The hidden threat after heart bypass — and the new treatment that could save thousands

(BPT) - For the hundreds of thousands of Americans who undergo heart bypass surgery each year, the relief of surviving such a major procedure is often shadowed by one sobering fact: The risk of another heart attack or stroke still lingers.

Bypass surgery reroutes blood flow around blocked arteries, but it doesn't stop the underlying disease; atherosclerosis , the buildup of plaque and inflammation inside artery walls. This process continues even after surgery, keeping the danger alive. Now, groundbreaking new research shows that adding a small daily pill — low-dose colchicine, 0.5 mg — can make a life-saving difference.

A breakthrough in post-bypass care

In a newly published study , researchers found that patients who added low-dose colchicine to their standard therapy after bypass