New here, with my diagnosis. - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

49,245 members31,173 posts

New here, with my diagnosis.

Mossburg590 profile image
22 Replies

I have just had my letter from the hospital with the results of my CT Scan.aThe CT scan shows significant narrowing of at least

one of the main coronary arteries and also one of the coronary artery branches.

My consultant has asked for an urgent coronary angioplasty.

The report shows heavy calcium load with significant stenosis in the proximal LAD and proximal PDA. Also says I will be requiring PCI Stenting.

In the meantime, I have been prescribed the following

Atorvastatin 80mg. OD

Monomil XL 30mg OD

Bisoprosol 1.25mg OD

Ramipril 1.25 mg. OD

GTN Spray.

To say I had a bit of a shock was an understatement!

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Written by
Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
22 Replies
Dossy profile image
Dossy

Hi sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I had similar ladt november and had Angioplasty on 2 arteries. It was a painless proceedure and I was put on some of the same medications as you.However I gor side effects of breathlessness and a cough from the Ramipril and Bisoprolol so was changed to others. The Avorstatin causes me to have cramps in my legs in bed at night.

I feel very well in myself, what happened was a shock as I'd considered myself to be fit.

Hope that may be of help, if anything like me then you'll be fine. I'm glad mine was discovered and treated when it ws

Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590 in reply to Dossy

Thanks for the reply.Im trying to look on the positive side and pleased i went and got it checked out.At least its hopefully going to get sorted.

Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590 in reply to Dossy

Im trying to look on the positive side and just thankful i hooefully,caught it in time

MONIREN profile image
MONIREN

Yes, it is hard, hopefully it will done soon. Angiogram where they stent the blockages not that much of trial. There are various medications, so if you struggle with one, they can change it, but some just take time for your body to adjust to. Change in diet, try not to do too many at once, small exercise changes. Here you will get support until you see your specialist. Take care.

Thats a pretty standard cocktail of drugs, I had a couple of stents fitted to my LAD just over a week ago following a heart attack.There are some side effects to the drugs, nausea, feeling bloated, dizziness.....but I know with time these will disapear. The GNT spray is amazing stuff, the first few times you use it get ready for the "hit", its best to be sat down until you get used to it, its great practise to have a spray before you do something that you know would put a strain on your heart. The process in the Cat Lab is amazing, its slightly uncomfortable but nothing to worry about. Stick to your medicine regime and you will be OK.

Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590 in reply to

Just started the drugs yesterday,so far so good.Just want the appointment now and get it done.

shopman profile image
shopman

Have to say they have started you on low doses - except for the statin - so shouldn't take long to get accustomed to them. Means there is plenty of room for manoeuvre if required. Don't be surprised if after stenting you are put on others, again that is quite standard.

It can be a bit intimidating going through this but you can ask for a sedative beforehand and if interested ask to view the procedure on the screen - you will hardly feel a thing and it is surprising how quickly it goes. just remember to do as you are told it is very important.

Chappychap profile image
Chappychap

You say the news of your heart disease or atherosclerosis came as a shock. Was there nothing in your life style or family history to suggest you might have been at risk?

Hoxley77 profile image
Hoxley77

Hi

Sorry to hear this. My husband had exactly the same. He was scanned at the end of january and february they called him to say we have a bed waiting for you at our local hospital. It was a massive shock but luckily he had not had a heart attack. He is on a few meds and sometimes it can take a while to get the right ones for you. He really struggled afterwards with the shock but talking with friends and family has helped. The cardiac team are fantastic at what they do and the rehab albeit remotely certainly helped. Think positively that they have caught this before you had a heart attack. If you have any questions no matter how stupid you think they are just ask. All the best

Sooty2020 profile image
Sooty2020

Hi Mossburg. I had symptoms which turned out to be narrowed right coronary artery aged 53. Went in for angiogram where they fitted emergency stent there and then as it turned out to be 95% blocked. Shocked, yes. Glad I had symptoms, yes. Lucky not to have had heart attack, yes. For me, it was a new lease of life almost immediately. No side affects to any meds. Care taken for first year with exercise. Had quite a healthy lifestyle anyway so not many lifestyle changes to be made. One angiogram since where stent confirmed in pristine condition. Honestly, just be positive and hopefully you will have a greatly improved situation afterwards.

Hearty21 profile image
Hearty21

It is great news that you willBe treated before a heart attack.

Medicine wil take time to settle but there are alternatives if they don’t suit you. Good luck with Angioplasty

MountainGoat52 profile image
MountainGoat52

Sorry to hear the diagnosis, but at least you now know what the problem is and the way forward is clear. For many of us the visit to the Cath Lab comes as the result of a heart attack and is the first time that we know we have a problem. I was amazed at the efficiency of the process - blood clot removed and two stents inserted inside half an hour. Totally painless. The only after-effect was a sore artery in my right arm which was back to normal after a couple of weeks. I found the benefit was immediate and as others have said, the only thing that took a little time was getting the medication right for me..... but as my GP once said, I am a nightmare to medicate. 😀

Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590

Thanks for all your advice and support.Im just pleased i acted on getting my symtoms checked out.Will keep you all informed on how things go.

Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590

Just one thing I am noticing, I'm getting a bit of discomfort around my kidney area. I have had a infection there a couple of years ago and feels similar.Will give my GP a ring tomorrow and mention it. Could it possibly be one of the new drugs?

Westie2012 profile image
Westie2012

Hi, sorry to hear you need the procedure but it’s good they can offer treatment and medication. I hope you don’t find this an insensitive question when you are unwell and going g through a difficult time yourself , I’m waiting to have a ctca scan as I have pericarditis and I am having new cardiac symptoms and my cardiologist wants to check my arteries weren’t damaged , can I ask what symptoms you were having ? If you don’t feel you wish to answer I will understand and I apologise . Wishing you all the best with your procedure , take care and stay safe xx

Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590 in reply to Westie2012

HiI have been having shortness of breath for a good few months now. Its not all the time, but it comes on all of a sudden for just a few moments.

I also have had, what I can best describe as chest discomfort, not pain as such, more like slight trapped wind feeling. Also, I get tired, especially later in the day, more than I used to get.

I have been on the new medication now for five days, feeling more lethargic than usual, and this slight feeling around the kidney area.

Hopefully it can be sorted with adjustments to the new meds.

I really hope your scan is positive for you, it's a very scary time at the moment but I'm trying to stay positive.

If you want to ask me any thing at all, if I can help, I'm more than glad too.

Take care. xx

Westie2012 profile image
Westie2012 in reply to Mossburg590

Thank you for your reply , I hope your medication can be adjusted to suit you . Wishing you well, take care too xx

Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590

One other question if I may. When would be the best time of day to take the prescribed meds?I am taking them in the morning but finding myself getting really tired until the late afternoon.

Would I still benefit from them if I took them before going to bed?

Hearty21 profile image
Hearty21

Hi: I was wondering if you had angioplasty. If so, was proximal PDA stented ?

Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590 in reply to Hearty21

I had angiopasty,my right coronary artery was 90% Blocked.My LAD is still at 50%.All went well,i have been back at work for the last couple of weeks .

Still got some shortness of breath.

My gp said to stop the ramipril and see if that helos Been off them for a week now and does seem to be helping.

Hope all goes well with you tomorrow,sure it will be fine.

Mossburg590 profile image
Mossburg590

Sorry,meant helps

Hearty21 profile image
Hearty21 in reply to Mossburg590

thank you for your response. I take it that your RCA stent means stent in proximal PDA as that is where your original diagnosis was .

That is where my problem was detected in Feb this year. PDA originates from RCA and is smaller in size.

A little reassuring that I am not the only one being stented in this small artery.

Wish you all the best

You may also like...

What does my stenosis diagnosis really mean?

“This lady’s CT coronary angiogram has shown a mild to moderate stenosis in the mid-portion of her...

New unexpected diagnosis with coronary artery disease

Friday, out of the blue with coronary artery disease and having a stent placed tomorrow. Struggling...

Myocarditis - New diagnosis

resting, Echo showing some weakness on left side of heart, angiogram showing healthy arteries, MRI...

New Diagnosis of Cardiac Sarcoidosis

all usual tests and scans showed no problems, I had a Cardiac MRI which shows I have Cardiac...

New diagnosis

CT scan which showed no sign of lung disease, but severe calcification of my arteries. Saw GP who...