Stents delayed due to covid-19

[2o2olockdown]

Hi

I had another angiogram on 19 March that revealed blockages in RCA at 90% and AV circumflex at 70%. No stent procedures are being done at present due to Covid-19.

My cardiologist has increased my Bisoprolol from 2.5 to 10mg and Atorvastatin from 40 to 80mg daily. He explained that current thinking is that the outcome of drugs and stents treatment is similar.

My symptoms are not changing; chest pain/discomfort, breathless and fatigue. I’ve also started to have dizziness and nausea.

My question is: Do any of you have a view of how long it will take for the drugs to start to work?

[Chappychap]

Statins and beta blockers (such as Bisoprolol) both work pretty quickly, with observable results within a week. However, no drug will materially reduce your 90% and 70% blockage scores, and that really isn't the objective of these two drugs.

It's interesting that your doctor says the outcome of medication and stenting is similar, that's consistent with a number of posts on this forum, I wonder if that's the way heart treatment is going? With stents increasingly being reserved for heart attacks (where they're potentially life saving) and for sever angina (where they can deliver an improved quality of life)?

[2o2olockdown in reply to Chappychap]

Many thanks

That reinforces what I heard earlier, it’s just that I’m not seeing any improvement.

I looked up 2 study reports ‘courage’ early last decade I think and ‘ischaemia’ in the last couple of years, and I think your assumption is valid.

Quality of life at present is not good and I still find it frustrating that I can’t do the same levels of physical.

Still things could be worse and eventually they will recommence doing stents

Cheers

[Bondstreet1]

Hi 2o2olockdown,

I suffered a HA in December 19 and was to have an angiogram within a few weeks but this was cancelled due to a bleed I had from blood thinning meds. There was then a delay due to to COVID-19, however I was contacted last Thursday to confirm an appointment for this Tuesday. I had the angiogram and received a stent for a blocked artery. This is my second HA. I had one in 2016 where I received 2 stents and was told that I might need another stent within a year. I was prescribed meds and had no problems till December last year. Hopefully you’ll get in soon for your angiogram as I’ve been told that they are starting to pick up appointments again. Good luck!👍

[2o2olockdown in reply to Bondstreet1]

Many thanks

I hope your procedure and subsequent recovery goes well.

[Bikerider69]

I don't think my condition is anywhere near as serious as yours. I have a 20% stenosis in my LAD which found after I had an angiogram. I am on 40mg atorvastatin which I take in the evening, 1.25mg bisoprolol, plus aspirin and lansoprazole. My understanding of atorvastatin is that it helps remove bad cholesterol from your blood which helps to stop further build-up of plaque and stenosis in the heart. I don't believe or have ever heard that drugs will reduce the stenosis. I'll have to say, I'm puzzled by that statement from a specialist.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Bikerider69]

The specialist probably was making reference to the Ischemia trial published last year.

This showed that medication can be as effective as interventions such as stents to treat angina or obstructed coronary arteries.

acc.org/latest-in-cardiolog...

medscape.com/viewarticle/92...

[2o2olockdown in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks. That’s what I thought. both the ischemia and’courage’ reports from earlier support the medication approach.

[2o2olockdown in reply to Bikerider69]

Thanks, I don’t think the intent is to clear the blockages but more to alleviate the symptoms. With little success in my case so far. Just walked round the garden and puffing like a steam train

[2o2olockdown]

If interested here’s a link to the Courage trial clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...