Abi=0.6, surgeon says inoperable due to length of blockage & rec'd med & exercise, but he'll do surgery if it's worse.so confusing-why wait til worse?

Risk factors: Dean ornish, in his book, "eat more, weigh less", pointed out years ago that, by treating cardiovascular risk factors with diet, exercise and the proper medications, one can halt and even reverse arteriosclerosis. So, if diet, exercise and medication improves your circulation, it may save you from surgery.

More to the story...: First, no blockage is too long. We have to look at the symptoms caused by the blockage when we determine how aggressively to treat it. An abi of 0.6 is not too bad, and unlikely to be causing tissue loss (which would be the main reason for a long bypass) -- if you are just having claudication pain, then exercise is often just as good as an intervention in the long run.

Arterial Disease: The decision on whether to do surgery is typically based on the severity of the patient's symptoms rather than the length of the blockage. If significant pain in the leg / foot that is limiting quality of life (rest pain) or if ulcers / wounds / gangrene than would do surgery regardless of length of blockage. Abi of 0.6 at rest is significant. Consider a second opinion from a vascular surgeons.