Treatment of coronary artery disease, or heart disease, includes medical help and lifestyle changes for patients. If patients follow a healthy lifestyle and take proper medical precautions, they can live happy lives. Treatment has many patients following some of the same guidelines that are used for prevention of heart disease.
Medication
Many patients with heart disease develop angina, which causes pain in the chest. Nitroglycerin is often prescribed to help dilate or widen the coronary arteries, the Cleveland Clinic explains. The medication increases blood flow to the heart and relaxes veins to reduce the amount of blood returning to the heart from the rest of the body. This decreases the workload on the heart. Other medicines used to treat heart disease include aspirin to help prevent blood clotting, beta-blockers to improve blood flow to the heart and decrease blood pressure, and medication to treat chronic angina. Ace inhibitors can be used to improve the heart following heart failure or heart attack.
Diet
Many of the same diets used to prevent coronary heart disease should be strictly followed during treatment of the disease. A low-fat, low-cholesterol eating plan is recommended to avoid increased fat in the blood. To avoid further cholesterol build-up, people with heart disease are advised to eat foods with soluble fiber that helps absorb cholesterol in the digestive tract. Whole grain foods such as oatmeal and oat bran are often recommended. The diet should be high in fruits and vegetables as well as legumes, including kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, black-eyed peas and chick peas. Fish with omega-3 fatty acids help protect the heart against blood clots and heart attack. Salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Low-sodium foods are also suggested. Alcoholic beverages should be limited or avoided. Smoking should be avoided.
Weight Management
Losing weight can help avoid future heart problems. Along with diet, a moderate exercise program can help people with heart disease. A good exercise program can be developed with the help of a doctor, who will know what the patient can handle. Just walking or bicycling for 20 or 30 minutes a day, three to five days a week is good for managing weight and strengthening the heart.
Stress Management
Stress or anger can aggravate heart disease. Treatment for the disease often includes teaching people how to manage their time and learn relaxation techniques. Meditation or breathing exercises can be good ways to deal with stressful situations. A person can perform simple exercises just about anywhere if stress or anxiety are threatening factors. Slowly breathing in and out with your eyes closed can help relieve tension and avoid stress.
Medical Treatment
Sometimes surgery is needed to treat heart disease. Angioplasty opens blocked arteries to restore proper blood flow to the heart, relieve angina or reduce the risk of heart attack. There are also operations that place arteries or veins from other parts of the body around the narrowed coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart.
