Hi 6 months ago I was sent for a CT angiography after getting shortness of breath and pain in my left arm walking up a hill. The scan showed a narrowing in my LAD artery and I was put on asprin & 80mg statins. I have had no further angina symptoms for six months but I have been scheduled to have an angiogram with a view to proceed angioplasty in a few weeks time. I am really nervous about having this procedure as I feel really well and have had no more angina symptoms in 6months but the doctor says it would be best to better determine treatment going forward. Should I have this done. ? Really frightened of the risk of dying & procedure complications having this done
Ash
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Ash52
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I think we all feel slightly threatened by procedures and potential complications but my blockage was 99% to the LAD and following a diagnostic angiogram I had the procedure 5 days after. Hopefully they can take a look and fix if it needs fixing or you’ll be reassured all is fine. Please don’t worry and follow their advice. I had shortage of breath, no pain no other problems but told by the cardiologist the angioplasty was ‘timely’
Thank you Sususulio for your reassurance. I think I am just worried about the procedure and how bad it is as I do not know anyone who has had it done before and what to expect.
I was nervous about having mine done, but in the end I found the whole procedure relatively painless and rather interesting watching what was going on..and of course the relaxant I was give beforehand helped..😊
Of course you are going to feel worried about this, but better to have it now before any complications.I had Rotablation (drilled arteries prior to angioplasty) 10 days ago, it wasn't expected but necessary, it was unpleasant and a little worse than plain angioplasty but I sit here 10 days later practically back to normal.
Only you can decide whether to go for it or not but they don't usually waste time and resources on a procedure if they didn't think it would enhance your health.
Thank you Heather I know you are right it just seemed a long time has passed since the CT scan and the medication seemed to be working. But as you say they wouldn’t waste resource if they didn’t think it was necessary.
And had an angigram whereby you are given medication to numb my wrist where they thread the camera. . I had to lay still and was also given morphine and felt no pain at all. I had three blockages and 2 stents were fitted. The other blockage was to be treated with medication. A couple of hours later I was on my way home with a lot of tablets to take for the future. I have not any problems or pain and followed the advice of the cardio nurse who visited me weekly. I was intolerant to the statins so didn't take them nut my cholesterol levels were low. Good luck for the future
Hi its sounds as if the medical staff are really treating you well. My husband has just had an angiogram and angioplasty then stents put in his artery as 99% blocked. My husband has just told me there is nothing to be scared of the angiogram does not hurt and is relatively painless, don't wait to have a heart attack as it will debilitate you. It is nothing to worry about. We are so relieved and grateful to have had it done. Sounds as if you are under a really good consultant all the best.
Have it done. I can't say it was a pleasant experience but it wasn't too bad and for me, I'm confident that it prevented a heart attack. Good luck and stay strong
Hi Ash. Had 95% blockage in right coronary artery aged 53. Angiogram and emergency stent fitted there and then. I think the fear of the unknown is worse than the procedure. Had I not had the angiogram, I probably wouldn’t be writing this. I also felt like I had a new lease of life post stent - immediately. Extra energy and a new spring in my step. Think of the after and you will get through this.
Hello, I was like you scared of the angiogram but there is no reason to be so. I can only say from my experience it was just like a Bee sting when he gave me the local anisthetic. After that a stent fitted and felt nothing at all. Unfortunately I had this done following a third ha because my cardiologist decided at first I didn’t need an angriogram ! I have now change to the cardiologist who did the procedure. Sounds to me like you are in good hands. Good luck.
An angiogram is the gold standard to find out what is going on in your heart. I've had two this year, the first determined that two of my main coronary arteries were severely diseased. I had 3 stents put in the first. Then 8 weeks later I had another 3 stents put in the second. Both times they used my right radial artery for the procedure. I felt no discomfort as they used local anaesthetic on my arm. The procedures took 1 hour both times and I was awake throughout but I took the sedation option which I'd definitely recommend.
You lie down in a high tech operating room and there's an xray camera positioned over your chest.
I could see exactly what was happening on a big TV screen the cardiologist was using as it is half angled towards you. But you don't have to watch.
There is general discussion about what they are doing, sometimes the xray camera gets moved around by remote control, occasional calls for xray contrast dye injection and occasional clicking when they expand a catheter balloon to emplace a stent and in my case a short discussion about fitting overlapping stents but it's all pretty technical and you can tune out with the sedative.
The only slight discomfort I did feel was when they expanded a balloon in my artery for about 5 seconds and then from the special transparent pressure bandage they use on your wrist to seal the wound. This compresses your wrist using an air sac and is a bit uncomfortable at the start when the pressure is high but only for a couple of hours in my case.
Sometimes they go in through an artery in your groin, I'm sure someone will tell you more about that but I understand its generally the same procedure .
Just go for it Ash52, having an angiogram doesn't mean you will definitely be having a stent fitted, but at least when the probe is inside your blood arteries the decision can be made there and then if action is required.
Please trust your surgeon. I had 4 attacks in one day but had no idea what was wrong. After investigation i needed a double bypass and a year later a stent. I was so worried and scared but put my trust in the hospital after all what else can we do. It is now 7years later and apart from my medication and the odd spray of GTN spray i go to the gym 3 times a week and have no problems. I will never get rid of the Angina but you only get one life live it as best you can. Hope everything goes well . X
Hi Ash, I went through exactly what you're having done - CT, moderate LAD narrowing, meds. Thankfully the angiograph found I didn't need stenting (later told the CT can exaggerate!). I was nervous on the day, but it was totally unfounded I can reassure you.
Yes don’t hesitate for one second. I had 4 stents last year and feel as though someone has dropped a brand new V8 engine into my ageing body. I feel more alert, fit and healthy than I have in many years.
Welcome Ash52, it’s the unknown that’s more worrying and frightening than the actual procedure itself, the cardiologists specialise in this and it what they do several times a day for patients, sounds like yours is a good one too. Yours is being done under routine conditions and not as an emergency following a heart attack so will be much more relaxed. I had no idea i had a cardiac problem but after emergency bypass, several heart attacks i had emergency angiogram with stents put in, As firstlight40 said, the description is spot on, i had wrist and then they went through groin because of the bypass, procedure is done in exactly the same way, only difference is you have to lie down flat for a couple of hours after the angiogram and have a dissolvable angioseal in the artery which dissolves over 90 days. Slight bruising and swelling in the groin for a few days then no problem at all.
You will always find support on here to help you through, i wish you well for the future, stay safe x
I had an angiogram during which they found a severe narrowing to the LAD. Proceeded to fit a stent there and then. That was over ten years ago with no further treatment needed since. The entry point was the right femoral artery in the groin. I found the whole procedure fascinating and everyone was very reassuring throughout. Each step was explained as it was happening. The possible complications have to be brought to your attention so that you can give your informed consent prior to the procedure. They can appear worrying when listed on a piece of paper but the risk of having an untreated narrowing of the LAD was, in my case, very much worse. It sounds as though you have a good team. If you have any questions I am sure they can put your mind at rest.
I take it you have been advised of the risk factors. I have similar conditions associated with PAD, but mines are in the iliac arteries. I was heading for the same surgery last January but a second consultant advised not to proceed because of risks. I am sure my condition and it’s location is more risky. I think your surgeon will have carefully assessed in which case there’s nothing to fear. I hope all goes well.
Just go for it, NHS don't do preventative work very well. If they had done an angiogram for me and realised I needed stents fitting in a timely manner I would not have had a stemi heart attack and three strokes.If they need to do another angiogram for me I wouldn't hesitate.
As an engineer given the option to view the procedure I was amazed at the specialists skill.
As soon as the stents were fitted all my chest pain went.
Best wishes what ever you decide.
PS don't worry if your arm goes yellow after the procedure, it didn't hurt but took a week to return to normal colour..just bruising and not everyone gets it.
Hi Ash, I see you have already had some reassuring replies. I can add I was like you, feeling well except some chest and shoulder pain walking. I was shocked as I was fit, non smoker, ate well etc. A CT scan showed some narrowing and needed an angiogram with possible stent. I walked into the hospital at 7.30 am and walked out at 6 with three stents. I found the procedure facinating. I was shown before and after images, so very grateful everything had been picked up or I could easily have gone on to have a heart attack. There was a bit of pain towards the end of the procedure, probably due to the number of stents. I just mentioned it to the nurse who popped some pain killer in via the canula. I had some discomfort in my chest for quite a few weeks afterwards, but I'm fine now. Hope it all goes well for you also.
last year i had a heart attack and had stent due to a blockage in my right coronary artery apart from not knowing what the hell was going on the procedure was painless and surprisingly very very swift the day was a blur to me due to shock but if i had to do it again i would not hesitate in most cases they know whats best for us. this is just my experience. Good luck with what ever you decide
Please don't worry, I have had this procedure 7 times over the past, 1995 to 2020, I have 12 stents now and I have seen the procedure change dramatically over that time. It is now much simpler. Can seem a bit daunting first time but no different than a visit to the dentist now. The teams are so well versed and carry out these procedures many times a day. It is necessary to get a clear picture of your cardiac function so your treatment is right for you.
Hi AshBack in 2020 I went through the same but with Covid delays!! I had chest pains in the January and then didn't have a CT scan until June / July. However I was put on betablockers from the February and had virtually no symptoms thereafter..
I had a standby Angiogram in August and a stent fitted in my LAD artery.
I was in and out on the day and have been fine since.
Hi Ash52I have been through a CTScan, MRI and on advice from my Consultant to have an angiogram, which was performed two days ago. I will say from the outset I am needle phobic and like you was REALLY nervous about the procedure.
I was advised the local anesthetic in my right arm would make the whole process painless. The anesthetic was administered and felt virtually nothing at all. After this a shoft tube was to be fitted in my artery, which needs a drug to be flushed into the artery to cause it to dilate; this did sting, but only for a few seconds.
After that the main sensation was pushing on the arm as the tube was inserted, which at times was more uncomfortable than painful. Thereafter, it was just the xray scanner sweeping back and forth across the chest for about 10 mins - I had no interest in watching what was going on, and didn't feel any pain.
There was a small amount of tugging as the tube was removed and a plastic pressure bandage applied. The surgeon then explained that I had a moderate narrowing, but didn't justify a stent, and could be managed well with an increase in my medication.
Reflecting back on it, my nervousness probably played a bigger part in my sensitivity to pain than what was the reality, but the NHS team were all hugely supportive throughout. Yesterday, the day after the procedure my arm was a bit sore, but not enough to need painkillers, and today everything is back to normal and was driving again.
I can't tell you not to be nervous, it's a personal mindset, but can say that I too got myself worked up about it, but apart from being uncomfortable with a little bit of stinging for a few seconds, it was definitely worth it to know 100% the condition of my heart. Good luck!
Thank you all for the reassurance it’s been a great comfort to me. I think I am more worried about dying having the procedure done than the procedure it self. I know it sounds silly but can’t sleep with worry
I'm 72 I had a heart attack 20 years ago and had a stent fitted .I didn't realise I was having heart problems thought it was indigestion .If I was given the chance before the heart attack I may have said and felt like you do now .
If I could turn the clock back I would have had the operation angiogram plus stents if offered as it has kept me healthy and I worked up until 3 years ago getting an offshore medical for my time offshore in the North Sea. So go for it and don't look back
Hi Ash I had a heart attack on January 8th this year, blue lights to the hospital! On January 9th had angiogram were it was decided to fit 2 stents immediately to open the blockages to the left and right LAD 98% blocked. Back home the same night. I was told I was days away from a really big heart attack so if you have this done now it may well save your life as believe me a heart attack is far more painful. Than this procedure! Have lived a normal life since 😀
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