Stent needed?

[Sleesa]

Hi.

I've just had a call from my Cardiologist. She asked how I was and said that my ct scan showed some narrowing of arteries but wasn't the worst she'd ever seen. However she wants to investigate further and wants me to have an Angiography.

She also said I've to start statins and to speak to gp in about a week about it. I've made the appointment and see the gp Monday.

My cholesterol is OK but my family history isn't. My mum had stent fitted after a heart attack when she was 60. My dad has a heart block and palpitations. My nana had angina. I'm overweight (medication, menopause mostly) but my diet is quite healthy. I eat no processed food, mostly fish or chicken, eat lots of fruit and veg and never eat junk food.

I originally went to the gp with dizziness and chest pains, oedema of ankles and fatigue. Now after starting Diltiazem and Isosorbide the chest pains have mostly gone but the dizziness remains. If anything I'm tired and weak even when doing the hoovering. I assume that's the narrowed artery/arteries.

She said depending on what the Angiography shows it will determine wether a stent is fitted or I just remain on meds.

Yesterday I was tearful and stunned. Today, I'm still stunned but of the mindset that I just want answers and to get a quality of life.

If a stent is needed maybe I'll feel better than I have for two years of being fatigued and weak. Maybe the dizziness will stop and I can feel OK again.

In a way I'm almost hoping if there's a narrowing and that's what's causing the dizziness for it to be a stent that's required and I can get on with having a life.

Is that crazy? Obviously I'm hoping there's no narrowing but then I'd be confused by the dizziness and fatigue.

I just feel a bit overwhelmed and any advice would be appreciated. I'm 51and trying not to feel terrified.

[84green]

Hi Sleesa.

Sorry that you have had some unwelcome news but I am sure it also marks the beginning of you feeling better. I'm sure it is a shock but, believe me, you can and will deal with it.

I found myself in a similar position six weeks ago. A visit to the Dr feeling a bit light headed led to an ECG, Echo and CT angiogram that revealed minimal and mild blockages in my arteries. In my case the cardiologist prescribed me a statin 40mg, aspirin and recommended several lifestyle changes to reduce my risk. Since then I have lost 38 lb, reduced my blood pressure towards normal, and reduced by blood sugar levels from the diabetic to normal range. I have also stared exercising six days a week (nothing extreme).

Your CT scan will give a detailed breakdown on which of your arteries are affected and the percentage of any blockages, together with details of your heart itself.

"Milkfairy" posted a link and referred recently to a major study that shows that medication/lifestyle treatments are as effective as surgery (particularly stenting) in many cases. It may be worth you reading this.

My understanding is that stents or CABG is recommended where the blockages are so severe that there is a serious risk of total blockage and/ or where it is considered desirable to relieve symptoms - such as angina. I'm sure your GP and cardiologist will discuss this with you and be able to answer your questions.

There are many people here who have experience of stents and I'm sure they can will give you the benefit of their experience. I can understand a desire to have a blocked artery unblocked but I'm sure there are other issues to consider as well.

With your family history and symptoms it is natural to be anxious and the consultation will hopefully help to reassure you. I also feel anxious and have come to realise how powerful the mind is in controlling many physical symptoms in your body.

I know how shocked I was when I received my diagnosis. When I looked at my lifestyle and risk factors I couldn't honestly say I should have been shocked! I now genuinely believe that the diagnosis at that time was the best thing that could have happened to me. Without it, I would have continued getting more and more ill.

For now, you have the opportunity to understand what the problem is and take whatever steps are necessary to feel better. Try not to be too anxious and good luck.

[Sleesa in reply to 84green]

Thank you. I appreciate your reply.

I'm hoping to be able to exercise but currently can't as ive been told not to until I have received all results.

Once I know it's safe to do so I shall be making every effort to increase my activity. I think this is the thing that I need to definitely up my game on.

As for food, I already eat what is essentially the Mediterranean diet but I'll look into it further and tweak anything that needs it. I am prone towards Anorexic thinking when I start worrying about my weight so I have to be careful I don't get into that mindset of not eating. Yesterday I could feel it surfacing as I panicked over what I was eating and I think its because I genuinely thought I was eating very healthy.

I've had a talk with myself today and reminded myself that I just need to tweak my diet not stop eating anything.

I'm on blood pressure meds and it has been slowly coming down.

I'm not diabetic so that's good.

The Isosorbide does seem to have stopped the angina.

I'm slightly nervous of taking statins but they affect everyone differently. My consultant did say she was hoping I didn't need them as I have Fibromyalgia. It can cause spasms, pain and cramps. I'm definitely hoping it doesn't affect me badly.

I'm already on Aspirin. That was one of the first things she told me to take.

[Rose54]

Hi

I had HA in May last year had Angiogram but blood was flowing enough with meds not to need a Stent .

I was like you breathless and tired but 10 months on I feel fine able to walk up hill without stopping ,able to my housework without struggling.

Even if you need a Stent its not the end of the world although it is a worrying time ,what ever happens you will be fine .

[Sleesa in reply to Rose54]

Hi. 😊 So you didn't have a stent? Did they put you on Statins? Is that what helped you feel more agile and well?

OR was it other meds that did that?

Sorry for all the questions. Lol.

[Rose54 in reply to Sleesa]

Hi

I take all the usual Meds that are given after Stents or HA

Its the blood flowing as it should that does the trick plus for me losing weight, eating more healthfully and exercise.

[Sleesa in reply to Rose54]

Hopefully whatever approach they take I'll start to feel more capable of being active. It's really starting to get me down.

Thank you for replying.

[Rose54 in reply to Sleesa]

Good luck let us know how you get on

[Sleesa in reply to Rose54]

Thank you. The Artovastatin is already on my prescription list. I just checked online. 40mg.

I speak to a gp on Monday.

I'm hoping I'll get more information then.

I'm trying not to worry but it's difficult.

[Yasyass]

Just wondering how long did it take for cardiologist get in touch with you after the scan

[Sleesa]

Just over 3 weeks. I was just getting to the point where I thought no news was good news then she rang. 🙄