Severe stenosis

[jojo250274]

Hi there I’m Jo. 44 years old. I have been having chest pain for around 10 months now and heart disease is in my family. Any way I have had a coronary CT and it said the images weren’t good but there is significant or severe stenosis in mid LAD. I’m shocked and thinking I’m a ticking time bomb! I’m awaiting invasive investigation which I assume will be an angiogram. Any one give me some advice? Anyone had this? Is heart attack imminent??

[jimmyq]

Hi Jo and welcome aboard. If a heart attack was imminent they would have kept you in hospital. When they do the investigations if something needs doing straight away they will do it. Try not to worry. It has been caught before you have had a heart attack. You are in good hands.

People on here are very helpful. If you need more support you can call the BHF Heart Helpline on 0300 330 3311.

[jojo250274 in reply to jimmyq]

Thanks Jimmy. I work in critical care and I have spoken to my matron and she said the same thing. They wouldn’t have let me go home. I’m up and down. Worrying one minute and ok about it the next

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi jo, as Jimmy says you would have been kept in had you been in danger. The angiogram will give a better idea of what and how to treat you.

Take care Mark

[Roamie in reply to skid112]

Been there 4 weeks ago, yes angiogram next probably.

R

[jojo250274 in reply to Roamie]

What happened to you roamie if you don’t mind me asking

[Roamie in reply to jojo250274]

I went to the doctors thinking that I had a slight chest infection on February 20th this year. She arranged for me to go in to AMU in hospital. I was admitted at midnight after lots of tests. I was discharged on Thursday the 22nd having been told that I had Aortic stenosis and needed a weeks holiday in Papworth.

Over the next period of weeks I had ultrasound, CT, echoes, angiogram etc. and now have been told that the shopping list has expanded and I need triple heart bypass, aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair or replacement. This is now a six hour operation, and it appears that I might have to wait 4 months for it to be done at Papworth, although I might get a last-minute cancellation before then.

Back in 2017 I had 2 failed shoulder operations, which I was told would need a reverse shoulder replacement to sort out.

Then in January was told that my hip had severe osteoarthritis, and it would be replaced at the Spire under NHS in April, which had to be done before the shoulder! However the antics from February have now postponed both, but I had a phone call on Friday offering me a date for the hip replacement – I don't think that that will be happening anytime soon, unfortunately!

So I am waiting…

[jojo250274 in reply to Roamie]

OMG I’m so sorry. Will keep everything crossed for you xx

[Roamie in reply to jojo250274]

On the big plus side, I have a wonderful partner who has taken up all my slack..my horse down the road at a farm, my German Shepherd for constant company, a wild garden full of birds singing and feeding babies, seeds growing, sunshine, no work, and some brilliant friends all mucking in..everything to try and keep me sane. X

[controlcause]

I hope you modified or in the process of modifying your lifestyle last 10 months . There are several methods to control your health via diet,excercise,sleep and stress management

[jojo250274 in reply to controlcause]

Hi. I have stopped drinking and following a diet recommended by BHF. I have never smoked

[gunnerred67]

Hi JoJo, don't be afraid of the angiogram. It is hardly invasive and I personally found it painless. All the medical team were fantastic.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to gunnerred67]

No procedure is risk free. Every patient should be able to make an informed considered choice before they sign the consent form. The exception is in an emergency when this is waived for good reason

Angiograms can rarely cause coronary artery spasms which I can tell you are very painful.

nhs.uk/conditions/angiograp...

[CarolW2121]

JoJo I had an angiogram recently and I promise you the fear of the procedure was more painful and traumatic than the procedure itself. The team at Ipswich hospital were amazing. I felt nothing at all ..... no pain, nothing. I’m claustrophobic so the most awful thing was the camera coming so close to my face but that was it.

I was diagnosed with heart problems in early March ..... I know what you mean about ticking time bomb, it’s terrifying. But I’m still here, moving boxes and belongings as I move house. Learn to listen to your body, treat it kindly when it asks for it.

I made huge changes in my diet and have lost weight, which can only help.

We are fragile creatures when we are frightened but speak with your GP if you need to, ask for counselling if you feel it would help. Above all please try not to worry too much, which I know sounds ridiculous.

Do you have high blood pressure and high cholesterol?

Big hugs xx

[jojo250274 in reply to CarolW2121]

Hi Carol. Thanks for your reply. I do have high blood pressure. And I’m already on statins. When I had the CT my BP was text book. My cousin died at 50 from heart failure that’s what is scaring me. But I have totally changed eating. I’m still not sure what I am allowed to do in terms of exercise but I do walk 8000-10000 steps a day at work. I have great support at work. Just a waiting game I guess

[CarolW2121 in reply to jojo250274]

Focus on you ..... your body is unique and doesn’t mean the same hung will happen because it’s happened to relatives. My father had heart problems, as does my older sister. Her first heart attach was 18 years ago and she’s still alive.

If you’re doing that many steps a day it’s great, walking is so good for you because it low impact

Let us know how you get on xx

[CarolW2121 in reply to CarolW2121]

Same thing ..... not same hung!

[Roamie in reply to jojo250274]

How are you doing, are you still at work? It seems as though you have one of the hidden illnesses? Have you now asked your doctor exactly what excercise you could/should do?

Keep your spirits up, best wishes, above all don't worry, stress damages your peace of mind!

R

[jojo250274 in reply to Roamie]

Hi Roamie. Yes I’m still at work. I had a TIA 4 years ago which I feel was never investigated properly. From then I lost 5 stone, was put on aspirin, statin and BP meds. My GP said walking only. I was doing Zumba weekly but have stopped

[Roamie in reply to jojo250274]

5 stone, christmas. Have they any plans for you, or is it just..keep taking the meds? Take care.

[jojo250274 in reply to Roamie]

The latest letter said invasive assessment which I think will be an angiogram. Have to see consultant 20th June

[Roamie in reply to jojo250274]

Hopefully, that means that they are not overly concerned. I have written somewhere else on this page about my angiogram. Don't worry about it, it is a little weird, but if you can bring yourself to look at the screen, (and ask the doctor to explain it, which I forgot to do), it is very interesting.

R

[jojo250274 in reply to Roamie]

My original consultant left and I’m under a new one. I think that’s why there’s a delay

[gunnerred67 in reply to CarolW2121]

Hi carol. I must have been so tired having hardly slept the two previous days I slept right through the procedure and had to be woken up, where they showed me the picture of the blocked artery before and after.

[Plum53]

Hi Jo I know how you are feeling it's very scary and I too thought I was a ticking time bomb. Try not to worry I have 80% blockage in mid/low LAD which is being treated by medication . The blood flow is good I was told. That was Nov 16. Wait and see what angiogram shows( don't worry they are fine) like me you may be given medication as they may feel your narrowing is not too bad or if you need stent they may do that at the same time. I'm sorry you are going through this worry but it will get better once you know what's happening and then grow more confident. Please keep us informed. Xx

[Shivvyxx]

Hi jo, i was told the same after the scan severe stenosis in all alteries including left main stem, a couple of weeks later had angiogram, was actually alright, worried for nothing about it,, afterwards doc came round and said yes you do have have disease but not as bad as we thought. We will treat it aggressively with meds rather than steps, hope this helps x

[jojo250274 in reply to Shivvyxx]

That’s reassuring. Thanks. Do they keep in touch when you are on meds? My GP is pretty useless

[Shivvyxx in reply to jojo250274]

Hi jojo, yes will be seeing cardiologist again to.discuss findings but because it shown it wasnt "as serious" as expected be back in hands of docs as the medicate you, am on bisoporol 5mg aspirin amolopodine ramipril and rouvastatin so need to be monitored and bloods done every 3 mths to check liver function, if your not happy or getting the answers you want from your doc ask to see another one, i did and shes really good, hope this helps x

[jojo250274 in reply to Shivvyxx]

Thanks hun. Yes very helpful. This site is amazing x

[Roamie in reply to jojo250274]

Once you have gone past the GP to cardiologist, I found that the GP is out of the loop, but keep them on side anyway to chivvy the cardiologist if needed, which is what I am doing!

I get my GP to make a copy of each letter, report and every piece of info that they have on you - it's really good for reference.

R

[jojo250274]

Thanks Plum. Everyone on here is so helpful and your advice is helping me. So I may not even need a stent?

[Hidden]

Hi jojo, sorry to here of your troubles. You've came to the right place! I agree with other people here when they say you would certainly have been admitted if you were in immediate risk of having a heart attack. I was 42 when I was diagnosed with IHD. My doctor sent me to hospital with extremely high BP, and I was admitted straight away. I had an aniogram the next day, which concluded that I needed 2 stents, which I had inserted at the same time. Over the years i've had a further 5 stents, which included the LAD, which was totally occulded. I understand when you say that you feel like a ticking time bomb, I remember feeling that too. I also remember the shock of being diagnosed with this at such a young age, before I would have thought this was an old person’s disease! Almost 6 years on and life is good. A few modifications to lifestyle, and listening to the advice given has meant I can get on with life. I wish you well on your journey, and please do keep us informed. Be kind to yourself.💜

[jojo250274 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Bee. So glad to here these positive outcomes. I work on ITU so I see cardio patients with all different problems and I just envisioned me in one of those beds. Crazy.

[clarehealsworldwide in reply to jojo250274]

Hi jojo, I'm another lady with similar problems. After my angiogram & echocardiogram my conditions have been improved with medication.

Best of luck. Clare

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi jojo,

You see the worse case scenario many of us are walking around living as well as possible with our heart conditions you never see us!

It is not just the blockage that is important it is how it impacts on the flow of your blood through your coronary blood vessels.

An angiogram will help the Cardiologist to decide what is the best treatment for you.

You also have been given the opportunity to make the necessary life style adjustments which you are already doing to help prevent further more serious problems. These are just as important as taking the tablets.

Working in ITU will be very stressful and I hope you are able to find effective ways to manage this stress.

Yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, swimming, walking and exercise in general and spending time just being and finding someone to listen can be helpful.

Good luck

[jojo250274 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you xx

[Kimstyles]

I was 57 when my aortic sternpost went into server , and became emergency ,

What I noticed was I was getting fussy just getting up from a chair , my neck throbbed , I should just gone to ED , I had thought I fainted but it was a synoptic , i then became an emergency , looking back I should hone in to hospital when u was sissy just standing up , and my neck was throbbing , but I was worried that was over reacting !!! Doh , oh then I was silly phoned 111 my consultant said I should phone 999 . I just didn’t want to be a nuisance how silly , that was so foolish .

Any way was in critical bed fir two weeks had investigation , I had aortic valve replaced and CABGS . I went for mechanical valve but if I went back in time I would opted for bolvine . I have problems with Warfarin and I don’t like how Warfarin stopped my having g surgery , u less it’s absolute emergency , it just personal

[Roamie in reply to Kimstyles]

It looks as though you have done everything before me!

I have had bovine tissue valve recommended. I must say that I was not offered mechanical valve, but since hearing about ticking/clicking and warfarin problems , I am happy to go with his recommendation. Who am I to know anything about it, anyway?

Hopefully, should I need it done again in the future, they will then have sorted the keyhole route out, fingers crossed.

[Jimbro]

Hi jojo I've got an angiogram this Thursday morning. Watched video on BHF site not much to it which put my mind at rest. Will let you know Thursday afternoon. Jimbro.

[Roamie in reply to Jimbro]

Hi, definitely the thought, and the wait for it is far worse than the actual procedure. The nurses and staff were brilliant. When I did look at the screen, I found it fascinating. I should have looked at it for longer, and would like to have had it explained at the time. Someone else on this site did so, and I think, looked at the screenshots? Good luck, and just look on it as half a day in bed. Take a book.

[Jimbro]

Thanks will do. Hope you get sorted out soon. Take care.jimbro.

[Jimbro]

Hi there folks hope everyone is well. Was meant to have an angiogram last Thursday morning but late Wednesday afternoon had a phone call from hospital saying sorry but we have no empty beds so it was cancelled. Fair play to them for letting me know in good time. So it's rebooked for this Wednesday afternoon. So hopefully will let you all know the outcome.

Jimbro.

Be good and be kind.

[Roamie in reply to Jimbro]

Hope it goes well on Wednesday, I worried unnecessarily, but that's easy to say afterwards! As I said above, take a book, or music, or chat to someone else, they might need reassurance as well, and help each other.

All the best.