HOW TO AVOID HEART ATTACK?

Coronary artery disease develops over a period of time with plaque accumulation in the coronary arteries leading to blockages in the artery which ultimately results in heart muscles receiving less blood supply to heart muscles. Patient do not experience any complains of chest pain or dyspnea till blockage accumulation reaches 70-80% in the coronary artery.  Heart attacks happens when the covering of the plaque ruptures. As the severity of the blockages increases the pressure on the inner walls of the arteries increases and chances of heart attack increases.

 

Blockages develop primarily due to error in diet. Eating fried food, cold food, eating non veg food, having skimmed milk, eating fruits daily etc. are primarily the diet one needs to follow. Yoga and daily walking for 30 minutes is necessary for keeping the body fit which in turn helps to avoid the heart attack. Stress management is one of the major important factor that patient needs to do in his daily life as stress in one of the  major reasons that can precipitate heart attack. One should analyses the stress factors that affect his life and learn to manage them. Pranayama and meditation also helps in reducing the stress of the patient.

 

Patient should have complete knowledge of what are blockages and what are the factors that affect his health and what he can do to avoid risk factors and live a healthy life. Another important step patient is that medications should be taken on time. Certain medications help in keep blood thin and avoid blood aggregation and clot formation which in turn avoids heart attack. Patient should regularly get himself tested for lipid profiles, blood sugar levels etc. to ascertain his health level so that he can take preventive measures and avoid further complications. To know exact percentage of blockages one can undergo CT coronary angiography which is a non- invasive diagnostic test.  Patient having heart blockages should avoid going bypass surgery as the complications are many when it comes to open heart surgery. Patient should opt for a more safer, non-invasive procedure called EECP  which helps in establishing collateral circulation and improving the blood flow to the heart.

HOW TO REVERSE HEART DISEASE

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE BEING A LIFESTYLE DISEASE CAN BE REVERSED WHEN CERTAIN NECESSARY STEPS ARE TAKEN.

THE FOREMOST IMPORTANT THING IS REVERSAL OF HEART DISEASE IS DIET MANAGEMENT. HIGH TRIGLYCERIDES LEVEL IN THE BLOOD IS A RISK PARAMETER FOR A PATIENT. INTAKE OF OILY FOOD, FRIED FOOD, FATTY FOOD ETC INCREASES THE TRIGLYCERIDE LEVELS IN THE BODY. ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT TO DIET MANAGEMENT IS TO STOP EATING NON VEG FOOD. INCLUSION OF FRUITS AND SALADS IN ONE’S DIEST IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT PART OF DIET MODIFICATION.

SECOND FACTOR AFFECTING THE HEART IS STRESS, SO STRESS MANAGEMENT BECOMES AN ESSENTIAL PART OF AVOIDING FUTURE CARDIAC EVENTS. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT CHRONIC EXCESSIVE STRESS CAN CAUSE A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE HEART. DEEP BREATHING EXERCISES DURING MOMENTS OF STRESS CAN HELP MANAGE STRESS AND LOWER THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE.25-30 MINUTES MODERATE INTENSE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SUCH AS BRISK WALKING, PRODUCES ENDORPHINS WHICH ARE FEEL GOOD HORMONES OF THE BODYTHAT HELP YOU FEEL CALM AND SLEEP WELL AND KEEPS STRESS AT BAY

THIRD POINT IN REVERSAL OF HEART DISEASE IS YOGA AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE IS ONE OF THE MOFICATIONS ONE NEEDS TO MAKE FOR

REVERSAL OF HEART DISEASE. 30 MINUTES OF DAILY WALKING HAS LONG TERM HEALTH BENEFITS FOR THE BODY AS A WHOLE. YOGA IMPROVES STRENGTH, BALANCE, FLEXIBILITY AND HELPS IN HEART HEALTH.

APART FROM THESE BASIC LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS WE AT CORDIS HEART INSTITUTE ALSO PROVIDE NATURAL BYPASS TREATMENT CALLED EECP TREAMENT AND CHEALTION THERAPY TO PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE.

WHEN DO YOU KNOW CHEST PAIN IS HEART RELATED?

NOT EVERY CHEST PAIN THAT YOU SUFFER FROM IS OF CARDIAC IN ORIGIN. CHEST PAIN CAN ORIGINATE FROM PRIMARILY FROM 4 CAUSES

1 CARDIAC

2 GASTIC CAUSES

3 PULMONARY CAUSE

4 MUSCULAR CAUSE

CARDIAC CHEST PAIN IS USUALLY EXERTIONAL ONLY. SOMETIMES HEART RELATED CHEST PAIN COMES AT REST. BLOOD VESSEL SUPPLYING TO THE HEART ARE CORONARY ARTERY VESSEL. BLOCKAGE IN THESE ARTERIES HINDERS THE BLOOD FLOW TO THE HEART AND THIS HINDERANCE OF BLOOD SUPPLY CAUSES CHEST PAIN. WHEN THE PATIENT IS AT REST HEART MUSCLES REQUIRE 45 ML OF BLOOD. WHEN THE PATIENT IS EXERCISING THE HEART MUSCLE REQUIRES 55-60 ML OF BLOOD. DUE TO THE BLOCKAGE IN THE ARTERIES THE CORONARY ARTERIES ARE NOT ABLE TO MATCH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE HEART MUSCLE. DUE TO THIS DIFFERENCE THE PATIENT EXPERIENCES DISCOMFORT OT CHEST PAIN. WHEN THE PATIENT TAKES REST OR STOPS THE EXERCISE THE BLOOD REQUIREMENT REDUCES SO THE CHEST PAIN DECREASES.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CHEST PAIN

1 E.E.C.P ENHANCED EXTERNAL COUNTERPULSATION. IT IS AN US FDA APPROVED TREATMENT FOR ANGINA AND LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION. IT’S THE NEST TREATMENT FOR CARDIAC PAIN AS IT IS NON SURGICAL AND SAFE. EECP IS THE BEST ALTERNATIVE FOR BYPASS SURGERY AND ANGIOPLASTY

2 ANGIOPLASTY

3 BYPASS SURGERY

4 MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

Are all Heart blockages harmful?

Arterial supply of the heart

There are three arteries that run over the surface of the heart and supply it with blood (see the diagram above). There is one artery on the right side, and two arteries on the left side. The one on the right is known as the right coronary. On the left side, which is the main side, we have the left anterior descending (LAD) that runs down the front of the heart and supplies the front and main wall, and then the left circumflex that supplies the sidewall. If you look carefully, a major artery called the left main artery supplies the LAD and the circumflex.

 

Mild coronary artery disease

Heart blockage less than 40% is classified as mild coronary artery disease. Such blockages are clearly not causing restriction to blood flow and therefore very unlikely to be causing symptoms. It is important to note, however, that there is clear evidence here of progressive coronary artery disease and such patients need aggressive attention paid to risk factors for coronary disease (cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, blood pressure etc.), appropriate medicines, and healthy lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight loss and dietary modification. Paying close attention to these things can prevent progression of heart blockage and help to stabilize it.

 

MODERATE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

A moderate amount of heart blockage is typically that in the 40-70% range. Usually, heart blockage in the moderate range does not cause significant limitation to blood flow and so does not cause symptoms. Moderate coronary artery disease is treated much in the same way as mild disease, basically attention to risk factors, medications, and healthy lifestyle modification. Occasionally, heart blockage at the higher end of the moderate range (50-70%) may require additional testing to see if it is significant or not and may be responsible for symptoms.

 

SEVERE HEART BLOCKAGE

Severe heart blockage is typically that in the greater than 70% range. This degree of narrowing is associated with significantly reduced blood flow to the heart muscle and can underlie symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. The severe heart blockage causes symptoms and are treated with placement of a stent  or sometimes bypass surgery is required in the setting of multiple severe blockages.

 

TOTALLY HEART BLOCKAGE.

 

100% blockage in coronary artery stopping blood flowing any further and, of course, leading to a heart attack. Such a heart blockage is typically accompanied by major symptoms, and treatment needs to be given in a very timely manner.  If the treatment for this isn’t done within good time (usually the first few hours, the sooner the better), then the heart muscle may die, and once dead, cannot usually recover, which results in reduced heart pumping function and heart failure.

Complications of Bypass Surgery

What is coronary bypass graft surgery?

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is a procedure used to treat coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the narrowing of the coronary arteries – the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. CAD is caused by a build-up of fatty material within the walls of the arteries. This build-up narrows the inside of the arteries, limiting the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

One way to treat the blocked or narrowed arteries is to bypass the blocked portion of the coronary artery with a piece of a healthy blood vessel from elsewhere in your body. Blood vessels, or grafts, used for the bypass procedure may be pieces of a vein from your leg or an artery in your chest. An artery from your wrist may also be used. Your doctor attaches one end of the graft above the blockage and the other end below the blockage. Blood bypasses the blockage by going through the new graft to reach the heart muscle. This is called coronary artery bypass surgery.

Why might I need coronary artery bypass surgery?

Your doctor uses coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) to treat a blockage or narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries to restore the blood supply to your heart muscle.

Symptoms of coronary artery disease may include:

  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue (severe tiredness)
  • Palpitations
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling in the hands and feet
  • Indigestion

Unfortunately, you may not have any symptoms in early coronary artery disease, yet the disease will continue to progress until there’s enough artery blockage to cause symptoms and problems. If the blood supply to your heart muscle continues to decrease as a result of increasing blockage of a coronary artery, you may have a heart attack. If the blood flow can’t be restored to the particular area of the heart muscle affected, the tissue dies.

There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend CABG surgery.

What are the risks of coronary artery bypass surgery?

Possible risks of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) include:

  • Bleeding during or after the surgery
  • Blood clots that can cause heart attack, stroke, or lung problems
  • Infection at the incision site
  • Pneumonia
  • Breathing problems
  • Pancreatitis
  • Kidney failure
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Failure of the graft
  • Death

 

Alternative Treatment for Heart Blockages

Coronary artery disease is the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. Plaque causes a narrowing or blockage that could result in a heart attack. Symptoms include chest pain or discomfort and shortness of breath. Conventional treatment coronary artery disease are angioplasty and bypass surgery. But due to risk factors related surgery many patient look for alternative treatments for heart blockages. Following are the alternative treatment for heart blockages

 

  1. EECP: EECP in a non-invasive completely safe USA FDA approved treatment which helps in formations of collateral circulation within the heart. It helps in strengthening the heart muscle and in some patients improves the LVEF in heart failure patients. Benefits of EECP are its safe, non-invasive, without side effects so it happens to be the alternative to bypass surgery and as an alternative for angioplasty. Patients looking out for heart blockage treatment without surgery should consider EECP treatment as an alternative option.
  2. PANCHKARMA: According to Ayurveda, Hrudrog or heart diseases are caused due to dysfunctional Rasa Dhatvagni [1] or unbalanced doshas. Panchkarma helps balance the three doshas and improves the body’s healing power which in turn helps people slowly reverse their heart ailment. Other benefits of Panchkarma include Detoxes and purifies the body eliminates toxins, boosts metabolism, reduces weight, enhances the strength of digestive fire, opens up of blocked channels, relaxes the mind, rejuvenation the body, boosts Immunity & relieves stress
  3. CHELATION: Chelation therapy is a chemical process in which a synthetic solution—EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)—is injected into the bloodstream to remove heavy metals and/or minerals from the body. Chelation means “to grab” or “to bind.” When EDTA is injected into the veins, it “grabs” heavy metals and minerals such as lead, mercury, copper, iron, arsenic, aluminum, and calcium and removes them from the body. Some health professionals have also used chelation therapy to treat atherosclerosis and/or coronary artery disease , although there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that this treatment is effective. Some people believe that EDTA binds with calcium deposits (the part of plaque that obstructs the flow of blood to the heart) in the arteries, and then EDTA “cleans out” the calcium deposits from the arteries, reducing the risk of heart problems.
  4. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT: patient with mild coronary artery disease are medically managed as per symptoms of the patient. Patient with mild coronary artery disease are advised for lifestyle modification like diet modification. Quit smoking/tobacco/alcohol, daily yoga/meditation/walking.

 

 

Are All Heart Blockages Harmful?

 

Arterial supply of the heart

There are three arteries that run over the surface of the heart and supply it with blood (see the diagram above). There is one artery on the right side, and two arteries on the left side. The one on the right is known as the right coronary. On the left side, which is the main side, we have the left anterior descending (LAD) that runs down the front of the heart and supplies the front and main wall, and then the left circumflex that supplies the sidewall. If you look carefully, a major artery called the left main artery supplies the LAD and the circumflex.

 

Mild coronary artery disease

Heart blockage less than 40% is classified as mild coronary artery disease. Such blockages are clearly not causing restriction to blood flow and therefore very unlikely to be causing symptoms. It is important to note, however, that there is clear evidence here of progressive coronary artery disease and such patients need aggressive attention paid to risk factors for coronary disease (cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, blood pressure etc.), appropriate medicines, and healthy lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight loss and dietary modification. Paying close attention to these things can prevent progression of heart blockage and help to stabilize it.

 

MODERATE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

A moderate amount of heart blockage is typically that in the 40-70% range. Usually, heart blockage in the moderate range does not cause significant limitation to blood flow and so does not cause symptoms. Moderate coronary artery disease is treated much in the same way as mild disease, basically attention to risk factors, medications, and healthy lifestyle modification. Occasionally, heart blockage at the higher end of the moderate range (50-70%) may require additional testing to see if it is significant or not and may be responsible for symptoms.

 

SEVERE HEART BLOCKAGE

Severe heart blockage is typically that in the greater than 70% range. This degree of narrowing is associated with significantly reduced blood flow to the heart muscle and can underlie symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. The severe heart blockage causes symptoms and are treated with placement of a stent  or sometimes bypass surgery is required in the setting of multiple severe blockages.

 

TOTALLY HEART BLOCKAGE.

 

100% blockage in coronary artery stopping blood flowing any further and, of course, leading to a heart attack. Such a heart blockage is typically accompanied by major symptoms, and treatment needs to be given in a very timely manner.  If the treatment for this isn’t done within good time (usually the first few hours, the sooner the better), then the heart muscle may die, and once dead, cannot usually recover, which results in reduced heart pumping function and heart failure.

Doctors proven Alternative to bypass surgery ways!

A heart bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass surgery is performed to replace damaged arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles. The blood vessels are taken from another area of the body to repair the damaged arteries. The arteries might get damaged due to blockage. Arteries are responsible for supplying the heart with oxygenated blood. Blockage of arteries can lead to restricted blood flow resulting in heart failure.

Heart bypass surgery is usually recommended by doctors in such a case; however the surgery comes with a few risks such as bleeding, arrhythmia, blood clot, chest pain, infection, kidney failure and low-grade fever. Over the decade, more alternatives to heart bypass surgery have been discovered and implemented. Few of the alternatives have been listed below:

  1. Balloon angioplasty

During the process, a tube is threaded through the blocked artery following which a small balloon is inflated to widen the artery. The tube and balloon is removed and a small metal scaffold called a stent will be left in the place. The stent prevents the artery from contracting again.

  1. Enhanced external counter pulsation

The process involves compressing blood vessels in the lower limbs which increases blood flow to the heart. The extra blood flowing gets delivered to heart with every heartbeat. The blood vessels may develop extra branches over time, to deliver blood to the heart. This is indirectly known to be natural bypass procedure.

  1. Other methods

One can always consider certain medications before resorting to heart bypass surgery. Medicines that help in cholesterol reduction can slow plaque buildup in the arteries. Daily dose of baby aspirin can help prevent heart attacks. Apart from this healthy diets and simple lifestyle changes can go a long way. Avoiding saturated and trans fats help the heart stay healthy.

Vulnerable ways to cure the problems of heart without any pain or surgery

When the large vessels that carry blood throughout the body stiffen and narrow down, it leads to Artery disease. In the case of carotid artery disease, the arteries that carry blood to the brain become clogged keeping the oxygen rich blood from flowing freely to the brain which can even cause a stroke. To diagnose these blocked arteries, doctors generally opt for Angioplasty surgery which is the most commonly known method. The angioplasty procedure involves opening of the arteries blocked by the plague and restoring normal blood flow to the brain, heart and other parts of the body. The procedure takes about an hour to be completed. However, angioplasty is not always necessary in all cases. Although safe, angioplasty may not be suited for everyone. Depending on the age, overall health and location of the blocked artery the procedures may differ.

Carotid Endarterectomise is one such alternative to angioplasty. This surgical procedure is used to restore blood flow in carotid arteries which are large arteries in the neck region that supply blood to the brain. In this procedure, the plaque is peeled away from the artery wall as a result of which the blood begins to flow normally again.

Coronary artery bypass graft is another alternative that can be used to restore blood flow to the brain by bypassing blocked arteries altogether. Segments of healthy blood vessels called grafts are taken from other parts of the body such as legs, arms or chest to create a new channel through which the blood can be directed past the blocked part of the artery. This allows more blood to get through the heart muscle. This process is usually more effective treatment option particularly for patients with diabetes based on evidence.

It is essential to discuss the risks and benefits of numerous surgeries possible with your surgeon and doctor before finalising on the best option suited for you.

What are indicative advantages for alternative to bypass surgery?

Among majority of population, coronary heart diseases are one of the most dreadful one. With the advent of science without any pains also these treatments are possible. Here are few things that will help to consider doing alternative to bypass surgery.

  • Stable angina: The experience doctors and expertise techniques of EECP could help in solving up the problems even of stable angina very effectively. One of the plus boons is that they don’t cause any kind of pain to patient yet very effective in solving the problem.

2)  Removes Toxic materials from the body: The experienced doctors with the chelation therapy eliminate harmful metals and minerals from our body.

3) Improves the blood flow: In the phase of sedentary lifestyle due to proper eating lifestyle habits there could be toxic things harming of the body. The experienced hands do help in solving these problems and could give you interim benefits in few visits.

4) Safer even for patients having prior history of diabetes:- The alternative bypass surgery was found to give better contentment to the patients thus the alternative methods are much effectual for people who are having pre –medical conditions.

5) Targets inflammation easily:- Even when there is inflammation in heart it could cause a greater problems. EECP treatments are vital in improving the coronary Collateral circulation.

As there could be multiple coronary problems pertaining to different patients, only after understanding the problems the treatments are being advised to you.