I had my angiogram on Friday morning and I was told that I have a 3rd artery that needs stenting and it is quite a big area. The doctor doing the angiogram said that it could be stented but it would take 3 stents consecutively to do it and wouldn’t need a bypass. When I saw a cardiologist about a month ago he said that if 3 or more arteries are affected they may consider triple Bypass. I have been referred to a cardiologist in Swansea now, just waiting for an appointment, I can’t imagine the outcome, of this appointment. The 2 other arteries that have stents are showing signs of furring again but not too bad. This was my 3rd Angiogram in 20 months with 2 stents fitted then one collapsing and being restented. I have low cholesterol and have been told it is a genetic problem. I worry that if the 3rd artery is stented will they fur up quickly again. I must admit I will be glad to feel fit and healthy again.
Update on Angiogram: I had my angiogram... - British Heart Fou...
Update on Angiogram
Hi. Sorry to hear about your issues. I think it’s important that you write all of your queries and questions down so you can discuss all of your options with the cardiologist. Hope the appointment comes through soon. As an aside I have 3 arteries affected and only one could be stented as the others have blockages in a place that can’t be stented. However they have decided to treat with medication exercise and lifestyle and monitor. That’s working ok at the moment. Hope all goes well. Take care. Zena x
Hi Zena, How is it going with controlling by medication? I have been on medication for 20 months but it doesn't seem to be stopping the calcification. I will update on my next appointment.
Hi. I haven’t had a check of calcium scores just echocardiogram and ECG which so functions as good. The perfusion scan showed no angina so whilst I don’t know how the furring is going the actual function is good. I have Familial Hypercholestraemia but cholesterol is down to 3.6 from 7.6. I also follow a strict vegan diet with no added oil or fats so I am hoping that helps. So I think it’s going fine at the moment in terms of function and I am happy with that but I am relying on my symptoms rather than specific calcium scans. Not sure if that helps! However the team at the Freeman were happy to leave watch and wait rather than bypass immediately. Interestingly the team at the hospital where I was taken when I had the heart attack (I was on holiday in this country) wanted to do a bypass but I insisted on getting home to Newcastle as they are much more experienced and are very much research oriented and acknowledged as one of the leading hospitals in terms of cardiac centres. I am glad I came home! So I am happy to watch and wait. Have an in-depth discussion with your cardiologist. I am sure whatever is decided will be the best option for you. Take care. Zena x
An angiogram last year showed I had four arteries affected between 70% and 85%. I was I initially told that I would probably have stents the following month. However, after further tests there was found to be considerable calcification and I was referred for a bypass. This happened in June. You may be referred for further tests by the cardiologist before any final decision.
Mine was also hereditary with no elevated cholesterol. However, there is an appalling history of CVD on the male side of the family!
Hi Michael, I am just hoping that whatever they do it is a bit more permanent, I am on loads of medication but the calcification still keeps coming, I don't smoke I've always had a healthy diet. Exercise for me is difficult at the moment due to breathlessness and Angina pain. How do you feel about having a Bypass? It seems to me that could be more of a reliable option. I had 2 stents fitted in Nov 2016 a restent in Sept 2017 now this yet another artery affected. I'm happy to go with whatever the Dr decides on and just want to get back to the fitness I had before all this started.
By pass is by far the best option in my opinion. Stents have come a long way in the last 20 years but they aren’t perfect.
Bypass surgery has also advanced temendously as well.
The bypass surgery fixes the problem at the heart’s - harvesting your own healthy veins to replace the clogged and damaged ones. Almost like a transplant you might say.
Honestly I think stenting is good for many situations where one or two can do wonders.
Sometimes I think bypass vs stenting is a call made by the insurance companies for the doctors. It’s an easier process, takes less time and has less risk for all.
These are just my opinions.
I must admit Bypass scares me a bit but sounds more reliable. My biggest concern is that I have a healthy diet and always have, I stopped smoking 25yrs ago and only drink one or two glasses of wine a week sometime none. They discovered I had high cholesterol about 10 years ago and controlled it with statins and my reading is now 3.5 and has been for about 10 years. Before this happened I was fit and walked an average of 2 hours a day. My Dr says there is not much more I can do. I will just have to wait and see. But it is great to hear different views and experiences on the subject, so thank you for letting me know your situation.
Joan
Joan
Coronary disease is so unpredictable even with the best diet, exercise and good habits.
Fortunately you have discovered yours and are in a position to select alternatives to give you a better and longer life. We all have had family members, friends or mere acquaintances that weren't so lucky. The passed away in the blink of an eye because of not knowing or having any symptoms they recognized or denied.
My husband had a 5 way bypass in 1999. At the time it seemed like a grim sentence but almost 20 years later he has lived a very active life, seen Grands grow and provide us with Great Grands. We've traveled and lived our lives with much joy and gratitude.
Have there been bumps along the way? No doubt. CHD is a venture into the world of the unknown. But as you see through the posting on this Board you realize you are not alone. Folks here have shared their journey and their courage and it helps all of us to know there is a brighter future for us all.
All the best from across the pond.
Thank you for such an uplifting reply, it's always good to hear from a longstanding survivor, I do consider myself lucky to at least know what the problem is and that is will be resolved one way or another. I do find this website very comforting and I know it always helps to talk to other people going through something similar.
Joan
Hi I had triple hy pass they advise me if they put stent but helps me short time so they decide doing bypass
Good luck your tests
I’ve had both stents and bypass and it’s not nice but doable. I now wish I’d changed my diet and other lifestyle issues earlier.
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