LAD Blockage

I have very recently found out that my LAD artery is over 50% blocked and showing some disease. I am 38 yrs old and waiting for a coronary angiogram to see what happens next. Just wondering if anyone else is going through the same ?

[Nigel57]

HiI'm 64, older than you. I was diagnosed with lad disease in February. I googled it and panicked.

Friday 22 April, I had two stents fitted, in and out on the day. Consultants final words were all done no more angina. Two days later, I'm fine, even my wrist is healed.

I hope my story helps you feel positive, as I know how worrying it can be

[RailRover]

Hi. This condition will be a worry for you, no doubt, but I'm intrigued as to how you've discovered your LAD is 50% blocked if you are still waiting for the angiogram which is the means for diagnosing the level and extent of this disease. Your doctor (or anyone for that matter) can't tell you this without being able to see in there.

[Hidden in reply to RailRover]

Hi, I had a coronary ct scan recently and that discovered the blockage and disease and I am due to have a coronary angiogram to find out the full extent of my issues.

[Heather1957]

Well I learned something, I didn't realise a scan would show a blockage. Apparently it will show calcified plaque this is what I found :

Does heart scan Show blockage?

A heart scan is not a substitute for stress testing and can tell you how blocked a coronary artery is, furthermore it does not detect any non-calcified plaque that may be present.

[Hidden in reply to Heather1957]

The scan i had included dye being put throguh my arteries and according to my consultant the scan detected the blockage and disease in my LAD artery but like with anything it's not 100% fool proof hence why I am now waiting to have a coronary angiogram so that they can confirm everything in more detail.

[Heather1957 in reply to Hidden]

That sounds like an angiogram to me! That would show exactly what was going on in your arteries.

A scan is done on the outside of your body an angiogram they put a catheter either via your wrist or groin then feed a dye into your arteries so they will find any blockages.

[Ada-eve in reply to Heather1957]

its a ct coronary angiogram i had one too which showed i had 80% blockage in LAD i then I had to have an angiogram to confirm,im now waiting on pci to have stent fitted .

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Heather1957]

There are 2 types of angiograms.An invasive angiogram when they insert a catheter, small tube into an artery usually in your wrist or a noninvasive CT angiogram.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

The NICE guidelines are for people to be offered CT angiograms as this type of testing has fewer side effects and risks.

Here's a picture, I personally think the technology is amazing!

CT angiogram image

[Hidden]

No it was definitely a coronary ct scan in a big tube, I do know the difference. . I'm waiting for an agiogram to confirm things

[Ada-eve in reply to Hidden]

yes its a ct coronary angiogram , i also had one which showed blockage in LAD then i had angiogram which confirmed .Now waiting on a stent .

[ChoochSiesta in reply to Ada-eve]

Why didn't they do the stent at the same time?

[MONIREN in reply to ChoochSiesta]

Sometimes the cardiologist or the hospital not equipped to do stent. We had that here, I have been half way through angiogram when qualified cardiologist had to be called in to put stent in.

[Ada-eve in reply to ChoochSiesta]

Hi ChoochSiesta the hospital i had angiogram dont do stents so i had to be referred to another hospital been waiting 8 weeks so far !

[Heather1957 in reply to ChoochSiesta]

Not all hospitals have that facility. In 2017 when I had my first angiogram at the local hospital I was told they couldn't fit a stent and would have to go on the waiting list at another hospital. It didn't really matter as I had to have a bypass,

This time even though I was admitted to the same local hospital they sent me from that hospital straight to the main hospital where they did a Rotablation then and there.

[Hidden in reply to Ada-eve]

Oh finally someone who has been through it so believes what procedure I have had done. I'm so sorry your going through this though, 80%? Wow 😭

[Ada-eve in reply to Hidden]

yep 80% , massive shock at first especially the amount of medication that appeared as i left the hospital .8 weeks later still waiting for the stent !

[Plum53 in reply to Ada-eve]

Hi I also have 80% blockage in lad. I thought I was going to have a stent but then told I would be treated with medication. It can be stented but told blood flow was good so unless symptoms get worse change or more frequent then treatment is medication. That was 5.1/2 years ago . Found with angiogram as had two episodes of angina. Wishing you well let us know how you get on

[Ada-eve in reply to Plum53]

Hi Plum53 thank you for your reply i looked up your original post and can relate so much to it .I had no symptoms as such but a chance remark from a dr said i had a heart mumur ,i then had a year of investigations which ended with the angiogram in february.Straight after the consultant said we will have a meeting to decide on medication alone or stent,2 weeks later he phoned to say they decided on a stent but would like me to take part in a trial to see if medication alone would have the same outcome .I did consider it but i would still have to have gone through the procedure as if having a stent fitted but wouldnt know for 12 weeks , at the end they would tell me if it was stented ,if it wasnt i would then have the option to have the stent for real,I decided that i would just wait and be stented.Like in your post it was on my mind the minute i got up till the minute i went to bed .Its so good to see medication alone has been working for last 5 years it makes my waiting not feel so bad.🙂x

[Plum53 in reply to Ada-eve]

Yes but for two years I was so worried I would just have a heart attack. Friends don’t really understand the worry and how it takes over one’s mind. One friend say’s I’m too negative but she isn’t in my shoes. I am trying to be more positive about it and I think I am. Good luck to you x

[Ada-eve in reply to Plum53]

I totally understand your worry especially as the consultant informed me I am at risk for a heart attack .Ive cancelled 2 trips i was supposed to go on as im too scared to get on a plane. No one should accuse anyone of being negative when they are not in the same boat .Thankkyou I will post back when its finally done 🙂x

[Plum53 in reply to Ada-eve]

Thank you for your reply I am on holiday at the moment in Gran Canaria I try to have a few holidays a year as I am now retired. The only worry I have is when on the plane as flight is 4hr 15 mins otherwise I’m fine on dry land. Still heart attack can happen to anyone at anytime and I suppose I’m more wary as I know I have problem. Still let’s enjoy our life as best we can x

[MONIREN]

They don't usually do stent unless over 70% blockage. I've been through angiogram where they have left those blockages, and just increased medication. I'm sure they will do their very best to give you quality of life. Take care. Moni

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Could you please give the reference / link for the information you have given ?