Anyone had LAD stents?

[Tyke1]

My husband has a long lesion in his proximal LAD and possibly a small lesion in his RCA and is on a waiting list for a stent or two, he’s type 1 diabetic and I’m worried about how effective stents are long term, and the impact on our future of his heart disease. Can anyone help reassure me as I feel in shock at the diagnosis and afraid of the treatment option in respect of benefits to his condition

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Tyke1. I had a heart attack and stent to my LAD 3.5 years ago. It came out of the blue and like many fellow hearties on this forum wasn’t a usual candidate. I feel mainly great (take meds regularly, eat as well as I can (Mediterranean +), exercise, try to chill out more with a better work/life balance and do things I enjoy with the people I love). I’m told my long term outlook is good and I’m doing everything I can to stop my arteries clogging up again. A stent shouldn’t be seen as a cure but it can buy time to put things right.

In terms of options - these will be determined by a range of factors, but if offered a stent that would be the one I’d go for first again. It’s a simple procedure and very effective. If it doesn’t work out in the long run then I wouldn’t rule out a bypass.

There are other tremendous contributors to this forum with Diabetes etc who will be able to give you a different perspective.

I can empathise with the shock that this has given you and your husband but there are loads of us here who have gone through this experience and are living great lives.

[Tyke1 in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Thanks for your message it’s good to hear from someone who’s had real experience, not just reading what the facts and figures tell you which can leave me feeling overwhelmed, much appreciated

[Hidden in reply to Tyke1]

I'm thinking same as Steve above, LAD 96% blocked and also a branch off it blocked, 2 stents 18 months ago, also got 50% blockage in RCA not stented. Just done a pretty tough 10K in 57 mins on Saturday, if that's any help. Not sure how Type 1 influences things but like Steve says it is to be taken as a kick up the **** rather than a cure.

[Polski001 in reply to Hidden]

Now thats the kind of positive update I love to hear. Hope that was a PB! Currently confining myself to 30 mins on a bike at level 1, which is frustrating but I dont get any symptoms at that level. waiting on Angioplasty for probably 2 stents. Did it take you long to get back to this level of exercise?

[Hidden in reply to Polski001]

Thanks! It wasn't a PB as it was quite a hilly course. I had always ran or cycled from early twenties but around 55 (I am 61 now) I started to get "dropped" a little too often when out cycling and to be honest I think I got into the frame of mind that I was getting to old for it all, but in reality I think the atherosclerosis was probably starting to make an impact, and I sort of gave exercise up. Following the stents and rehab in October 2018 I started walking, then power walking with my wife, and one Saturday morning got caught up in the stampede of the local Park run, of which I had never heard at that time, and thought "Mmmmm, I fancy trying to get back into running". My wife decided she would have to do it as well, and bit by bit I got myself back into it. To be honest it was hard at the start and I found it very mentally challenging, always thinking the worst before every run, but gradually getting more confidence. I think my body and heart in particular had got tired due to having to work harder as my arteries started to block and it has been hard work to get back into some kind of shape, but I really really believe that my future health is in my own hands and that keeping as fit as possible is absolutely key to keeping the disease at bay, along with a big change in diet. I can now put on a decent sprint at the end of a long run, and am determined that my wife who is 6 years younger is not going to get the better of me, as she is now very much into running as well. I am on 54 park-runs now and absolutely love it, I just hope the remaining 50% RCA blockage keeps that way. I always take a phone and GTN spray out with me but fingers crossed I have had absolutely no symptoms whatsoever, sometimes it is easy to imagine it never happened to me. My Dad had the same problem and died at 55 so I am always conscious that despite doing everything I can things might go south again one day, but I have now got to the state where I hardly think about it especially when I am out running. I can remember maybe as long as 20 years ago getting some feint pains in my chest when out running and having to back off the pace a bit, I put it down to muscle twinges or cramp but who knows it might have been my ticker complaining even back then so while ever I have no discomfort I intend to just go for it, I find it too tempting not to try and fight off some 20 year old as we bear down on the finish line!

I am really still about 25 in my mind.

I will always be so very grateful to those guys who put those bits of scaffolding in my pump.

So good luck to you, if you are able I would encourage you to do as much as you can, as I believe it is the best thing you can do for yourself.

[Tyke1 in reply to Hidden]

Very encouraging story, well done you 👏

[Polski001 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, thanks for the really interesting reply. I have also been thinking that what I had put down to advancing years and lack of exercise (unfit and overweight) was the early signs of my advancing artery thickening, however slight. I would find occasionally that I’d be a little out of breath but once they blood was flowing ‘ I’d be fine. This included running up to 10k, cycling etc. I also trained hard for a trip to Everest Base Camp last year for my 60th, and put down the occasional breathlessness to altitude.

6 months later I’m experiencing minor chest tightness which I knew was not normal, but now makes me think that for sometime I’ve been living with this without knowing.

I’m keen to get back into exercise to lose weight,as I know that works for me rather than dieting, but I’ve been told not to do anything strenuous until I’ve been ‘fixed’.

Fingers crossed but your positive outcome are a real motivation.

Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Polski001]

I hope you get sorted OK. I would just say with respect, you comment about dieting not working is worth reflecting on. I have substantially changed my eating habits as have many others, and am now a vegetarian plus I don't each very much dairy at all, certainly no cheese, butter, cream and now no milk in hot drinks. It is amazing how much "cleaner" it can make you feel as well as making you lose weight, and I really don't miss the cream teas and bacon sandwiches one bit. I had a cup of tea with milk in it the other day, it tasted awful! As long as they can whack some stents in OK and you combine a good Mediterranean or plant based diet with plenty of proper exercise there is no reason to think you will not be able to have a healthy future.

[Polski001 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Very conscious of the diet question, and while not a bad eater generally, periods of abstinence have gone with periods of not worrying about what I eat, as I was doing plenty of exercise, however the pounds crept on. I lost over 2 stone before going to Nepal, but sadly it reappeared (not sure how that happened ). I do enjoy my food, love cheese, but not a big dairy eater. Very conscious that diet will need to be a key element after the procedure, but if it helps with getting back to fitness I'll have to knuckle down

[Hidden in reply to Polski001]

Hey, I used to be a massive cheese eater, trust me. It is surprising how easy it is to cut it out, specially with my missus to keep reminding me. I think it is easy to think you have a good diet but when you analyse it, it isn't really.

[Tyke1 in reply to Polski001]

Don’t think about dieting, you don’t need to go on a diet, you need to change the way you eat altogether, this is a change of behaviour not a quick fix, we’re doing low Gi as my husband is a diabetic and he’s lost 2 stone over 3 months and never been hungry, plenty of veg, lean meat, low / no sugar and plenty of fibre but it has to be a change of lifestyle

[4Stents4me]

Hi Tyke1

I guess you would have seen the many contributors to this forum giving you a positive response. From my side I had 3 stents in Nov and 1 more n Dec I started exercising a couple of weeks and to be honest I’ve never felt better. Please do try to relax, read around the topic I’m pretty sure there is sufficient content on the forum to help you put your mind at ease.

[Tyke1 in reply to 4Stents4me]

Thanks for the encouragement, it took a while to pluck up courage to join the forum but the responses I’ve had has been positive which is a big help, thanks

[Scout2017]

Hi Tyke - I’m 50 and had an LAD stent and another in my LCX in Feb last year and this week I ran a lifetime best 5k time. There are things you can control (diet and lifestyle) and things you can’t, try not to worry about those. Bill

[Tyke1 in reply to Scout2017]

Thanks for reply, will try to stop worrying but easier said than done but every message of support helps so big thanks

[humph3]

I had 100% blockage in LAD some 2.5 years ago with 2 stents fitted through both arms at same time. Felt bad for the first 6 months but stopped taking drugs after 1 year when I started high dose vitamin C and Lysine regime (search for Linus Pauling on you tube). Excercise is good after the stents ther should be a NHS class available in your area. I don’t know how corona virus will affect this but if they are suspended make sure you look on heart uk for online classes. I felt that vit C did more for me than meds but everyone is different - I am still taking the vitamins.

[Tyke1 in reply to humph3]

Cheers I’ll look on the web

[Rob6868 in reply to humph3]

I agree with the vit c and lysine and am now following the same regime as yourself. Also started taking magnesium glycinate powder too

Looking into vit k mk4/7 too..would be good to hear more about you on vit c.I take pure GMO free AS powder..

[humph3 in reply to Rob6868]

I will give a follow up report in a few months. I don't really know if this is a cure or just a delay

[Lonmayloon]

Hi Tyke,

I first noticed angina in January 2011 aged 52 brought on by exercise and worse in cold weather.

GP referred me to the local rapid access chest pain clinic for excercise test. I was then referred for angiogram after that which showed up a severe proximal blockage of the LAD. Stent fitted there and then and angina cured. I also have slight narrowing of RCA which was left alone. That was early March 2011 and since then I have not seen a cardiologist, only annual checkups with nurse at local GP.

Because my first onset of symptoms, diagnosis and stent all took place in less than two months there was no time to worry about it.

The last nine years have been good although any pain or discomfort in the chest area can make me (needlessly) anxious. I haven’t had the urge to go on route marches with 40lb pack and military bands but my exercise and diet are generally quite good.

The stent procedure in my case was very straightforward and took place quickly. It was fascinating to watch on the monitors above and whole procedure beginning to end probably took less than an hour. I checked in to the catheterisation lab at 8.00am and was out at 4.00pm.

This is a good website for support and advice, best wishes to you and your husband.

[Tyke1 in reply to Lonmayloon]

Thanks ever so much for your message, sounds similar to my husband, noticed a funny feeling on exercise, gave up doing park run which was probably a good move! Then went for stress echo in November then angiogram in January which showed this LAD blockage but then referred to another hospital and put on waiting list which is approximately 3 months long but with this Coronavirus I’m worried it will get longer, guess different health authorities deal with things differently but it’s this waiting that’s getting to me I feel like his life is hanging in the balance we’re doing all we can but like everyone says every twinge or strange feeling seems like a big deal and I’m watching him like a hawk which isn’t good for either of us! Thanks for your good wishes and glad to hear you’ve been good for 9 years it puts some perspective on things so keep fingers crossed we get sorted soon🤞

[Lonmayloon in reply to Tyke1]

Hello again Tyke,

I should have mentioned the medication I take. It’s maybe stating the obvious but I assume your husband is on a similar regime. Each medicine plays an important part in protecting the heart and taking them should give some reassurance as you wait for the stent.

Perindopril 4mg I was already taking this for high BP

Aspirin 75mg prescribed after first angina episode

Statin prescribed after exercise test

Bisoprolol 5mg prescribed after exercise test

GTN spray prescribed after exercise test (virtually unused after stent was fitted)

Hope this helps

[Tyke1 in reply to Lonmayloon]

Cheers, yes he’s on aspirin and Ramipril and a statin but not bisoprolol due to type 1 diabetes, but thanks for that

[COYW]

You came to the right place for stents 😀 I’m a year in to the realisation that I’m not immune to heart disease because I’m thin and fit. Two stents and not looking back. Much. 😂

[Tyke1 in reply to COYW]

Cheers hope to be in the same situation soon🙂

[Tyke1]

Thank you very much for your reply it really helps to hear your positive messages, my husband is relatively fit and we’re walking every day and he’s lost 2 stone on a low Gi diet so doing as much as we can within his limits, thanks for the encouragement 🙂

[Lindalou51]

Had 85% blockage in main LAD artery and a stint put in on January 16 2020 ... still having symptoms as before stint

[Rob6868 in reply to Lindalou51]

It will get better

But remember you are now a member of the heart disease population like myself

So we are in the high risk category with this bloody virus..

take care.

[Lonmayloon]

I think I need an RSM like you for my next door neighbour! 😀

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! I am a life long Type I diabetic with a family history of heart disease (my father, his brother and their father all died prematurely). In early 2017 I developed angina and breathlessness. An angiogram found I had four severely blocked arteties. The original plan was stents but after numerous tests it was concluded to be "non doable" and I was referred for a bypass that happened in June 2017.

No one is ever cured of CVD but treated to try and halt further progression of the disease. I am sure I do not have to spell out the lifestyle changes but should stress good control of BP, cholesterol and HbA1c is very important.

A friend had stents for 20 years before needing a bypass but had had major issues including a kidney transplant in the run up!

[Tyke1 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks, good to hear from another Type 1, we’ve been following a low Gi diet and he’s lost over 2 stone and his HbA1c is 6.2 and he’s needing less and less insulin so doing all we can on that side. He’s no family history as parents died early from Cancer so who knows, and he became Diabetic at 40, so maybe that’s helped. Wish you well too and thanks for replying

[Mrvic]

Just celebrated 2 years with 3 stents in my LAD plus 1 more in another artery for a total of 4. I had blockage over 99% but because I had been working out I had formed collateral arteries. I’m 58 years old. Lost 60 pounds and I work out hard 6 days a week. I truly believe it’s hereditary because my cholesterol levels never dropped even after losing weight. I take my meds, workout, and eat in moderation. I feel like I’m keeping up with 30 year olds at the gym and I feel great! Good luck and don’t stress!

[Tyke1 in reply to Mrvic]

That’s interesting as my husband has always done running , weights and completed triathlons which is partly why we were so shocked at the length and degree of blockage, before noticing any symptoms!! it’s good to know he might get back to doing strenuous exercise as I think he’ll miss it, so thanks

[IanGordon]

Just to add to the poll - my LAD had 2x stents in 2015, unusually without the prompt of a heart attack. In some way,disappointingly, this did not impact on the symptoms of my increasingly stenotic aortic valve, but probably saved my life. Aortic valve replaced in 2018 with no further significant evidence of coronary artery disease, although inevitably, my diseased arteries will certainly not improve.

I remain active and eternally grateful for the life enhancing surgery and the opportunities this has gifted me.

[Tyke1]

Wishing you well and I guess we’re grateful not to have had a heart attack as that could have been it! I must make the most of this opportunity to enjoy each day like you seem to be doing, thanks for taking the time to reply🙂

[Joliv61]

Hi Tyke, I had 2 stents in my LAD and one in a branch off that back in November. Type 2 diabeties as well but have just been discharged from cardiologist.

Take up the rehab classes if offered and as others have said the procedure is quite straightforward, just plumbing really.( I was cacking myself really but it was actually a surprise when the surgeon said”right I’m in your heart now”. In and out inside an hour.

Plenty of advice in here but one thing is yourOther Half has survived, he’s a winner.

It’s an odd way to look at it but being positive is a real help. All these healthy people in here running marathons and doing triathlons is a real inspiration for us all.

Good luck and all the best.

John

[Tyke1 in reply to Joliv61]

Cheers and thanks for support glad to hear so many people having positive outcomes it sure helps give me some perspective when all I could see was the negatives, I know it’s not a cure but I guess we should be grateful he noticed the funny feeling he was getting during exercise and took my advice to see his Dr or who knows where we would be, just hoping the 3 month waiting list doesn’t get longer with this Coronavirus carry on it’s a bit scary knowing he’s in the high risk group just trying to keep out of trouble and get as healthy as possible before procedure. Thanks for your support 🙂

[Joliv61]

👍👍

[Phil_London]

Hi Tyke1, I am 10 months past a stent fitted in my LAD, after a mild heart attack and a 60-70% blockage. As most on here, we are happy to have been through the angio PCI treatment and come away with a pile of anxiety and worried about every chest pain or twinge but happy that we have the second chance. You should feel safe in the fact it can be done and I would say Stents are in the main a brilliant resolution for so many, the life of a stent sounds very good with latest Stents, I hear cases that go on for 10,20,30 and even 40 years, they say bypass is the has longer outcome from what I read but slower recovery but stents are improving year on year. But we do need to follow better diets and healthier living, more exercise less bad fats reduce saturated fats and so on as I am sure you are reading. I am 53 and after 3/4 months after the stent able to run 5K ( slowly) We all need to live with the meds after and so many adjustments and changes are often made for each individual, it I think rest assured, read on and see that so much anxiety will be reduced and your life can go on and even improve for so many on this forum Good luck, let's all try to stay save with Corona and follow any guidelines given.

[Tyke1 in reply to Phil_London]

Thank you every bit of positive information is helping me feel positive and I agree we must all be careful to avoid this Coronavirus, keep well people