Non-Surgical Treatments for Heart Disease
by Dr. Pierre Angier
People with heart disease are usually given just two options—medications or surgery. But to make an informed decision you need all the facts, including the alternative therapies that are available.
First of all, stents are used far too often. They are helpful in the first few hours after a heart attack to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. They are also indicated when you have angina that doesn’t respond to medication. But let’s be clear, there is no evidence that a stent will reduce your risk of a future heart attack or help you live longer.
So what about bypass surgery? A recent study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (called the STICH trial) showed that there was no significant difference in longevity between those that had bypass surgery and those that received medication only. In my opinion, for most people the risks of this surgery outweigh the benefits.
There are many medication options, and these need to be tailored to your condition. Don’t assume that every drug your doctor recommends is necessary. Ask a lot of questions and do your research. Just like surgery, some drugs can improve your life, some have unpleasant side effects, and some can kill you.
While medications and surgery are sometimes necessary, there are safer alternatives.
Heart patients often improve dramatically with cardiac rehabilitation and dietary changes. The rehab part is done with supervision and involves gradually increasing your exercise tolerance (and improving blood flow to the heart). You might also consider becoming a vegetarian. Dr. Dean Ornish proved years ago that a diet with little or no animal fats can reverse coronary plaques. I’ve seen it work, and it beats going under the knife. Former President Clinton, after having two stents and a bypass operation has become a vegetarian and now he’s doing well.
If you have heart disease, you may want to investigate EECP. This is a non-invasive procedure that helps to develop collateral circulation (new blood vessels) in the heart. Long inflatable cuffs, similar to blood pressure cuffs, are wrapped around the patient’s legs and are inflated and deflated with each heartbeat. This has been used in Europe for over a decade, but is slowly being accepting in US and the studies show it is quite effective.
Another safe option is EDTA chelation. Millions of patients with heart disease and poor circulation have chosen this treatment, which consists of injections of a potent anti-oxidant. I have personally benefited from chelation so I offer it to my patients who want an alternative to surgery or stents.
Of course, the best way to beat heart disease is through prevention. A diet low in saturated fats with lots of fruits and vegetables usually helps, as does regular exercise. Hopefully your doctor will work with you to reduce your cardiac risk factors and assist you in making informed decisions about this very serious health issue.
Tags: alternatives to surgery, avoiding bypass, bypassing bypass, Heart disease, stents
