How to Remove Heart Blockage Without Surgery?

Non-Surgical Treatment for Heart Blockage

These days, heart blockage, also known as atherosclerosis, is something many people face, and it can lead to a range of complications down the line. Irregular and unhealthy diets, hectic schedules, and stressful lifestyles are the key factors in the development of atherosclerosis. 

Doctors recommend undergoing a bypass surgery for quick relief. However, there are certain methods to recover from plaque accumulation.

What is a Heart Blockage?

Atherosclerosis, often referred to as heart blockage, mainly occurs due to the accumulation of plaque in the coronary arteries. The narrowing of the arteries restricts the blood flow in the heart. Angina is a common symptom of a heart blockage or atherosclerosis.

How can you manage heart blockage without undergoing surgery?

To manage a heart blockage, individuals can consider these factors properly and may get a good result. These include:

Lifestyle Changes

• Healthy diet: Patients who have heart blockage must focus on foods that will protect the heart. This includes legumes, fish(especially fatty fish-like salmon high in omega-3s), lean protein sources (such as skinless poultry, in moderation), vegetables, and fruits like avocados, oranges, and blueberries. It is critical to avoid red and processed meats.
• Stress Management: Stress is one of the most influential factors that contributes to heart and other related problems. We recommend finding healthy ways to manage stress, such as meditation, yoga, or spending more time with nature.
• Say No to Smoking: Quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to halt the progression of plaque buildup and prevent further damage to the arteries, significantly reducing the risk of heart attack..
• Regular Exercise: Engagement in cardiovascular exercise can strengthen the heart and reduce plaque accumulation. 
• Healthy weight: In the case of obese people, it is recommended to maintain a healthy weight to improve the health of the heart.  
• Herbal Supplements and Nutritional Therapies: No herbal supplement is proven to safely remove plaque. Some may support health but can interact with medications. Always consult your doctor before taking any supplement.
• Regular health Screening and Treatment: Regular health monitoring is essential for keeping eyes on cardiovascular health and detecting any progression of arterial blockages. The most critical monitoring for someone with known blockages is done by a cardiologist, not just general health screening. This includes tests like stress tests, echocardiograms, and coronary calcium scans to track progression.

   
Medications

• ACE inhibitors: ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure, which helps in preventing any severe heart damage. 
• Beta-blockers: These medicines reduce heart rate and blood pressure to prevent any further damage to the cardiac muscles.
• Blood Thinners: Medicines like aspirin or other antiplatelet drugs prevent any blood clots in the narrowed arteries due to plaque accumulation. 
• Statins: These medications minimise the cholesterol levels in the blood. Which eventually prevents plaque formation or build-up in the arteries. 
• Nitrates: These dilate the blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart muscles. 

Minimal Invasive Procedures

• Angioplasty or Stenting: These processes involve the insertion of a thin tube with a balloon on the tip of the blocked artery. Doctors then inflate the balloon with a stent to keep the area open. 
• Laser Angioplasty: This is a highly specialized and rarely used procedure for treating exceptionally hard, calcified blockages that cannot be managed with standard angioplasty. It is not a common first-line treatment. 
• External Shockwave Myocardial Revascularization (ESMR)/ Enhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP) Therapy: These are specialized therapies for patients with severe, untreatable angina. They aim to improve blood flow and reduce chest pain by encouraging the heart to grow new small blood vessels, bypassing the blockages. They do not remove the existing plaque.

What are the Contributing Factors of a Heart Blockage?

Certain risk factors contribute to a heart blockage, which include:

• High Cholesterol: Elevated levels of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL or 'bad' cholesterol) in the blood are a major risk factor for plaque formation, leading to atherosclerosis. This can cause the blood vessels to narrow, cutting off the adequate oxygen supply to the heart muscles. 
• Hypertension: Increased levels of blood pressure can damage the internal walls of the cardiac arteries, making them more susceptible to plaque accumulation.  
• Diabetes: Diabetes can stimulate atherosclerosis and increase the risk of cardiac arrests. It leads to elevated blood glucose levels, which can damage blood vessels and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
• Obesity: Obesity can cause high levels of cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure. These complications can lead to plaque formation, causing heart blockage.  
• Smoking: Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that can harm the endothelium, which is the inner lining of your arteries. This damage encourages plaque to build up, raising the risk of heart disease. As a result, there is a greater likelihood of plaque forming and blood clots developing in the arteries.  
• Family History: Sometimes, a history of heart blockage in the family contributes to the likelihood of plaque formation. 

Apart from these, regular check-ups are important to monitor heart health and detect any problems as early as possible.  

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