Q: My father had a third stroke and a mild heart attack last month. He also suffers from diabetes and was treated at a hospital. Following the MRI scan, the doctor siad that angioplasty needs to be done as there is some thickening in the artery but also felt that the procedure posed a big risk. Can you advise me what would be the better and safer way to deal with this? Will yoga be the right remedy for this?

A:Angiography is a low risk procedure for treating coronary artery disease. But it is not a “no risk” procedure especially when your father had three strokes and has diabetes. There must be compelling findings in a coronary angiogram and patient’s history of severe angina to justify the procedure. Your reference to MRI scan and “mild heart attack” does not provide the needed information. I am unable to comment on the place of yoga in your father’s treatment.