Heart Health

I was reading "is Heart Surgery Worth it?" From Business Week, and I would like to add a few comments to John Carey's critique of heart surgery.Heart surgery seems to be becoming more and more of a plastic surgery maneuver these days.

First off, it's the patients. When those who can afford face-lifts for their pet rocks begin wheezing going up the stairs, they opt for surgery rather than drug treatment and self-aware rehabilitation. Of course! Why not put some metal into your body instead of taking the time and responsibility to make a change in your own daily habits. The surgery is a quick fix that allows people to play doctor God, and in the meantime, get rid of the pain so they can continue to lounge about on their couches and eat their roast beef. They have only put a stopper in the drain with surgery, and soon the fat build-up and lack of responsibility will lead them back into surgery because these procedures are temporary. If you do not solve your problem yourself after the surgery, the fat will build up again. Hence the term "artery-clogging".

One thing is that not all people know there are alternatives to surgery, and here's an area where the doctors are failing. They are so enthusiastic about surgery that they are not empowering the patients with the knowledge of drug therapies and self-conducted methods. A lot of people are also too afraid to take the step. They aren't provided with a feeling of network. There are some doctors who are willing to provide that connection to networks and resources that will educate, instruct and encourage people to change their lifestyles and daily habits just enough to save themselves.

Surgery is not necessarily producing better results. But learning more about your body and how to care for it every day you live with yourself will.