterectomy, considered the gold standard treatment for carotid artery disease, would be too risky for Heresz given her history and other diagnoses.

So in a relatively new procedure available at Community Hospital, Gandhi placed a stent to open her right carotid, and in a subsequent procedure, also her left. Gandhi says stents have been used to treat heart blockages for about 15 years, but only in the last five years have they been used in the carotid arteries. The procedure is a less invasive option for patients who otherwise would be too risky a candidate for the carotid endarterectomy.

Now that she feels "human again," as she says, looking back on the whole terrifying experience, Heresz realizes how fortunate she's been and how drastically different her outcome might have been as she teetered on the brink of stroke, not just once, but again and again.

She is walking testimony for why high blood pressure is called the "silent killer." She says knowing her blood pressure and cholesterol levels and getting regular check-ups is the reason she is alive and active today.

"What's amazing is that I didn't feel bad," Heresz says, except for the pain in her legs that was related to her peripheral artery disease and was relieved by an angioplasty on her leg.

Though she says she had always felt fine, Gandhi says some reports of dizziness may actually have been some mild transient ischemic attacks, or mini-strokes.

To keep tabs on her diseased arteries, Heresz returns yearly for a carotid doppler, an echocardiogram, an arterial doppler on her legs and a nuclear thallium stress test. Overall, she is leading a comfortable, active life.

"I don't worry about it on a daily basis. I feel fine. The time I start getting apprehensive is every January when Dr. Gandhi orders tests. ... If something has to be done, I'm apprehensive but at the same time I'm grateful. ... We'll fix the next thing because without it I might be dead already."

Jean Heresz

Diagnosis: Diffuse atherosclerosis. Heresz's severe artery disease has left her with blocked arteries throughout her entire body putting her at high risk for a stroke.

Physician: Cardiologist Dr. Arvind Gandhi, chairman of cardiovascular disease and the cardiac catheterization lab at Community Hospital in Munster.

Treatment: When Heresz's carotid artery became blocked again after having the plaque surgically removed through carotid endarterectomy, Gandhi performed a carotid stent procedure, a fairly new, less invasive option for patients considered high risk because of a weakened heart, severe lung problems, previous radiation to the neck or a short neck.

What you should know: Gandhi says symptoms of dizziness, slurred speech, momentary lapses, light-headedness, sudden weakness of hands or leg and momentary loss of vision should never be ignored.

"Heart attack and stroke attacks are the same," Gandhi says. "The earlier you come in the better you are, the better the chances for early recovery."

For more information: Dr. Arvind Gandhi will discuss carotid stenosis and stenting as an alternative to surgery at 6:30 p.m. May 12 at Fitness Pointe in Munster. To register, call (219) 836-3477.