Hearts Can Be Fooled In Love And Surgery

Heart patients may now need to ask their doctor to "Show me some love." Today, more than 1.5 million heart procedures are performed annually, but unless heart patients are in the throws of a heart attack, one study shows that their survival after these procedures is no greater than if they choose non-invasive options.

Over the years, indications for heart procedures have increased while there is no evidence that the intervention actually prevents a heart attack. In fact, an advisory panel to the FDA noted in 2006 that stents can sometimes make matters worse.

In Part Four of The Early Show series "Heart Score," Dr. Michael Ozner, a preventative cardiologist from Baptist Health South Florida, and author of The Great American Hoax spoke with The Early Show's (BLAH BLAH BLAH) about his research.

"cardiologist thinking flawed…plumbing…."Dr. Ozner told BLAH. "doctors are rewarded for procedures, not for talking to their patients." Expensive stents are covered by most insurance policies while options such as exercise "as a consumer you really neeed to ask your doctor three questions"

1) Is this going to prolong my life or prevent future heart attacks?

2) What are the risks?

3) Are there alternatives

When a patient exhibits symptoms associated with a heart attack, interventional procedures can be life-saving. But a build up of arterial plaque may mean surgery is unnecessary or even harmful to patients.

Stable heart patients who take medications such as statins, beta blockers combined with lifestyle changes in diet, exercise, stress management and smoking habits can reduce their heart attack risk by 80%.