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What Are Some Non-surgical Treatments for Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease narrows the coronary arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart muscle. The coronary arteries supply blood and nourishment to the heart muscle. When these blood vessels are diseased, the heart muscle can become injured.

The most common type of coronary artery disease is the blockage of an artery with cholesterol and fat. Temporary decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle can cause chest pain or discomfort. This is called angina. Total loss of bloodflow to the muscle causes a permanent injury to the heart muscle known as a heart attack.

One way to treat a blocked coronary artery is with surgery. During surgery a healthy blood vessel is used to bypass the blocked blood vessel. There are other ways of dealing with a blocked coronary artery that do not involve bypass surgery. Some of these ways are:

• diet and exercise
• medications
• removing the blockage
• stretching the blocked area to open it

Diet and exercise can improve survival after a heart attack. In many people, a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet can slow the development of coronary artery disease. A change in diet works best if combined with regular aerobic exercise. In some cases, these steps may even decrease the amount of disease that is already present.

Many medications are used to treat coronary artery disease. Certain drugs, combined with diet and exercise, will lower cholesterol. These drugs can help slow the progress of coronary artery disease. Other drugs, such as nitroglycerin, help treat angina by widening blood vessels and decreasing the work the heart has to do. Still, other drugs can thin the blood and lower blood pressure.

There are also ways to remove blockages in the coronary arteries that do not require surgery. One way uses lasers or small cutting blades attached to a tube. The tube is inserted into the artery and the lasers or blades remove the blockage. Another procedure uses a balloon that is attached to a tube to open up a blocked artery. Often these procedures are used instead of surgery. These treatments may not be permanent and surgery may be necessary later.

The type of treatment you may need for coronary artery disease depends on the kind of disease you have. Be sure you and your healthcare provider discuss the benefits and risks involved with the treatments that are available to you.

For more information, speak with your health care provider. If your health care provider would like to refer you to a cardiologist, ask for a referral to a Saint Vincent Heart Center cardiac specialist. Information is also available by contacting your local chapter of the American Heart Association or call the national office at (800) 242-8721 or visit their website at www.americanheart.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. HIL File CARD4291.RF2 VRS# 6101 Data Version 7.0
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