Non-Surgical Heart Blockage Treatment Options

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Introduction 

Heart Blockage is also known as coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, or ischemic heart disease. Heart blockage occurs when cholesterol (plaques) gets deposited on the wall of the arteries in the heart, causing narrowing. Due to this, the arteries responsible for supplying blood to the heart struggle to complete their work. Heart blockage is severe and may cause severe complications. 

This blog highlights heart blockage, its symptoms, complications, and treatment. So please keep reading.

Signs and Symptoms

It takes several years for heart blockage to develop, and there may not be any symptoms of this condition for a long time. However, as time passes, the narrowing of the arteries will increase and may produce mild symptoms. These symptoms usually indicate the heart working and pumping harder for oxygen delivery. As the narrowing of the arteries worsens, so do the symptoms. The signs and symptoms indicating heart blockage include the following, 

• Angina or chest pain (feeling pain, tightness, or heaviness in the chest)
• Dyspnea or shortness of breath 
• Fatigue 
• Weakness  
• A heart attack that occurs when the artery is blocked completely. The symptoms to watch out for as they may be an indication of a heart attack include pain in the chest, sweating, pain that spreads through the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw and back, and shortness of breath.

Conditions that May Occur as a Result of Heart Blockage

If not attended to and treated on time, heart blockage or coronary artery disease can lead to several complications. The conditions that may occur as a complication of heart blockage include the following, 

• Abnormal or irregular heartbeat, also called arrhythmias 
• Chest pain or angina 
• Heart attack 
• Heart failure 
• Sudden death 

Non-surgical treatments for heart blockage

Non-surgical treatments used for heart blockages include medications, lifestyle modifications, and managing the risk factors.

1. Drug Therapy for Heart Disease

Medications for treating heart blockage include the following,

• Antihypertensive medications for lowering blood pressure 
• Cholesterol-lowering medications (Antihyperlipidemics) to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the body 
• Antiplatelet medications like aspirin, ticlopidine, and clopidogrel for preventing blood clots
• Medications like Nitroglycerin and Ranolazine for patients experiencing angina (chest pain)

2. Lifestyle modifications

Lifestyle modifications that help in managing heart blockage include the following,

• Quitting smoking and using products containing tobacco 
• Reducing heavy alcohol intake 
• Eating a healthy, nutrition-rich diet 
• Cutting out excessive salt and sugar from the diet 
• Exercising regularly 
• Managing stress 

3. Management of risk factors

Managing the risk factors that may increase the risk of heart blockage by seeking proper advice from a healthcare provider can help reduce the risk. Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, high cholesterol, and obesity are known risk factors for heart blockage; hence, managing them can help reduce the risk of heart blockage. 

Balloon Angioplasty & Stenting

Balloon Angioplasty & Stenting is a treatment approach that is usually used in patients with heart blockage that did not respond to medications. In balloon angioplasty, a small incision is made in the wrist or groyne of the patient, and a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into the blood vessel to reach the blocked artery. A tiny balloon that is present on the tip of the catheter is then inflated. This inflation of the balloon in the narrowed or blocked artery causes compression of the blood clot or plaque against the sides of the artery (wall), making space for the blood to flow properly. 

In stenting, the surgeon removes the balloon catheter and places a stent in the place where the catheter was before. A stent which is a small mesh-like metal device, supports the blood vessel and helps in keeping the artery from closing or narrowing again. This helps in enhancing the flow of blood and reduces angina. 

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Cardiac Rehabilitation for patients having heart blockage is used to speed up the recovery of the patient and reduce the risk of any further events. In cardiac rehabilitation, a customised program is given to the patient, which includes an exercise program, education about the various risk factors for heart blockage, and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk. It is otherwise also called cardiac rehab. 

Effective tips to prevent heart blockage

Certain risk factors of heart blockage are difficult to control. However, there are various preventive measures that, when followed properly, can help in lowering the risk of heart blockage. These preventive measures include the following, 

• Quitting smoking and using products containing tobacco
• Limiting heavy alcohol consumption 
• Exercising regularly 
• Eating a healthy diet that is rich in nutrients and low in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats 
• Controlling blood sugar and cholesterol levels 
• Controlling high blood pressure 
• Taking the prescribed medications on time
• Getting adequate sleep 
• Managing stress 
• Maintaining a healthy weight 
• Educating yourself about the various risk factors 

FAQs 

1. What are the risk factors of heart blockage?

The various risk factors that may put you at an increased risk of heart blockage include the following,

• A family history of heart conditions 
• Old age 
• Smoking and using tobacco products 
• High amounts of alcohol intake 
• Having conditions like chronic kidney conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol 
• Being overweight or having obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle 
• A poor and unhealthy diet 
• Sleeping habits (sleeping too much or too little)

2. I am a woman; what puts me at risk of heart blockage?

The risk factors that may put women at risk of heart blockage include the following, 

• Smoking and alcohol consumption 
• Getting menopause early 
• Having endometriosis 
• Taking hormonal birth control medications 
• Having had gestational diabetes in the past

3. Is heart blockage or coronary artery disease curable? 

Unfortunately, there is no cure for heart blockage or coronary artery disease. However, the condition can be effectively managed by following the preventive measures and following the doctor’s advice and treatment plan properly. Better management of the condition helps in improving the quality of life. 

4. When to see the doctor if I have a heart blockage?

Once diagnosed, your doctor will formulate your treatment plan and will call you for testing and regular check-ups. However, contact and see your doctor immediately, 

• If your symptoms worsen 
• If you experience any new symptoms or side effects from the prescribed medications

5. When is surgery needed for heart blockage?

Patients with heart blockage might need surgery if there is any blockage in one of the important larger arteries or if there is narrowing and blockages in multiple places. 

6. How to clear heart blockage naturally without surgery? 

To treat a heart blockage without surgery, it is essential to diagnose heart blockages on time, follow a healthy lifestyle, and take all the measures and medications prescribed by the doctor. 

Conclusion

Heart blockage is common and can happen to anyone. Being diagnosed with heart blockage can be stressful. However, this condition can be managed and prevented with healthy lifestyle adaptation. People with conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension can also reduce their risk by seeking timely treatment and following a healthy routine. Effective stress management in patients with heart blockage is necessary to prevent it from worsening. You can voice out any concerns or queries you have about heart blockages with your doctor. 

At Ayu Health, we provide the best treatments and aftercare to patients having cardiac (heart) conditions. Our team of highly skilled professionals provides nothing but the best services to all our patients. Apart from affordable heart blockage treatment with medicine or surgery, we also provide cardiac rehabilitation to ensure maximum patient safety and satisfaction. 

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Our Doctors

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