What is the main treatment modality for a severe arterial blockage?

Severe arterial blockage often leads to significant impairment in blood flow, which can result in serious cardiovascular complications such as angina, myocardial infarction, or even heart failure. The main treatment modality in such cases is angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Angioplasty involves inserting a balloon into the blocked artery and inflating it to widen the artery, often accompanied by the placement of a stent to keep it open. This is a minimally invasive procedure that can restore blood flow effectively. CABG, on the other hand, involves creating a bypass around the blocked vessel using a graft from another part of the body. This method can be more effective for multiple blockages or more complex cases.

While medication management, lifestyle changes, and cardiac rehabilitation are important components of overall cardiovascular care and may be effective for managing less severe blockages or for secondary prevention, they do not address the immediate need to restore blood flow in cases of severe blockage. Medications may help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of further complications, but they cannot reverse an acute arterial obstruction. Lifestyle changes are essential for long-term heart health but are generally not sufficient to treat severe blockages on their own. Cardiac rehabilitation is valuable for recovery and improving heart health post