Angioplasty, in my mind, should not be an elective procedure. It is risky - about 1 in 200 people die from it. If your arterial diameter is 60% open or more, then the likelihood of being symptomatic is low. If the arterial diameter is 80% restricted and you're dizzy, heart palpitations, tired and out of breath, then angioplasty may be for you as the benefits of angioplasty far outweigh the dangers.

I'd rather see people prevent getting the procedure in the first place. If we can keep your pipes clean and free of cholesterol and calcium build-up, then angioplasty won't even be an issue.

However, if it is an issue, then let me say a couple things.

I recommend looking at your angiograph shots - take a peek. Look at those vessels - are they more than 60% closed off? No? You're not symptomatic and feel fine? Then, in my opinion, hold off. Try to eliminate the plaque buildup naturally.

Most cardiologists will not send you in for angioplasty anyhow if you're under 60% narrowed. Even if you're 70% narrowed and you're not showing signs or symptoms, educate yourself on what angioplasty is before you jump in with both feet.

What is angioplasty?

It is when the docs put a wire into your femoral artery with a ballon on the end. They track it up to where the vessel narrowing is, push the wire into the narrowing and pump up the ballon. The ballon smashes the plaque up onto the sides of the blood vessel and out from the lumen of the artery. This allows the blood to freely flow by once again nourishing your tissues. Sounds great! It is when your vessels are very occluded - it is more then great. It is necessary.

But what happens then? Now your blood is flowing by once again but the plaque hasn't been removed. Remember where it is? It just moved from the middle of your blood vessel to the walls of it. What goes to say that it will stay there? Not much.

Docs are also putting stents in but those clog back up as well.

So what to do? If you truely need a stent or angioplasty - then by all means - go for it. This medical procedure has saved countless lives and will continue to do so.

The problem is many doctors don't tell you some vital information.

This vital information is lifestyle change and diet; the four words that many people hate to hear. But I belive the four words of "lifestyle change and diet" are far better than "your vessel closed again."

The cardiologists can save your life with angioplasty or inserting stents. However, keeping that procedure working is up to you. You control what goes into your mouth and into your arteries.

I will provide healthy information on this subject tomorrow.

Till then - be well.

In health,
Ben