Ischemic Heart Disease Treatment: A Complete Guide to Recovery and Care

Heart disease remains the world’s biggest killer, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) is at the center of it all. But it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. With powerful treatment options, cutting-edge therapies, and smart lifestyle changes, you can increase your chances of survival.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the basics of the disease, available treatment options, and how you can access world-class care abroad.

Understanding the basics of ischemic heart disease

Before diving into treatment, let's first understand what we’re dealing with.

What is ischemic heart disease (IHD)?

Ischemic heart disease occurs if your heart doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen. It happens when your coronary arteries (the ones supplying blood to your heart) become narrowed due to plaque buildup. This is often caused by a condition called atherosclerosis.

In the early stages, you might not feel anything. But as the blockage gets worse, your heart may struggle to function properly. This can lead to symptoms like:

• Chest pain (angina)

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Irregular heartbeat

• Heart attack in severe cases

Though rare, sometimes IHD doesn’t show any symptoms, which is known as silent ischemic heart disease.

Did you know? Ischemic heart disease topped the list of global killers in 2021, causing around 13% of all deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

What is the main cause of ischemic heart disease?

The primary reason behind IHD is atherosclerosis, where narrowed arteries restrict blood flow to the heart. However, there are several risk factors that contribute to the development of ischemic heart disease. Some of these are uncontrollable, such as:

• Age

• Genetics

• Family history

On the other hand, many risk factors are modifiable, meaning they can be managed through lifestyle changes. These include:

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Smoking

• Diabetes

• Obesity (Excessive weight)

• Lack of physical activity

• Unhealthy diet, including trans fats, sugar, and processed foods

If you're concerned about your heart health, don't wait. Get in touch with QCG to schedule a consultation and explore your treatment options.

Treatment options for ischemic heart disease (IHD)

Now that we know what it is, let’s explore how it’s treated. Treatment for IHD depends on how severe the disease is and how much damage has been done to the heart.

Typically, it is multifaceted, involving lifestyle changes, medications, and in some cases, surgical or procedural interventions. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, improve blood flow to the heart, and prevent heart attacks or other major complications.

Lifestyle modifications

Making simple changes to your lifestyle is a powerful way to manage ischemic heart disease (IHD). Even with medications, these changes can help slow the disease and improve your heart health.

Here are some habits you should adopt:

• Stop smoking since it is one of the major risk factors of IHD and can contribute to the worsening of the condition.

• Adopt a heart-healthy diet. For instance, a Mediterranean-style diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (like fish), and healthy fats (like olive oil), can help improve cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation in the arteries.

• Get active. Exercise helps strengthen your heart, control blood pressure, and manage your weight. But before starting a workout routine, check with your doctor, especially if you have existing heart conditions.

• Manage stress. High stress levels may cause high blood pressure, which eventually leads to poor heart health. Find ways to relax, such as through meditation, to keep stress levels normal.

• Shed some pounds if you’re obese to reduce strain on your heart. A healthy weight can also help control risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol.

These lifestyle changes, though simple, can make a huge difference and help manage ischemic heart disease and improve treatment outcomes.

Medications

Medications are central to the treatment of ischemic heart disease. They can help reduce symptoms and improve blood flow to the heart, lowering the risk of heart attacks.

Commonly used medications are:

1. Life-extending medications

These medications may extend life by preventing heart attacks and improving heart function. They include:

• Aspirin

Low-dose aspirin helps reduce the risk of blood clot formation.

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

These medications can help relax and widen blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood. This lowers blood pressure, reduces the heart's workload, and helps prevent further damage.

• Statins

These drugs lower cholesterol levels, which helps reduce plaque buildup in the arteries and prevents further narrowing.

• Beta-blockers

They reduce the heart's workload by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure, helping prevent chest pain and future heart attacks.

2. Symptom-relief medications

If you’re dealing with chest pain (angina) or other symptoms, the following medications are used to provide relief:

• Nitrates

These help dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart, reducing chest pain.

• Calcium channel blockers

These drugs help relax the arteries and reduce the oxygen demand of the heart.

• Ranolazine

This medicine helps reduce the stress on heart cells by controlling calcium levels within the cells. It can help lower chest pain and also improve exercise tolerance

Revascularization: Procedures to restore blood flow

When medications and lifestyle changes are not enough, revascularization procedures may be recommended to restore adequate blood flow to the heart. Two primary methods include:

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

Commonly known as angioplasty, PCI involves inserting a thin tube (catheter) into the narrowed artery, where a balloon is inflated to widen the artery and improve blood flow. Often, a stent (a small metal mesh tube) is placed to keep the artery open and prevent it from narrowing again.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

CABG is a surgical procedure in which blood vessels are taken from other parts of the body (usually the chest, legs, or arms) and grafted to bypass the blocked coronary arteries, creating new pathways for blood to reach the heart.

Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP): An alternative approach

If someone has ongoing chest pain (refractory angina) and can't undergo procedures like stents or bypass surgery, EECP might be an option. It’s a non-surgical, painless treatment where special cuffs are wrapped around your legs. These cuffs gently squeeze and release in time with your heartbeat.

This helps improve blood flow to the heart and can reduce chest pain. Evidence suggests that EECP can help people feel better, exercise more comfortably, and improve their quality of life for up to a year.

New and emerging treatments

Science is always evolving, and so are treatment options. Here are some advanced therapies researchers are exploring to treat heart disease and failure:

1. Stem cell therapy

Some studies suggest stem cells can regenerate damaged heart tissue. While still experimental, results are promising.

2. Gene therapy

Researchers are exploring ways to use gene-editing tools to correct the root causes of atherosclerosis. It's still in early stages, but it offers hope for the future.

3. PCSK9 inhibitors

These are injectable drugs that drastically lower LDL cholesterol. They’re especially useful in patients who don’t respond to statins.

According to research, these drugs reduce heart attack risk by 15% when added to statin therapy.

How long can you live with ischemic heart disease (IHD)?

Many people with ischemic heart disease live full, active lives with proper care. Life expectancy depends on several factors:

• How early the disease is diagnosed

• How well risk factors are managed

• Adherence to medications and lifestyle changes

• Presence of other health conditions (like diabetes or kidney disease)

A study reports that early detection of heart disease can lower the risk of death by 7%. In addition, controlling risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight can also help in survival. Plus, by sticking to medicines and healthy lifestyle habits, you can live a stable and longer life.

Be sure to keep track of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. And follow up with your doctor regularly.

Ischemic heart disease treatment abroad

Exploring treatment for ischemic heart disease abroad has become a popular option, and for good reason. Many countries now offer world-class heart care, often at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S., UK, or other Western nations.

As we all know, healthcare can be expensive. And in many cases, waiting lists for procedures like bypass surgery or angioplasty can be painfully long. But when you go abroad, you not only get timely care, but also access to the latest technology, personalized treatment plans, and expert heart surgeons.

Here are some countries that are well-known for advanced cardiac care:

• India

Hospitals like Fortis Escorts, Apollo, and Max Healthcare offer advanced heart surgeries at affordable prices. Many doctors are internationally trained and speak fluent English.

• Thailand

Bumrungrad International in Bangkok is one of Asia’s top hospitals, offering robotic heart surgery, minimally invasive techniques, and luxurious recovery suites.

• Germany

Known for precision and cutting-edge medical technology. Hospitals like Charité and Heidelberg Heart Center are top choices for complex surgeries.

• Singapore

Offers high standards of healthcare, with hospitals like Mount Elizabeth and National Heart Centre Singapore ranked among the best in Asia.

• Turkey

Rapidly growing as a hub for affordable cardiac procedures with modern facilities in cities like Istanbul.

Things to keep in mind

• Always choose hospitals that are JCI-accredited (Joint Commission International)

• Make sure you understand the total cost, including travel and stay

• Find out whether your insurance will pay for medical care you get overseas

Thinking about going abroad for heart treatment? QCG offers expert guidance to help you navigate the process and connect with trusted hospitals worldwide.

Bottom line

Ischemic heart disease can be a life-altering diagnosis, but it’s not a dead end. With early detection, the right mix of lifestyle changes, medications, and advanced treatment options, whether at home or abroad, managing the condition is absolutely possible.

And with global healthcare access expanding, you’re no longer limited to your local options. At Quality Care Global (QCG), we can guide you toward world-class care that fits your needs and budget. The key is to act early, stay informed, and take control of your heart health.