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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Plaque In The Heart Arteries Be Treated?

This is a cardiology question: I had radiation therapy for breast cancer 25 years ago. My heart now has a Left Branch Bundle Block and may have some plaque surrounding the heart muscle. ( I am due for a nuclear stress test to determine this.) Is there any treatment to remove plaque outside the arteries?
Thu, 3 May 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

I am sorry to know your condition and I'd try to make you understand the treatment options here.
Almost everyone who has had a heart attack or has been diagnosed with angina will be prescribed medication to help protect their heart. These drugs include aspirin, which reduces the stickiness of platelets to prevent blood clots from developing, and drugs to reduce cholesterol, usually statins.

Depending on their specific condition, some people may be prescribed additional treatment. For example, if someone has a heart attack, they’re likely to be prescribed beta-blockers and an ACE inhibitor, as evidence shows these medicines can reduce the risk of a further heart attack.

Once someone has had an event or if they develop symptoms, they will be investigated to see if they need further treatment. They might have their neck scanned to see if they have the carotid disease, a coronary angiogram to look at their coronary arteries.
Further treatment depends on how severe the disease is in the artery, how many arteries are involved, and how bad someone’s symptoms are.

For instance, if you have the disease in the heart arteries, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms such as chest pains or shortness of breath, then it might be treated with an angioplasty and stent.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Prabhash Verma
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Can Plaque In The Heart Arteries Be Treated?

Hello, I am sorry to know your condition and I d try to make you understand the treatment options here. Almost everyone who has had a heart attack or has been diagnosed with angina will be prescribed medication to help protect their heart. These drugs include aspirin, which reduces the stickiness of platelets to prevent blood clots from developing, and drugs to reduce cholesterol, usually statins. Depending on their specific condition, some people may be prescribed additional treatment. For example, if someone has a heart attack, they’re likely to be prescribed beta-blockers and an ACE inhibitor, as evidence shows these medicines can reduce the risk of a further heart attack. Once someone has had an event or if they develop symptoms, they will be investigated to see if they need further treatment. They might have their neck scanned to see if they have the carotid disease, a coronary angiogram to look at their coronary arteries. Further treatment depends on how severe the disease is in the artery, how many arteries are involved, and how bad someone’s symptoms are. For instance, if you have the disease in the heart arteries, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms such as chest pains or shortness of breath, then it might be treated with an angioplasty and stent. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Prabhash Verma