Q: I had undergone heart surgery (bypass) at Chandigarh in Nov. 1998. Three arteries were blocked 90%. In Feb 2002, all arteries on left side again show blockage as per angiography. Doctor advises for another operation since he could not do angioplasty, due to blockage. Presently I have unstable angina pain mild and I am having medicines. I want to avoid another operation. Is there any medicine which will open blockage?

A:There are no medicines which can deblock chronically blocked arteries. However, it is recognised that life style alterations and specially lowering of serum lipids specially low density lipoproeins does have an ameliorating effect and is currently widely practiced - specially the use of statins (a group of lipid lowering drugs).