Blockage

[Tee2020]

I recently had a heart attack, and apparently my artery is completely blocked. Being treated with medication. Isit still possible to have a stent after several months?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! There is no straightforward answer to your question as which artery, position and calcification come into the equation. Also sometimes corollary arteries develop. There is no drug to force the growth of these arteries but putting on your walking shoes helps tremendously.

Depending on symptoms they may try stents if appropriate or even consider a bypass. Some single arteries can be bypassed by minimally invasive techniques. Before a bypass they would check out the other arteries and typically pass any more than 50% blocked.

Keep us updated and good luck.

[STUBAX]

I have a 100% blocked RAD that they tried to clear and fit stent but failed. Collaterals had grown from left side to compensate so no further treatment was deemed appropriate, should further treatment be required a by-pass was mentioned. That was 3 years ago, however all good at the moment so onwards and upwards! 🙂

[Tee2020 in reply to STUBAX]

Same, I’m being treated via medication but also have abit of back flow causing edmea (fluid), they mentioned maybe having to replace my valves if medication does not improve. Had anything similar?

[Beith]

Tee2020 - although this article is more than ten years old, the advice is still relevant: health.harvard.edu/press_re...

Best wishes

[Tee2020]

Thank you so much

[STUBAX]

Was told that there was some regurgitation thrown of the valves, they are keeping a watch on it but no action planned as yet.

[Tee2020]

Thank you for your reply, basically the same situation as me right now. Hope everything goes well.

[Nathan53]

Hello - I also have a 100% blocked artery however the Cardiologist was of the opinion that the position of blockage dictates that the risks of trying to unblock it outweigh the advantages. Everyone's case will be different but if it is causing you problems you could seek a second opinion. Thought you maybe interested in the attached youtu.be/Lwai3J7k37w(Not working as expected?)

[Lezzers]

Hi Tee2020, I thought you'd be interested in knowing that my husband has lived with a 100% blocked artery for almost 22 years as it was inoperable, he's been treated with medication since his heart attack in 1997

[Hidden]

It’s a tricky one because I had a unblocked artery unblocked and I’ve had nothing but chest pain and problems ever since. The smartest cardiologists know that unblocking a artery is not worth the risk. However, strange as it may sound I’ve re-run the scenario over and over again in my head, weighing up whether I should have insisted it remained unblocked and unstented knowing what I know now, and do know what I’d still have had it done. Because no one knows the potential benefits of it, yes the supply to my lateral wall is as dead as a dodo but with stem cell patches on the clinical horizon I hoping there’s still life in the old dodo yet.

[STUBAX]

My consultant did say that, after the attempt to clear the blockage, I could suffer worse symptoms if they cleared the blockage rather than leave things as they are.

[Hidden in reply to STUBAX]

Why would attempting to clear blockages make it worse I dont understand

[STUBAX]

Because the heart had attempted a successful diversion of blood flow I would have suffered worse Angina if the blockage was cleared. This wasnt stated until after the unsuccessful attempt 🤔