Note that the article says bypass surgeries and stents are still considered life saving for heart attacks and main coronary blockages but likely unnecessary otherwise, since the outcomes for drug regimens and improved lifestyles are just as good for those other cases. Furthermore the doubt cast on drug/lifestyle regimens (they patients won’t stick to it) is also called out here as false since the drug regimen for stents can be more intensive.
My additional take away is that it is good for people to maintain healthy skepticism about our medical system, its incentives, and the accuracy of our current knowledge.
I think it's more the lifestyle choices than the medications that are the difficult things to stick with, regardless of surgery/non-surgery pathway. A few pills in the morning is nothing compared to the continuous discipline needed to stick to both an exercise regime and major diet changes.
My additional take away is that it is good for people to maintain healthy skepticism about our medical system, its incentives, and the accuracy of our current knowledge.