The treatment goals for heart disease are to relieve symptoms, control risk factors, prevent disease progression, and improve quality of life. The medical team typically develops a personalized treatment plan based on the patient's age, medical history, and severity of the condition. Treatment strategies include medications, surgery, lifestyle adjustments, and emerging therapies, emphasizing a multifaceted integrated management approach.
Modern medicine effectively reduces the risk of heart attacks or heart failure through medications, interventional surgery, and patient self-management. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment can significantly delay disease progression and even reverse some tissue damage. Close collaboration between patients and healthcare providers is key to achieving optimal treatment outcomes.
Currently, heart disease treatment is divided into three core directions: medication control, invasive surgery, and lifestyle modifications. Medication therapy primarily targets key indicators such as blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood coagulation, while surgical therapies are used to relieve vascular blockages or repair structural abnormalities of the heart. Lifestyle management serves as a long-term foundation for preventing disease progression.
Invasive treatments include percutaneous coronary balloon angioplasty, stent placement, and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which can directly improve myocardial blood supply. For patients with heart failure, the medical team may install a cardiac rhythm regulator or use biologics to enhance heart function. New technologies such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have also become viable options for high-risk patients.
Medication therapy is the cornerstone of heart disease management, with commonly used drugs classified into five major categories: antiplatelet agents, lipid-lowering agents, antihypertensives, diuretics, and heart failure-specific medications. Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin and prasugrel can prevent thrombus formation and reduce the risk of myocardial infarction. Statins (e.g., atorvastatin) can lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are particularly important for patients with hypertension and heart failure, as they can dilate blood vessels and reduce cardiac workload. Newer ARNI drugs (e.g., sacubitril/valsartan) combine diuretic and vasodilatory effects, showing significant efficacy in patients with end-stage heart failure. Diuretics are used to eliminate excess fluid from the body, alleviating pulmonary edema and lower limb swelling.
Invasive surgery is a critical option when medication therapy is ineffective. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) uses catheter technology to dilate obstructed vessels, and the placement of a metal stent can maintain vessel patency over the long term. For patients with multivessel disease, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can bypass the obstructed areas to restore blood supply.
Patients with arrhythmias may require implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Patients with severe heart failure may need left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as a bridge to heart transplantation. The recently developed transcatheter aortic valve replacement provides a low-invasive option for patients at high risk for open-heart surgery.
Lifestyle adjustments are the long-term foundation of heart disease treatment. In terms of dietary control, the DASH diet has been proven to effectively lower blood pressure, with a recommended daily sodium intake of less than 2300 mg. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes the intake of whole grains, quality proteins, and healthy fats, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by up to 30%.
Chronic stress can lead to elevated blood pressure and inflammatory responses. Mindfulness meditation and cognitive-behavioral therapy have been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence. Sufficient sleep (7-9 hours/day) can improve endothelial function, and sleep restriction therapy is recommended to address insomnia issues.
Cell therapy and regenerative medicine have become research focuses, with mesenchymal stem cell transplantation trials showing potential to promote angiogenesis and repair myocardial damage. Gene therapy targeting familial hypercholesterolemia and other hereditary heart diseases, along with CRISPR technology, may offer future solutions for repairing pathogenic genes.
The application of artificial intelligence in treatment decision-making is gradually becoming widespread, with machine learning models able to predict patients' risk of readmission, improving the accuracy of personalized treatment plans by over 20%. Wearable devices that monitor electrocardiograms and physiological data in real-time will become an important part of telemedicine.
New lipid-lowering drugs such as PCSK9 inhibitors can reduce low-density lipoprotein levels by 60%, suitable for patients intolerant to statins. SGLT2 inhibitors, originally used for diabetes, have now been found to improve survival rates in heart failure patients, reflecting a trend of cross-disciplinary drug repurposing.
Immediate medical attention should be sought if experiencing typical angina, shortness of breath, or unexplained dizziness. Worsening of existing symptoms (e.g., chest pain lasting more than 15 minutes at rest) or the presence of cold sweats, nausea, etc., may indicate an acute myocardial infarction. If blood pressure remains poorly controlled (above 140/90 mmHg) or severe edema in both lower limbs occurs after treatment, a reassessment of the treatment plan is necessary.
Patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or hypertension are advised to undergo comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessments every 3-6 months. If experiencing arrhythmia symptoms (e.g., rapid heartbeat, irregular intervals) or fatigue with mild activity, echocardiograms and hormone level tests should be arranged. Individuals over 60 years old or with a family history of early-onset heart disease should undergo coronary artery calcium (CAC) screening every six months.
Doctors will decide on the treatment method based on the severity of the patient's condition and the location of vascular obstruction. Medication therapy is suitable for mild symptoms or postoperative maintenance, while severe coronary artery stenosis may require angioplasty or bypass surgery. Regular follow-up examinations are key criteria for selecting treatment methods.
How should heart disease patients adjust their fat intake in their diet?Trans fats and saturated fats, such as those found in fried foods and organ meats, should be avoided. It is recommended to use sources of monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil and fatty fish. Additionally, controlling total caloric intake and incorporating high-fiber foods to lower cholesterol can significantly improve cardiovascular health.
How long after catheterization can I resume daily activities?Generally, patients can get out of bed 24 hours after angioplasty, but they should avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for at least a week. Doctors will adjust the rehabilitation plan based on postoperative recovery, and patients should follow instructions and return for regular check-ups to ensure proper healing of the vascular site.
Can long-term stress affect the effectiveness of heart disease treatment?Psychological stress can induce platelet aggregation and increase blood pressure, adding burden to the heart. It is recommended to manage stress through mindfulness meditation, regular exercise, or counseling. Studies show that effectively alleviating stress can enhance treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of recurrence, thus emphasizing the importance of both psychological adjustment and medical treatment.
What preventive measures should individuals with a family history of heart disease take?It is recommended to undergo electrocardiograms and lipid checks every six months starting at age 40, and to reduce risk through a low-sodium, low-fat diet and 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week. Quitting smoking and controlling blood sugar and blood pressure are equally important, as early intervention can significantly delay disease progression, effectively preventing even with genetic predisposition.
%201.svg)
Copyright © 2025 MedFrontiers. All Rights Reserved.
