1. A Healthy Heart Diet
Plaque builds up on the arteries going to the heart and causes them to narrow. A reduction in blood flow to the heart occurs, and if the blood supply is severely restricted, a heart attack occurs. Eating foods high in saturated fats raises cholesterol levels and can lead to plaque buildup. You can treat coronary artery disease partly by eating a diet that's healthy for your heart. Eat whole grains--such as brown rice, fruits and vegetables--and lean proteins such as fish and egg whites. Pay attention to how food is prepared. Stay away from fried foods and those prepared in butter and heavy creams. Consider taking garlic supplements, which may reduce cholesterol levels.
2. Medications for Specific Symptoms
Doctors use various medications to treat coronary artery disease, depending on the symptoms and severity. ACE inhibitors may work to lower blood pressure. Often doctors prescribe blood thinners to help reduce the chance of clots. Beta blockers may help the heart beat more efficiently. If water retention is a symptom, then doctors often advise patients to use diuretics. People with coronary artery disease may have chest pain due to the decreased blood flow to the heart. Often nitroglycerin can help relieve pain.
3. Open Up the Artery
If coronary artery disease has caused a significant blockage of blood flow to your heart, your doctor may advise that you need angioplasty. This procedure helps open up the artery and restore blood flow. A catheter with a balloonlike device attached is inserted usually in the femoral artery in the groin. When the catheter reaches the blockage, the balloon is inflated. Sometimes, doctors may also place a stent in the heart, which helps keep the artery opened. The procedure has some risks, such as bleeding and irregular heartbeats. However, it's an option to surgery, and recovery is usually only a week.
4. Bypass the Problem
If medication and angioplasty are not an option due to the severity of the disease, your doctor may indicate that surgery is required. Coronary bypass surgery is an extensive process. During the operation, the surgeon takes a vein or artery, usually from the leg, and uses it to create a bypass around the blocked area, so blood can flow to the heart. It essentially creates another route for the blood to take to the heart. Bypass surgery involves cutting open the chest, cutting through the breastbone and spreading the ribcage. It does have risks, as would be expected with any major surgery, and recovery may take weeks.
