PHILADELPHIA — Stents and coronary artery bypass surgery are no more effective than intensive drug treatment and better health habits in preventing millions of Americans from heart attacks and death, a large study found, shedding new light on a major controversy in cardiology. Researchers and doctors have fiercely debated for years how best to treat people who have narrowed coronary arteries but aren’t suffering acute symptoms. SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST BRIEFLY KILLS NEW JERSEY MAN, 23; HYPOTHERMIA USED TO PREVENT BRAIN DAMAGEThe standard treatment has been to implant stents—wire mesh tubes that open up clogged arteries—or to perform bypass surgery, redirecting blood around a blockage. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPBut stents or bypass surgery work better than medicine and lifestyle changes alone in relieving symptoms for people who have frequent angina, or chest pain, the researchers found. The findings, released Saturday at the American Heart Association’s annual scientific conference, should prompt more discussion between patients and their doctors about treatment, she said.

Source: Fox News November 17, 2019 05:26 UTC