expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Allan Stewart, M.D.

Adolescent Psychiatrist

I completed my General Surgery training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and then specialized in Cardiothoracic Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center.  Following his fellowship, I completed advanced training in Heart Failure and  Heart/Lung Transplant Surgery at Columbia University and joined the faculty at New York/Presbyterian Hospital from January 2005 until November 2013. I was then recruited to lead the Center for Aortic Disease at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, where he was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery. Additionally, I served as the Medical Director for Mount Sinai International. In that role, I consulted throughout the world in cardiovascular programmatic development. Searching for an opportunity to make a more global impact, I moved to Miami and became the Medical Director and Chief of Cardiac Surgery at HCA Healthcare East Florida Division, where I am committed to creating a destination for cardiovascular disease in Miami to impact Latin America and the Carribean. My sub-specialty in Aortic Surgery and transcatheter valves, has generated over 50 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. I am a peer reviewer for the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, BMJ, and JTCVS and was a site-principal investigator of many seminal clinical TAVR trials (including PARTNER I, II, SURTAVI, and SENTINAL) and thoracic endograft trials (including Bolton RELAY and THORAFLEX HYBRID).  I recently graduated in the inaugural class of the Surgical Leadership Program at Harvard Medical School. I operated and/or lectured on six continents in 21 countries. I have been honored in Castle Connelly’s Best Doctors in America, New York Magazines’ Best Thoracic Surgeon’s, and Most Honored Doctor’s list for the past eleven consecutive years and a member of the American Association of Thoracic Surgeons, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, and American College of Cardiology. I define myself primarily, as a teacher, which is greatly facilitated by being ambidextrous. I am most proud of training over twenty-four physicians in aortic surgery; eleven of which currently hold the title of Director of Aortic Surgery in various departments throughout the United States, Japan, and Israel. When not operating, I espouse heart healthy living and is a cyclist, marathon runner, and triathlete.
Dr. Allan Stewart, M.D.
  • MIAMI, FL
  • Rutgers University School of Medicine
  • Accepting new patients

How long is a hospital stay after a heart artery bypass?

It is usually between 4-7 days. Every operation and every patient is a little different, but this is the average

Do I need surgery to fix my heart artery blockage?

Blockages in the coronary arteries are fixed with either stents or surgery. The indications for each is very well described. Surgery is usually indicated for patients with multiple READ MORE
Blockages in the coronary arteries are fixed with either stents or surgery. The indications for each is very well described. Surgery is usually indicated for patients with multiple blockages, blockages in a specific artery (left main coronary artery), patients with diabetes, and those with hearts that are not functioning properly

Can clogged heart arteries be fixed with diet?

At present there is no proven diet to reverse coronary disease. Changes in diet, however, can slow the progression of coronary disease

Can heart stent patients drink alcohol?

Yes. Patients with heart stents can drink alcohol. It is important, however, to realize that there is no therapeutic value in drinking alcohol. Alcohol has no health benefits READ MORE
Yes. Patients with heart stents can drink alcohol. It is important, however, to realize that there is no therapeutic value in drinking alcohol. Alcohol has no health benefits at all. Alcohol, in high quantities will affect the function of your heart. Sincew you already needed a stent in your coronary artery, it is important to keep your heart as strong as possible. Limiting the quantity of alcohol that you consume will positiviely affect your quality and quantity of life

What medications do heart stent patients take?

Heart patients may take a variety of medicines, related to their underlying cause of coronary artery disease. They may take a lipid lowering medicine called a statin (i.e. Lipitor). READ MORE
Heart patients may take a variety of medicines, related to their underlying cause of coronary artery disease. They may take a lipid lowering medicine called a statin (i.e. Lipitor). The heart valve stent itself requires blood thinners, taken for a period of time (example is aspirin and either Plavix or Brillinta)

How long after heart transplant surgery can you resume physical activities?

The most important concerns in healing from a heart transplant are: 1. rejection, 2. infection, 3. healing of the beast-bone. Your docotrs will alter the medicines quite specifically READ MORE
The most important concerns in healing from a heart transplant are: 1. rejection, 2. infection, 3. healing of the beast-bone. Your docotrs will alter the medicines quite specifically and frequently over the first few months to minimize the risk of the first two concnerns. The third concern will be eliminated in about 8 weeks. It takes a bit longer to heal the breast bone after transplant because of the steroids, which are administered after transplant. Certainly, walking every day is important from the beginning. Light weightlifting with dumbells is usually okay. More specific recommendations are on an individual basis from your surgeon.

What foods to avoid after heart stent?

The blood thinners required for coronary stents (ex: aspirin and Plavix) are not like those used for artificial valves (warfarin) Most foods do not interact with these medicnes. READ MORE
The blood thinners required for coronary stents (ex: aspirin and Plavix) are not like those used for artificial valves (warfarin) Most foods do not interact with these medicnes. However, it is important to pay attention to your cholesterol levels and sugar levels after stents are placed, because they are usually inovlved in the cause of coronary disease.

How long is the hospital stay after angioplasty?

Normally, you should be able to go home the same day after an uncomplicated angioplasty. If the procedure is through the groin, you will be advised not to take a bath or soak READ MORE
Normally, you should be able to go home the same day after an uncomplicated angioplasty. If the procedure is through the groin, you will be advised not to take a bath or soak in a pool for a few days afterwards

Do you take medications after a stent?

Yes. Usually, you will be prescribed aspirin plus an additional blood thinner (Plavix or Brillinta) for a period of time.

Can arrhythmia be fixed with surgery?

Yes. There are many minimally invasive methods to treat an arrhythmia. Some involve heart surgery, through small port access. Others may be accomplished by an electrophysiologist. READ MORE
Yes. There are many minimally invasive methods to treat an arrhythmia. Some involve heart surgery, through small port access. Others may be accomplished by an electrophysiologist.

Is the COVID vaccine safe for heart stent patients?

The honest truth is that its is too early to tell. Certainly, there have been adverse effects with the vaccine including myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and increased clotting. READ MORE
The honest truth is that its is too early to tell. Certainly, there have been adverse effects with the vaccine including myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and increased clotting. Both of these issue seem to be transient and not life-threatening. However, in patients with stents, increased clotting could be a devastating complication. The risk/benefit of the vaccine should be considered in each patient, at this point. COVID, while still present, does not appear to be the life threatening virus that griped the world during the past few years. If I were to advise an individual heart stent patient, I would be sure to tell them to take their anti-platelet medicine (aspirin and Plavix or Brillinta) before, during, and for at least a month after vaccination. I would also advise any heart patient to reduce the likelihood of severe COVID by maintaining an appropriate weight, making exercise a routine part of life, and taking supplemental vitamin D (deficiency was shown to be associate with more severe illness). Allan Stewart, MD, FACS, FACC Medical Director, Cardiovascular Surgery HCA Florida Email: allanstewartmd@mail.com Website: www.Drstewart.com Instagram: @dr.allanstewart Office: (914) 522-8580

Does a 50% blocked artery need a stent?

Arteries that are 50% blocked are generally treated medically. However, new technology that measures the flow through the artery called IVUS (intravascular ultrasound) or FFR READ MORE
Arteries that are 50% blocked are generally treated medically. However, new technology that measures the flow through the artery called IVUS (intravascular ultrasound) or FFR (fractional flow reserve) gives more information than just the percentage of the blockage and may be used to guid treatment

Do cardiac stents need to be replaced?

No, cardiac stents do not need to be replaced. Having said that, coronary artery disease may progress if lifestyle changes are not followed after a stent. You doctor may encourage READ MORE
No, cardiac stents do not need to be replaced. Having said that, coronary artery disease may progress if lifestyle changes are not followed after a stent. You doctor may encourage you to alter your diet to lower your cholesterol and/or take a cholesterol lowering medicine (ie. a statin). In addition, you will be encouraged to quite smoking, make exercise a routine part of your life, and lose weight (if necessary). A small number of stents might develop scar tissue (in-stent restenosis). This scarring may require additional stents or the need for bypass surgery.

Can you smoke after heart stent surgery?

Smoking is a very difficult habit to stop. Having said that, the best chance for a long term survival, especially once you have coronary disease is smoking cessation. Can you READ MORE
Smoking is a very difficult habit to stop. Having said that, the best chance for a long term survival, especially once you have coronary disease is smoking cessation. Can you smoke? Yes. Should you smoke? Absolutely not.

Can a 65-year-old get a heart transplant?

Yes. The maximal age for heart transplant is usually 70 years old but in some centers, an alternative donor pool is used to give patients up to 75 a transplant. The hearts transplanted READ MORE
Yes. The maximal age for heart transplant is usually 70 years old but in some centers, an alternative donor pool is used to give patients up to 75 a transplant. The hearts transplanted in the patients 70-75, are generally not used in patients less than 70

When can I start weight lifting after a stent?

Once the stent is placed in the heart, it cannot move or become dislodged. The restrictions on weight-lifting can be divided into two reasons. The first is how it was placed. READ MORE
Once the stent is placed in the heart, it cannot move or become dislodged. The restrictions on weight-lifting can be divided into two reasons. The first is how it was placed. If the access was through the wrist (radial artery), it will heal in a few days and weight lifting can be resumed. If the stent was placed through the leg (femoral artery), it is usually closed with either pressure or a small stitch called a Perclose device. This approach takes a bit longer to heal. The second consideration is why the stent was placed. If the patient was having a heart attack, than the muscle of the heart needs time to heal before resuming exercise. It is important to talk to your doctor before resuming weightlifting or endurance exercise.

Can a stent prevent heart attacks?

Stents are placed to allow blood to flow through a blocked artery. The intention is that restoring proper blood flow to the heart muscle, will reduce the risk of a heart attack. READ MORE
Stents are placed to allow blood to flow through a blocked artery. The intention is that restoring proper blood flow to the heart muscle, will reduce the risk of a heart attack. However, it only reduces the risk in that particular artery. It does not eliminate the risk of heart attack in other arteries. Stents, in combination of lifestyle change will reduce the risk and lead to a longer and more enjoyable life.

Is putting a heart stent major surgery?

Any procedure performed on the heart should be considered major, especially psychologically. The actual procedure is not particularly invasive of technically difficult. Most patients READ MORE
Any procedure performed on the heart should be considered major, especially psychologically. The actual procedure is not particularly invasive of technically difficult. Most patients are discharged either later in the evening or the next day. They are not given general anesthesia and the heart is not stopped for the procedure. However, patients may feel quite anxious before and have a period of depression after. Both are normal.