A new study carried out by the researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has claimed that the number of patients undergoing heart bypass surgery have fallen dramatically. The decline in the number indicates that fewer patients were diagnosed with severe heart problems. The researchers have also revealed that there was a 15% reduction in the procedures to clear coronary blockages between the same periods.

The researchers have found that the number of patients receiving bypass surgery has declined by 40% between 2001 and 2008. Researchers believe that another reason of the decline could be that many patients with blocked arteries opt for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) instead of heart bypass surgery. In this type of surgery, a wire mesh structure called a stent is left in the heart to prevent the artery from narrowing again.

Despite the reduction in the number of heart bypass surgery patients, the researchers advise that bypass surgery, medically known as coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG is a great option for patients with certain severe blockages.

The researchers have said that the main reason behind the reduction in the number of heart patients could be a drop in smoking rates and ultimately less coronary artery disease.