The lesser known sister of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) involves clogging of the arteries around the body -- often in the legs. The two conditions often go hand in hand, but researchers have recently reported that, of the two, patients with PAD often fare worse.

Researchers based their findings on comparisons of CAD patients who underwent coronary angioplasty and PAD patients who underwent a variety of surgical interventions such as abdominal aortic surgery and lower limb reconstruction. The annual mortality rate for PAD patients was 5.7% -- 2.7% higher that than for CAD patients.

Researchers state that PAD patients are less likely to receive medication for their condition. The undertreatment could be the cause of the higher mortality rate.

Source

I know few people who haven't had surgery -- whether they're young or old, many of my friends and family members have gone under the knife for some reason or another (I haven't, though.) It seems like surgery is a way of life these days, even though it's invasive and very hard on the body. AOL Health has put together a list of surgeries that you should consider a last resort. That is, look into other options and get second opinions before going into the OR before going into the OR:

• Spinal Surgery
• Hysterectomy
• Angioplasty
• Knee Arthroscopy

For more information on why you should be wary and what you should consider instead, check out the full article.

Source

When I come across health articles that seem a bit extremist or unrealistic, alarm bells tend to go off. I think that there are a lot of warnings about a lot of things out there that, in truth, pose minimal risk to most of the population. While warnings against smoking and information about skin cancer protection make sense, I tend to wonder if there's really a need for so many scary reports on things like Avian flu and West Nile virus. I felt the same way when I found this piece about unnecessary surgery.

The article mentions that, for various reasons, a number of people out there are going under the knife needlessly. They're either having surgeries that are more extreme than what their condition warrants, or could be trying successful alternative therapies first instead of having an operation. The four most common unnecessary procedures performed are spinal surgery, knee arthroscopy, hysterectomy and angioplasty.

I don't know what to believe to be honest. The article does say that many times these surgeries are needed and offer significant results -- but not always. I think the most important thing to always remember is to stand up for yourself when it comes to your health. If you're unsure about an initial diagnosis, don't be afraid to get a second opinion. And always research all possible options and get lots of advice before undergoing a major operation.

Source

If you've gone in for that balloon angioplasty to help clear those arteries, a new study says that most of them are unneeded because drugs are just as effective.

This new research will surely be quite controversial since over half a million patients undergo surgery each year to have angioplasties performed and those procedures are one of the most common practices in heart care. To state that most of them are unnecessary will raise a few eyebrows for sure.

This study's results found that surgical angioplasties did not save lives or prevent heart attacks in non-emergency heart patients. Hospitals and doctors should worry I suppose -- about those profit margins more than anything.

Source

Health care is an ever-developing industry, and new research is constantly challenging the wisdom of old research. This is, of course, a good thing. But it can also be a frustrating thing if, as a patient, you get caught in the middle of a "learning curve." One such learning curve seems to be happening now, as new data suggests that millions of people are receiving angioplasty procedures either too soon in the course of treatment, or in some cases, completely unnecessarily.

Today the majority of angioplasties are done in a non-emergent setting to relieve chest pain and clogged arteries, but experts are now saying that in the situations where there is no imminent threat medications should be tried first. They expect many people will recover without needing the invasive procedure at all.

Source

Yesterday, Former President Gerald Ford underwent a successful angioplasty procedure at the Mayo Clinic. During the artery-clearing surgery, two stents were placed in two coronary arteries to increase blood flow. President Ford, 93, is said to be resting comfortably after the surgery.

This is the second surgery for Ford in a week. On Monday, he had a pacemaker implanted. He's been at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota since mid-August. Ford became the nation's oldest living former president after the death of Ronald Reagan in 2004.

Source