Worried after recent results of an angiogram

[Tim111]

hi, I’ll be 50 in a few months, I’ve been on high BP medication for almost 20 years. Over the past few years I’ve been getting strange chest pains. I’ve had ECG’s in the past but nothing showed up. I had an angiogram done last week, the consultant wrote back to say I have a small ASD, small volume of plaque in the proximal vessels and a trileaflet valve , I’ve done the usual YouTube searches to understand what all these are.

The recommendations are to go on statins, I have my doctors appointment next week, I’ll have a chat about all this then.

But to be honest, all this has got me really worried, what are the short and long term issues with what’s been picked up? can the ASD get bigger? What can I do to control any more plaque build up?

I have two boys, is this hereditary?

Thanks in advance

[Blackcatsooty]

The bit I can tell you is the phrase trileaflet. Most people have three bladed propellers and quite a significant minority have two propellers. Two propellers are termed bicuspid and we do seem to get failing valves in later life. Especially stenosis,. So you have the full set of three. That’s good.

Reading things online is best kept to BHF and NHS. Dr Google will just spread alarm and misinformation.

Please hold tight until you have had your doctors appointment.

And best wishes to you.

[statinsinthebin]

iv heard of gps prescribing statins for everything from sexual dysfunction to migranes,chest pains is a new one👍

[MountainGoat52 in reply to statinsinthebin]

The statin prescription will be to stabilise the plaque, not treat the pain.

[Heather1957 in reply to statinsinthebin]

Really? It isn't a pain killer and I have never known it be prescribed for erectile dysfunction? My understanding is that it reduces cholesterol which in term stops a build up of plaque in the arteries. So not sure how it would help with ED that said I am no expert.

However I do know there is an army of anti statins about, personally I take them because I make my own mind up based on my own research.

I think the op needs to write down all questions and talk them over with the their GP.

As I have never had these problems I can't really advise if this is hereditary I know heart disease tends to be.

I hope the op gets all the answers they need but write down all questions so you don't forget everything.

[Ghost-233]

Hi Like you I’ve been on medication for HBP since I was 33 I’m now 73.Had similar issues over the years.

I’ve found writing questions down, take it with you to appt and just hand it over to Consultant or GP saves a lot of time. As others have said just use BHF and NHS websites to look things up or phn the BHF helpline.

Oh and try and make your appt with GP a double appointment as you will need it.

Good luck hope you get all the answers you need.

[Tim111 in reply to Ghost-233]

Thanks for the reassuring words.