Submitted by Dr T on July 28, 2014 – 8:42am
Question:
Doctors as suggested my mom to undergo bypass surgery due to the blockage in all the 3 heart valves, whether there is any modern medicines instead of surgery to cure the heart problem, because i read in one of the article that Heart blockage can be treated without any operation as the patient undergo operation has life span of Average 3 years and the patient who consumes modern medicines has Average life span of 15 years.
Hi Lokesh,
Sometimes patients with coronary artery disease can be treated with medications and life style modifications alone, but in others with all three coronaries involved a bypass operation is the best advice.
Patients with extensive (“3 vessel”) disease that may include a “Left main stenosis”, diminished heart function and/or Diabetes do much better with a bypass operation. In situations where time is of the essence, such as an acute heart attack, a stent is may the best option if treatment is quickly enough. The same is probably also true for patients with only “one or two” vessel disease, although there are mini bypass operations that offer an equal if not superior treatment because it promises a much better long term protection.
If successful, unlike most often after stenting, patients can live a normal life similar to those without heart disease.
Hope this helps,