Medication, lifestyle changes help heart patients prevent reblockage of arteries after angioplasty
發佈日期: 2025-08-03 21:38
TVB News
For patients with heart problems, a coronary angioplasty is a common solution.
But some doctors say that's not a permanent fix. Patients should strictly control their cholesterol level after surgery through medications and lifestyle changes to prevent reblockage and reduce cardiovascular risks.
Patients with heart problems are often advised to undergo a procedure known as coronary angioplasty, when their arteries are more than 70 percent narrowed or blocked.
It is a minimally invasive cardiac procedure with comparatively little trauma, quick recovery and an approximate 95 percent success rate.
An angioplasty involves widening the narrowed coronary arteries and restoring proper blood flow. However, it is not a cure-all. Recurrence rate is up to 10 percent if patients do not rigorously manage cholesterol levels.
The hidden danger lies in low-density lipoprotein, also known as ''bad cholesterol'' that builds up in arterial walls and forms deposits that harden into plaque, making the blood flow difficult.
Traditional therapies include lifestyle changes as well as medicines such as statins.
But research has shown limited effect, with 80 percent of patients still failing to meet the recommended treatment goals.
To reduce the levels of bad cholesterol, PCSK9 inhibitors have proven effective.
Clinical trials demonstrate this inhibitor can further reduce low-density lipoprotein levels by 43 to 60 percent when used in combination with oral cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Dr. TSE TAK-SUN, Honorary Consultant Cardiologist, Gleneagles Hospital: "The drug (PCSK9 inhibitor) is available already for more than five years. Also it's proven to be safe."
This drug is also available in government hospitals.
Doctors suggest while medication is crucial, patients should also commit to lifestyle changes for optimal results and consult physicians for the most appropriate treatment.
