Coronary artery disease (CAD), or coronary heart disease, is the most prevalent cause of death among American men and women. Thankfully, some patients qualify for today’s innovative cardiac treatments through lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, lowering weight, cholesterol, and blood sugars,healthy diet habits, and exercise.
Let’s talk about the advancements in coronary artery disease treatment and where you can go for these advanced treatments in Manatee County, FL.
Coronary Angioplasty
The coronary arteries are the vessels that pump oxygenated blood to the myocardium or heart muscle. Many metabolic disease processes, including diabetes and hyperlipidemia, contribute to the formation of harmful plaque in these arteries, inducing heart attack and stroke.
Coronary angioplasty is a less invasive way to open clogged arteries. Also called balloon PTCA, this procedure effectively clears the obstruction areas with a balloon-like device, allowing for the free flow of blood. Sometimes, surgeons install permanent stents in these arteries as part of the same surgery. The straw-like stents keep the artery walls compressed and open to adequate blood flow to the heart muscle.
Notably, this cardiac procedure has become so advanced that some doctors use a tiny laser to break up the plaque. The laser energy is delivered in pulses, vaporizing the fatty build-up and creating a free blood circulation pathway.
Atherectomy
Like angioplasty in desired therapeutic outcomes, atherectomy involves a tiny rotary cutter instead of a laser tool or balloon. The cutter shaves through the fatty blockages, opening them for healthy circulation to the myocardium.
Coronary Brachytherapy
Coronary brachytherapy employs targeted radiation for patients who cannot receive traditional coronary artery bypass or angioplasty surgeries. The cardiologist removes the scar tissue that forms around cardiac stents. Other patients who may qualify for brachytherapy have small coronary arteries (making stenting difficult), have poorer overall health (as in poorly controlled diabetes), or already have multiple or long stents.
Over the past few years, this reliable cardiac procedure has been upgraded. The drug-infused stents have become increasingly popular due to their ability to avoid scar tissue associated with stent procedures.
Limited Access Coronary Bypass Surgery
Traditional coronary bypass surgery opens the chest to attach healthy blood vessels to the heart muscle when coronary arteries have limited circulation. With the recently developed limited-access surgery, the doctor can make smaller incisions or ports. Then, the heart is accessed, and the arteries are attached. This innovation makes for quicker recovery time and greatly reduces the chances of the patient having a cardiac event.
Coronary Artery Disease Treatment in Manatee County, FL
If you have CAD or are at greater risk of developing the disease, visit the highly qualified cardiologists at Intercoastal Medical Group for expert care. We offer a full range of the most advanced interventional and traditional treatment programs available to successfully manage your condition. We also offer high cholesterol treatment.
To schedule a one-on-one consultation with one of our cardiologists or to learn more about our services, visit us at our Beneva Cardiology office in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch II office in Bradenton, or Cattleridge Medical Building II in Sarasota, or use our convenient online appointment request form.
