Q: My father is 78 years old and he is diabetic for more than 10 years. His blood pressure and other clinical tests are normal. He developed pain in the heart and investigations, from ECG and Angiogram, revealed that he has 6-7 blocks for which only bypass surgery is the solution or to continue with some tablets. Please suggest me on this as we are not able to decide on this as he is 78 years old and there is risk during bypass at this age.

A:Coronary artery bypass surgery is the preferred, especially in diabetics. However the risk of surgery has to be certainly considered as an important issue for decision making. I would suggest that the problem should be discussed with the surgeon who is to operate. In the meantime, aggressive medical treatment and risk reduction should be maintained should be undertaken under the consultants guidance.