Reduce Artery Blockages

Q: Can diet or medication reduce or eliminate my coronary artery blockages, or do I have to undergo surgery?

A: Elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and other factors may cause arteries to become narrowed or blocked by plaque (fatty deposits).
           
Lifestyle changes—such as an improved diet and increased physical activity—and medication can slow, or even decrease, the progression of plaque buildup and can decrease your chances of having a heart attack. People who have severe blockages and angina (chest pain) that is not relieved by medication may want to explore coronary artery bypass surgery (grafting another blood vessel from the leg or chest to bypass the blockage) or placement of coronary artery stents, which can hold open blocked arteries.

Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., is director of nuclear cardiology and associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University. She’s also a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.