Is angioplasty procedure advisable when a person is having 70% heart blockage?

Posted on Wed, 25 Nov 2015

Question: My friend has 70% heart blockage- her doctor says they usually don't do angioplasty until 80% is this true- if so why

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, this is true!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this query.

It is true that angioplasty is only done when the blockage is ≥80%. This is because surgery at blockages less than 80% have not shown any major benefits compared to those in whom nothing was done. It is therefore of no great added value and doesn't warrant doing so.

I hope this addresses your query. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (11 minutes later)

At 70% blockage doesn't that lesson your quality of life, energy, etc.
What are symptoms. they also said she has calcification-does that make any difference. She's from Taiwan- and there they said she should do the angioplasty- why the difference

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Protocols differ but operating small blockages is not best practice!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this followup question.

Surgery is not without risk. Before we operate on a client, we must make sure that it is the best option and the gains clearly outweigh the risk of surgery. I will maintain that you stay away from surgery which is not recommended. Hospital practices differ but I will not lean towards what is done in Taiwan.....It is not a universal recommendation.

Remember surgeons love operating and when they decline, believe them that is is very much justified.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar