Treatment for a Heart Attack: Coronary Artery bypass

Coronary Artery Bypass

Bypass surgery may be necessary increase blood flow to the heart. During this surgery, a vein is removed from the person’s leg and is used as a detour around the blocked portion of the affected coronary branch or branches. The surgeon therefore constructs an alternate route for the blood.

Another bypass method is in which the internal mammary artery is linked to the coronary artery. Three or four coronary branches can be bypassed during the same surgery. As the grafts are from the patient’s own body there is none of the rejection problems associated with heart transplant. Most patients undergoing a coronary artery bypass surgery, experience relief from their symptoms.

Bypass surgery usually requires a week’s stay in the hospital and another three mothers for complete recovery. Remember, surgery is not a cure for atherosclerosis. It is just a mechanical correction. To prevent atherosclerosis in your new artery reduce your risk factors. This can help you slow down the progression of coronary artery disease.

Robotically- assisted Endoscopic Heart Surgery

A three armed robot is placed approximately 8 feet from the patient. Three small incisions are made between the ribs. Two for insertion of inter changeable instruments and another for a thin cylindrical video camera. The surgeon manipulates the surgical instruments with the help of a computer. An endoscope is passed through a tiny incision in the chest wall, and two surgical instruments are passed through additional small incisions. The surgeon views the image provided by the endoscope on a computer screen. The surgeon manipulates them via a computer console. The computer interprets the surgeon’s hand movements and causes the surgical instruments to respond accordingly.

This technique has been limited to single bypass grafts in the left anterior descending coronary artery. The LAD is located on the front of the heart, and therefore is relatively accessible. It is predicted that with advances in technology, multiple grafts with robotic assistance will be possible.

Robotic procedures have been successfully performed, for instance, in mitral valve repair, in repairing atrial septal defects and in repairing patent ductus arterious. With technological advancements, robotic procedures will be applied to most other forms of heart surgery.

Balloon Angioplasty or Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)

Balloon Angioplasty or Percutaneous  Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)

After Assessing your reports and having studied your angiogram your doctor will evaluate the number, type and site of blockages. He might opt for an angioplasty. Angioplasty is conducted under local anesthesia. A balloon tipped catheter is inserted into the femoral artery. This catheter is slowly fed into the coronary artery under constant X-ray guidance. The balloon at the tip of the catheter is insufflated at the site of the blockage. As the balloon expands under high pressure, the opening of the blocked artery widens in most cases, relieving the obstruction. The purpose of this balloon is to compress the plaque, plastering it as a thin layer along the wall of the vessel. This clears the lumen permitting an increased flow of blood. This is also called “Balloon Angioplasty”. The balloon is then deflated and the catheter removed. The procedure normally takes less than an hour. It takes only one day of hospital recovery.

Regular Follow up

Once you get enrolled into the treatment programme, a regular evaluation is necessary to monitor your progress. The effectiveness of your medication needs to be monitored and if recovery is not to your doctor’s satisfaction, your treatment programme may need to be assessed and rescheduled. If you notice any change in the pattern or intensity of your angina episodes, inform your doctor. Reducing your risk factors, wherever possible, could lead to a comfortable and productive life.

Stents

In the past few years, stents have been introduced during an angioplasty to widen narrowed arteries. A stent is a wire mesh tube used to prop open an artery during angioplasty. The stent is collapsed to a small diameter and put over a balloon catheter. It is then moved into the area of the blockage. With the balloon inflation, the stent expands. The stent is left in the blood vessel to prevent it from narrowing. Over a period of time, it gets covered with tissue from the inner lining of the coronary artery. Ant platelet medication is given to stop the formation of a bloot clot in the newly opened artery. The stent stays in the artery permanently, helping it to remain open. It also improves blood flow to the heart muscles and relives symptoms like chest pain.

Treatment for a Heart Attack: Medication

Treatment for a Heart Attack: Medication

Once your heart attack is diagnosed, your treatment begins immediately. Some drugs are to be administered to a patient immediately after a heart attack. They are effective if given within 4-6 hrs of a heart attack. They are known to disintegrate the blood clot, blocking the artery and blood flow to the heart if administered on time, these drugs can keep the heart muscle damage to a minimum and can save a person’s life.

Medication is to be given and continued as soon as possible after a heart attack. The medication included can be:

 Aspirin, Heparin, Thrombotic Therapy, and other Ant platelet Drugs.

Combination of the above

Coronary artery disease is usually first managed with medication. If this option does not work, other alternatives like coronary angioplasty or coronary bypass procedures are conducted on you.

Remember these procedures help treat your disease. To remain healthy and not get into repeated coronary problems, you will need to reduce your risks. Along with this a proper diet and exercise regimen is essential.

Shortly after a heart attack the status of your hart, arteries and the amount of the heart damaged has to be assessed. In some cases, procedures like angioplasty or stents are used to open up blocked arteries. These procedures are often combined with thrombolytic therapy to open up narrowed arteries. At the same time clots blocking those arteries are broken.

Heart Disease and Psychosomatic Disorders

Heart Disease and Psychosomatic Disorders

Your Personality

There is an association between a Type A personality and heart disease. The person with a Type a personality juggles with events believes in doing two or more things at the same time, is ambitious, anxious and impatient. He or she wants things in life to move fast. Type A personalities besides being anxious can be angry, tense, pressurized and competitive. They are twice as likely to develop heart disease as compared to Type B personality.

Along with these personalities comes the modern era of competitive working, fast foods and sedentary lifestyles. Also added to it, is the party time. Many of us label it as “contact time”. Therefore the body and mind are not relaxed, but working overtime. At all working hours the whole body system is active and may be subconsciously too, while sleeping. Do you realize the pressure one is putting on oneself? How long will it last? Will you not crack down?

Depression

Depression is another area precipitation heart disease. Research shows that depression can trigger heart problems. Safeguarding mental health is also important for heart attack survivors. It was seen that depressed heart attack patients were more than twice as likely to die or have heart problems in the two years following a heart attack.

Perhaps, the most important way to deal with psychosomatic problems is to prevent heart disease.

Psychologists insist that it is our attitude and emotions which need to be tackled. Here are a few tips to help you achieve this:

ü  Write down what upsets you.

ü  Note your attitude towards things that disturb you.

ü  Take away negative thoughts from your mind, think of something pleasant or positive.

ü  Control your anger.

ü  Articulate what you feel.

ü  Don’t bottle up too much inside. Discuss your problems with people close to you (friends or relatives). Try solving them positively.

ü  Hear soothing music.

ü  Some people, when depressed or upset have a tendency to overeat. They become obese. Try and cut down on too many sweets and carbohydrates. If you feel like eating, combine some of them with salads, fruits, etc.

ü  Try to relax and meditate.

ü  Take nice long walks and exercise regularly.

ü  Stress management skills also help recognize and reduce emotional over reactions.