Hi! I am new and have a couple of questions regarding the heart and a hernia.

My dad has suffered from a gag-type problem for several years. About 2 years ago, the doctor performed a procedure that opened up his esophogus (pardon my spelling) and there were no further problems, until about a month ago when he started getting that gag feeling with just about anything he ate. The doctor did the procedure again and opened it back up. Well, this past weekend my dad suffered a heart attack and had to have angioplasty after being "paddled back to shore" (as he likes to joke). Prior to release from the hospital the heart surgeon ran some CT scans and thinks there may be a hernia behind his heart from the gagging problem.

My question is this: would the small procedure have induced the heart attack (along with his smoking and sendentary life-style - I am working on that with him and my mom)? And, what is usually done for the hernia? Would they have to do a prodcedure to fix it or do they go away by themselves? Would he have an increased risk of another heart attack?

I hope this makes sense to someone out there, because I am confused. I have always believed that hernia's must be surgically repaired, but with a recent angioplasty, is this safe?

Thank you very much. I hope someone can help. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif