Heart disease treatment

Treatment of heart disease includes emergency care for acute events, long‑term medication, procedures when indicated, and lifestyle modification. **Emergency care** – For a heart attack or unstable symptoms call emergency services. Initial measures may include oxygen, pain control, blood‑thinning agents and rapid opening of the blocked artery with percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty and stent) or coronary artery bypass grafting if needed. **Long‑term medical therapy** – Goals are to lower LDL/ApoB (statin first‑line, add ezetimibe or a PCSK9 inhibitor if needed), control blood pressure (ACE‑inhibitor, ARB, calcium‑channel blocker, etc.), use antiplatelet agents such as aspirin after a stent or myocardial infarction, beta‑blockers after MI or for angina/heart failure, and heart‑failure specific drugs (ARNI, SGLT2 inhibitor, mineralocorticoid‑receptor antagonist, diuretics). Additional agents are used for specific problems: nitrates for angina, anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation with stroke risk, and other drugs as appropriate. **Procedures** – Percutaneous coronary intervention (stent) or coronary artery bypass surgery are performed based on coronary anatomy and ischemia testing. Valve disease may require repair or replacement, rhythm disorders may need pacemakers, implantable cardioverter‑defibrillators or catheter ablation, and advanced heart‑failure may require left‑ventricular assist device or heart transplantation. **Lifestyle and risk‑factor control** – Cardiac rehabilitation, regular aerobic activity (150 – 300 min/week) plus strength training 2–3 days, a heart‑healthy diet (Mediterranean‑style, plant‑based, beans, nuts, fish, limit refined carbs, saturated fat, and ghee; use unsaturated oils), smoking cessation, adequate sleep, stress management, and maintaining a waist‑to‑height ratio < 0.5. Target numbers are LDL < 70 mg/dL (consider < 55 mg/dL for very high risk), blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg, and optimal diabetes control (A1c as appropriate). These measures reduce symptoms, prevent future heart attacks, heart failure, stroke and death. This information is general education and not a personalized treatment plan.