Heart bypass surgery is a procedure used when the arteries become clogged due to a buildup of plaque from fat and cholesterol, also known as coronary heart disease. During surgery, the doctor uses vessels from another area of the body, providing an alternate route of blood flow to the heart. Though this procedure has proven itself effective, there are alternate treatments available for those who prefer less invasive methods.
Balloon Angioplasty
This is one of the more common treatment alternatives to heart bypass surgery and may be just as effective. Though it is slightly invasive, the flow of blood is not interrupted during this as it is during a heart bypass.
The doctor begins by inserting a catheter into the clogged artery. He then inflates the balloon attached to the catheter to widen the artery. Once complete, he removes both the catheter and balloon, but often leaves a small metal piece in place; this is called a stent. The stent prevents the artery from clogging again, and blood flow is then restored to the heart.
Medications
A variety of medications can be used to successfully treat coronary heart disease, ultimately reducing the risk for heart attack and stroke.
Medications such as beta-blockers and ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors are successful in relieving angina (chest pain) while preventing a heart attack. Blood pressure medications are also useful in decreasing the risks, as they reduce the amount of work the heart has to do.
Cholesterol lowering medications are helpful in reducing the amount of plaque buildup along the walls of the arteries. Taking an aspirin each day can thin the blood, reducing the risk of developing blood clots.
While these are all effective alternatives, it should be noted that they may not completely prevent needing to take further action. This can only be determined by both you and your doctor.
Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP)
EECP is a noninvasive procedure which uses hydraulic pulsations to pump oxygenated blood to the heart. It is designed for patients suffering from mild to severe coronary heart disease who either cannot or will not, undergo heart bypass surgery.
Three sets of large blood pressure cuffs are placed on the lower extremities; one set on the calves, another on the lower thighs and the last on the upper thighs. The machine is timed to inflate the cuffs when the heart is at rest and deflate the cuffs when it is ready to beat. As the cuffs inflate, fresh blood is being pumped from the lower body up to the heart.
This procedure has been referred to as the "natural bypass" because it appears to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels around the arteries which are blocked. It also appears to offer both short and long term effects; in the short term it helps reduce the patient's dependency on heart medications and enables him to participate in more physical activities. As reported in "Clinical Cardiology," after five years, 64 percent of 33 patients who received this treatment had no need to undergo surgery and suffered no cardiovascular episodes.
A typical course of treatment is 35, one-hour sessions spread out over approximately seven weeks. Though results vary per patient, many begin seeing an improvement in their health about half-way through.
