Had sudden heart attack nearly three weeks ago. two attempts at angioplasties, both failed to unblock the artery, it is 100% blocked, given lots of medication and sent home, was told there is a lot of damage to the heart, so little information given to me, I dont know what and what not to do, can you live with this condition?
thanks
I had very similar a year ago and they tried twice and failed after 48 hours of integrellin infusion. My prognosis was severe in left and right ventricle but did improve. I What you must do is join cardiac rehab for support as crucial link between them and GP/cardiologist. Message me for some experiences that might help...
Dear GKAAA
What a horrible shock for you to have learned about the condition of your heart health at the moment.
So sorry to hear that the angioplasty was not successful for you.
The same happened to me and I also was sent home, but certainly not forgotten. It took a little while for the NHS cogs to turn, but turn they did and within a few months I underwent my operation.
I am sorry this is not about me but you and the worry that you have, please contact your Drs who will link you back to your cardiology dept where more help will be forthcoming.
Mine was all done during the pandemic and I feel that some depts are still playing catch up.
Please don’t over worry as remember you didn’t know what was going on until you had that heart attack, now you know your time will come and a plan of action will be drawn up for you.
If that involves an operation or not I cannot tell you, but soon you will have all the information to be able to carry on with your life.
Take care
Hi. I feel for you. I had an angioplasty with rotablation (drilling) to unblock a severely blocked artery. Can you request this? I’d also had two failed angioplasties because of calcium gunge.
I’m still in hospital after having had an operation to unblock arteries in my left leg as my little toe had turned black. You may need this more complex procedure as angioplasty wasn’t even a consideration for me. Unfortunately they couldn’t finish the operation so I am in a wait and see situation mow too!
I have a 100% blocked LAD and was sent home on meds following a heart attack (unblocking wouldn’t have made any difference as damage had already been done). The meds do make a huge difference but it takes time to recover. But, I feel fine now and live a relatively normal life. So, yes, it’s definitely possible. Look after yourself!
I had a STEMI 18 months ago. The Right coronary artery was completely blocked. 2 angioplasties failed to completely clear it. In between them overnight I was put on an infusion to try to clear the artery which was partly successful. Once an artery is blocked, the heart muscle it feeds starts to die. This happened to me. The medication they give you after the heart attack is intended to help to clear the clot. In my case it did, but unfortunately once heart muscle is dead I don't believe it recovers.
In my case one of the scans I had (I think it was a myocardial perfusion scan) revealed that there is at least 12% heart muscle death
Numbers which seem to be important are Left Ventricle ejection fraction. This is the % of blood pumped out of the heart. In a fit heart 65% is good, in a damaged heart, 50% is OK.
In my case after the angioplasties the EF was around 50%.
Since then (presumably after the medication I had) the EF has improved. I suspect that the drugs they give you after the event are pretty important to help clear the artery which is blocked.
When I had the HA, it was in the middle of Covid, and Rehab was not available. In my case as yours, I felt that I was just pushed out of the door.
You really need to talk with your cardiologist to get an explanation of your current state. I ended up paying to see the same cardiologist who discharged me from hospital. The cardiologist also said how important rehab is after such a traumatic event.
I got pretty low but ended up paying for private rehab which helped a lot.
I absolutely hate the way they just treat you then send you home seemingly without any support. It's usually about 3 weeks later that the cardiac rehab team get in touch with you. If you haven't yet heard from them, ring the hospital switchboard and ask to be put through then ask them what's happening and how soon you will be seen because you are very worried. Also go to see your GP as soon as possible to get a complete explanation from him about what has happened. My discharge letter needed a medical degree to understand it but my GP went through it in detail and explained everything including what each tablet was for , how they would affect me and what my prospects were. If only they'd done that at the hospital. Everyone has some degree of heart damage after a heart attack but medication can make a huge difference. Get some explanations.
I am so sorry to hear what you have gone through and reading between the lines you feel abandoned. When I had my MI I contacted BHF - spoke to a nurse there - was absolutely amazing and explained all kinds of things to me at what for all of us is a really scary time. I would also contact your GP - hopefully they can give you information. I wish you all the very best.
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