A 78-year-old man, Mr. Man, with two completely blocked coronary arteries and a 90% blockage in a third, underwent successful bypass surgery on a beating heart.

I have diabetes, experience frequent fatigue and heart palpitations, and occasional chest pain, but my electrocardiogram (ECG) results are normal. Can a cardiac CT scan detect early signs of a heart attack? (Vu Van Lam, 45, Lam Dong)

While coronary stents widen narrowed arteries, they don't prevent heart attacks in other damaged areas.

Heart disease sufferers may experience not only chest pain but also unusual fatigue, pain or discomfort in the jaw, spreading to the shoulders and back.

Weight loss, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep are three of several recommendations from Professor Eric Topol, a US cardiologist, for effective cardiovascular disease prevention.

Oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, nut milk, and fresh fruit are rich in fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats, which help control cholesterol and blood pressure, protecting cardiovascular health.

Heart valve replacement is the optimal solution when valves are severely leaky or narrowed, or when medication is ineffective. It alleviates symptoms, prevents heart failure, and addresses arrhythmias.

Congenital heart defects are caused by genetics, or by exposure in the womb to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or if the mother has illnesses like rubella or gestational diabetes.

A 52-year-old man, Hue, suffered from mitral valve stenosis for 17 years, leading to enlarged heart chambers and a heart twice its normal size.

Maintaining a balanced diet, managing stress, limiting alcohol, and getting enough sleep are crucial for protecting heart health in middle age.