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Non-Surgical Treatments for Heart Disease
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 and 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 to live longer.
So, what about bypass surgery? A recent study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (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 could 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 is now reportedly doing well.
If you have heart disease, you may want to investigate EECP. This is a non-invasive procedure that helps to improve circulation to the heart. Long, inflatable cuffs, similar to blood pressure cuffs, are wrapped around the patient’s legs, and then are inflated and deflated rhythmically. This has been used in Europe for over a decade and is now being used more in the U.S. with good results.
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.
Pierre Angier, D.O., practices integrative medicine in Saint Augustine, Florida.
