9/23/2007 - To Your Health - Long Term Benefit of Heart Stents Questioned in New Study- Dr. Heather Pena

Heart stents have never been shown to prolong life or prevent heart attacks. The new 5-year COURAGE (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation) study, published this Spring, found that stenting plus optimal medical therapy was no better than optimal medical therapy alone at preventing cardiac events (heart attacks, death, and hospitalizations) in stable patients.

Stents (small wire tubes placed in the arteries to open them up) do save lives in acutely ill patients experiencing a heart attack. In that setting they are making a significant difference. They also can reduce or eliminate symptoms (angina or chest discomfort) when these become troubling to the patient or increase in frequency (unstable angina).

It is important to understand that it is not the size of the plaque that is important. Even a 70% obstruction can remain stable and not cause symptoms. What is important is the STABILITY of the plaque. Most heart attacks are caused by small, but unstable plaque. Optimizing one’s diet and exercise habits, along with appropriate medication regimens, are powerful ways to reduce plaque inflammation and vulnerability and protect your heart.

One of my main objectives in caring for my patients is to keep all of your arteries healthy. Now we know that lifestyle and medication are just as effective as stents and medication in patients who are not acutely ill.

In ONE and Transformations we help all of you to minimize and eliminate all the known risk factors for heart disease and stroke. We have the tools and knowledge to wipe out cardiovascular disease and keep quality of life high.