So I first came on this forum with my Afib diagnosis and was terrified and depressed about the diagnosis and medications. I had good news from my echocardiogram as I had no damage at all. The last hurdle was a CT angiogram sadly I’ve not made it so well past this hurdle. I’m absolutely gutted to be honest. From my report.
The scan demonstrated moderate burden of the coronary artery atheroma. There is a short moderate stenosis in the mid left anterior descending artery as well as mild stenoses in the distal part of this vessel and circumflex artery.
They say because I have mostly no symptoms they’ve suggested high dose Artorvastrin 80mg daily and not aspirin as I’m already on Apixiban my CHADvasc is now 1 so anticoagulants for life. And Ramipril 1.25mg od. I’m terrified and feel like once again I’m potentially going to drop dead at any minute.
i was hoping to have a mini maze procedure for my AF and get off anticoagulants. This now seems unlikely or maybe I can just be on aspirin after this surgery or I can’t have this surgery or maybe I will need stents before surgery. I have no idea. I had a good chat with a heart foundation nurse
I feel terrified. I feel like I have now got many surgery’s and medications and side affects. I’m 47 on Friday and have a ten year old son.
Any advise would be gratefully received.
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Dadtoalad23
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I found about CHD at 49. A heart attack completely out of the blue which needed a stent to basically save my life. Mentally I aged about 30 years in an instant. Physically I felt fine and just got back to my normal life apart from popping pills every day, but you soon get used to that. This year I needed a triple bypass. However, I soon got over that and now I once again feel back to normal life.
Don't let it define you, life goes on, what's the alternative?
These symptoms really aren't that bad, I'd suggest that the great majority of people on this forum have significantly higher levels of arterial blockage than you. In fact modern lifestyles mean that some arterial blockage is virtually inevitable, there are medical reports based on post mortems of people in their 20's, they show that almost every male has at least the first traces of arterial plaque before they hit 30.
Another thing to reflect on is that many people can have extremely high levels of stenosis (arterial blockage) without experiencing any symptoms, and I mean 90% or more!
The bottom line is that there's really very little for you to be concerned about.
Having said that heart disease is progressive, in other words left to its own devices it will just keep getting worse. You're in good shape now, but you want to stay in good shape for another forty years. Surgical interventions like stents or bypass surgery are not cures, they simply buy time and give us a second chance. The only two real tools that we have to slow down the progress of our heart disease are medication and life style changes. Your doctors are currently sorting out your medication, so that half of the equation is covered. But only you can do something about your life style. Might I suggest that now is a good time for a root and branch review of how you live your life? Exercise, diet, weight, smoking, alcohol, sleep patterns, stress, etc, they all need managing.
thank you for this positive reply. Being diagnosed with two chronic heart conditions has been a significantly big knock to my mental health. I made some diet changes like cutting out saturated fats and cheese et etc I did this a couple of months ago as my afib diagnosis came with a cholesterol of 6.2. Even so my GP didn’t consider that a bad cholesterol and he’d also told me my cholesterol was normal 7 years ago when in fact it was 6 over all. Anyways can’t change the past. I’ve lost weight but I wasn’t overweight I’m very fit and run and surf regularly I was 13 to 13 n half stone and now I’m down to 12. I’ve reduced alcohol to a couple of small glasses of wine or a weak beer at the weekend. Actually stopped completely for a few months after afib diagnosis. Im already on Apixiban anticoagulant which has scary side effects and now I’m worried about the added burden of the high dose statin. Anyways thank you for your reply very much appreciate it. I suspect I’m going to on these forums for a good old while.
This reply has actually meant a lot to myself and my wife. Today has been extremely heavy and I sort of feel a bit in shock. Mentally I’ll admit I’m doing great today and I’ve had some positive reply’s and Some scary ones. I know no one can say I’m not going to have a heart attack or stroke and the fact I’m now have a two for one of AF and CAD is terrifying. It’s great to hear about your running ! I’m a very keen runner and have been running 25-35k a week for the last few years. Sometimes less in the winter as i tend to concentrate on surfing which recently I’ve had to stop. I had a hernia operation in august and then diagnosed with AF beginning of Oct my life’s been upside down for months. I’ve surfed for 35 years as a life long passion but have been advised against it due to the anticoagulants and risk of injury.
I’m keen to ask you about the Statin ? I will be on 80mg and this is scary I’ve read about the side affects and I’m already on a heavy anticoagulant. I know we’re all different but how well did you tolerate artovastatin ?
Anyways thanks again I can genuinely say yours and chappychaps replies have helped me get through a very hard day. 🙌🏼
thanks for the information ! I really hope I have a similar outcome in regards to the atorvastatin. You’re a great inspiration. I intend to keep active and battle though. I’m sure over the years on here I’ll get to know a bunch of you a lot better. Thanks again for your positivity today it’s meant a great deal.
I have just read the study into nocebo affect in regards to statins. Very interesting. Also I think with all issues there tends to be a larger group who are louder with negative outcomes, as you say more people with more successful outcomes aren’t as inclined to talk or post. Thankfully some are. I intend to keep posting even if my outcomes are positive. Try and give back as much as possible. With my AF I have been very much helped by this group and now with CAD also very gratefully with the responses.
As you get deeper into the science behind Coronary Artery Disease you'll uncover some astonishing facts. One is that some people can have high levels of arterial blockage for many years without ever having a heart attack, while others suffer heart attacks at a relatively young age and despite having much lower levels of arterial plaque.
Why the difference?
It seems that different people develop different types of plaque. Some people have "hot" plaque that's prone to rupture, other people have more stable plaque that calcifies quickly and is less liable to rupture.
What's this got to do with statins?
Quite a lot, because as well as genetic differences the evidence points to statins having an important secondary effect. In addition to lowering lipid levels they also seem to stabilise plaque, making it less likely to rupture. And if you also take Ramipril then you get a small boost to this effect, although it's statins that contribute most.
Yes, a very small percentage of patients will suffer adverse effects from virtually all medication. But before abandoning prescribed any medication we should give it every possible chance. As I said before, there are just two weapons in our armoury, medication and life style changes. If we're to stay healthy and active for decades to come then we have to deploy both of those weapons to their absolute fullest effect.
Embrace medication and embrace life style changes...at the end of the day they're all we've got!
I'll jump in here to say though older than you at 54 yrs I have both AF and CADIve had 3 ablations and they have been unsuccessful but improved the irregular heartbeats
My CAD was picked up on an angiogram I had two stents 18 months ago.
My message to you is try to have an ablation asap because catch it early and it can be cured mine wasnt early enough
I'm on 80mg of statin not a problem for me.
Also on warfarin for life well you get used to it.
Try to stay positive and go on the afib site of health unlocked there is loads of help on there to ask questions you need answers to.
I think I had undiagnosed AF for years also hence it only got picked up once it became persistent. Mines generally low rate but irregular. Whilst having test they picked up high ish cholesterol but family history meant CT scan and now my diagnosis of CAD with moderate blockages. I’m on the AF forums and have garnered lots of information and I was hoping to apply for a mini maze procedure, I’m not sure where I stand on this now. They’re saying I might need stents in the future but intend to treat with medication first. Heart foundation nurse said that I would still be a candidate for mini maze and potentially have stent of bypass surgery alongside ? I was hoping to just have AF so I’m quite gutted I’m looking at two chronic heart conditions. I’m 47 on Friday with a young family and will be spending part of the day with my GP. Life’s a bugger sometimes, just need to readjust and get back to trying to get in an even keel. I know from reading many profiles chronic heart conditions come with life long ups and downs and that’s a bit daunting. Thanks for the reply.
HelloSounds like you're in a fragile place but that you've also had some reassuring advice so far.
I just wanted to add that at 48 I've had AF for about 20 years, just short, and I'm still fit and active though I have to do things differently to before. I do more pilates, yoga, tai chi, sea swimming and walking et and have ditched the kickboxing and the gym. Hope to get back to jogging at some point.
I'm about to have my third ablation next week, and, like you, would love to be meds free but also would rather the meds than have symptoms at the level that prevented me working and living my life.
Re statins, my husband is on a high dose.. familial high cholesterol and again a few minor adjustments but he's still surfing. More susceptible to the cold but all doable.
thanks full of heart …. I think it’s more of the risk of injury whilst on the anticoagulants that I’ve been advised not to surf. And now with the coronary artery disease I will be on either both anticoagulant and anti platelets which is scary …. Or potentially still get the mini maze and get off the anticoagulants. It’s all very much up in the air for me. I’d hoped not to get a bad CT result and had pinned a lot on that so I’m feeling very disappointed and shocked and yes fragile. Didn’t sleep a wink last night.
I’ll just add my tuppence worth-the knowing is scary when you find out.
But the alternative, as so wonderfully described above by thatwasunexpected, could be blissful ignorance and the sherry drinkers shaking their heads sadly.
So scary as it is, knowledge is also power. You can use that knowledge to do everything possible to prolong and lead a good& healthy life. Enjoy it.
Can I suggest writing down all your worries and concerns and then speak to either your GP or cardiologist. I regularly come away from cardiology and other appts thinking I should have asked this or that and instead end up worrying and stressing about things. Everyone on here will support you but we are unfortunately not medics. Please try this it may just help settle your worries, which in themselves are not good for your health.
Great advice. Will do … also beautiful looking dog in your profile greyhound or whippet ? I have a very lovely male whippet he’s great company in times of crisis !
Hi yes a whippet bitch 9 years old now bless her. We have always had whippets as they are great company and love nothing more than snuggling up. She’s been by my side through some of the toughest years health wise bless her.
Hope you get your worries answered as there is nothing worse. It was my rheumatologist who suggested it and I find it really helps. Keep us posted.
absolutely love whippets, she’s a real beauty mines 5 years old and an absolute gem. As you say they love nothing more than a snuggle excellent therapy dogs. And yes hopefully this will be my last chronic illness Afib and CAD is enough to deal with so fingers crossed I get a reprieve from anything else. Will certainly be posting my progress.
sorry your going though this mate, I had something similar in March 2021 was told I need to lose weight put on loads of pills o stents as of yet as my LAD is not good, the best advice I can give you is take the meds be glad your on their radar, but most importantly try to stop the stress, stress is the biggest issue you are facing at the moment, it affects your health terribly, it affects your life with your family, it affects your family seeing you like this.
Your are alive try and make changes to your life for the better, stop stress, lower your fat intake and get as much exercise as it’s safe to do, and enjoy your life with your family and have a wonderful Christmas with your son ♥️
Thank you box road all very true. Trying to dig myself out of a dark hole today. Didn’t sleep last night, I’d pinned to much hope on the clear CT scan. Just gotta shake this feeling of doom ! I felt like this after my Afib diagnosis and I made it out the other side. This forum has been amazing the support is very helpful.
the way I look at it is I could be knocked over and killed by a bus tomorrow, we all die one day but we must not spend our lives worrying about when it’s going to happen, if we do then we start to die anyway rather than living, when you look at your son don’t think how long have I got but what you two will do once he becomes an adult, when I was going through it I put all my affairs strait I sat down with my family and we talked about what would happen if I died, I wrote a letter for my wife and daughter, sorted out my will, I found it a great help as it took a lot of the worry of how they would be if I was not here. But I am still here, I don’t worry about dying anymore, if I do well at least I didn’t worry about it every day waiting for it to happen, it’s all about getting your mind in the right place and using all the negative feeling and turning them round into how your going to beat this. And I am sure you will, we have to don’t we, I am 59 years old and when I was going through it all we were in lockdown, it was horrible but it’s passed for now, I am pretty sure I will one day have to face it again when it pokes it’s head up but I will worry about that when it does.
You have 10 days before santa turns up so you had better get things ready, all the best Lewis.
I can see by the threads that you have already had some encouraging replies. I cannot say anything about most of the meds involved but what I can reassure you on is anticoagulants. I have been taking Warfarin for over 34 years and have lived a normal life with no problems from Warfarin and including 15 years in a safety critical role at work. The heart is a mechanical object - I look at heart surgery as being the equivalent of taking my car to the garage to repair a defective part, after which it will run normally again. It may be easier said than done, but try not to worry, be practical and enjoy planning good things for the future
Yes, Yes and yes to all of the previous replies. I'm just posting to say that I've had a similar diagnosis and gone through exactly the same thought processes as you're describing (and come out the other side). It is horrible, it is a shock and it takes a while to process, you have been confronted with your own mortality, which is something we all share but few face in their first 60 years or so of living. I also was a very fit, 'healthy' 49 year old when first diagnosed last year - these are things that happen to other people. All of the replies that you've received are totally on point, but they also might sound to you like white noise and they themselves start to sound like things that happen to other people when you're still trying to take in the gravity of your own situation. But it will pass, you will see that there are people with worse diagnoses than yourself living normal lives, you will see there are others who have had more procedures living normal lives, you will see there are people who have not been lucky, had an emergency episode and still come out the other side to live normal lives.
I can't give you a time when your situation will start to turn around - for me it was a jolt when I changed cardiologist (through moving) and the new one stripped down a lot of my meds and told me I had very little to worry about and things were looking much better.
Lifestyle choices will not only improve your situation, but help you feel more in control. Knowledge is your ally and as mentioned above, you now know your situation, you can track and monitor this more effectively and your condition isn't too different to many other people who don't know.
Be careful reading up on your condition too much, it should help the more you know, but if you spend your whole time focussing on your heart situation, it can have a negative effect on anxiety. Even this forum is incredibly helpful, but can dominate your thinking. Try and do things that take away your attention a little at a time each day. The more you 'live' the more you'll know you can live.
Best of luck with it and the difficult to follow advice is - be informed but don't worry!
well you have absolutely nailed it here. I had really come to terms with my Afib and was hoping that my CT angiogram was going to come out and give me the all clear.
Instead I ended up with two chronic heart conditions, but I know within in this forum I’m not alone in this kind of thing. But you have covered it all and you’re completely right. Thanks for the reply.
I know its scary at times but the only positive I personally took out of finding similar results were at least they've found it out and can do something about it as can I to help the situation (healthier diet and exercise, medications etc). A lot of unfortunate people never get any advanced warning and suffer heart attacks with not great outcomes. I luckily found out and ended up with a quadruple bypass and although its not easiest to go through I always looked on it as it's better than the other option (pushing up the daisies). Many live long lives after CHD or even stent/ bypass treatments so you should hopefully have plenty of time to spend with your son. Take care and best wishes.
Thank you. It’s very good to hear from people who’ve been in this situation and hear their positivity. And you’re obviously right. Without AF I’d probably never known I had CAD and the outcome coulda been worse. Have a great Christmas.
Hello to hear this news but you have got some excellent replies from lots of people, hope that has given you some reassurance going forward. Happy Birthday, hope you have found yourself able to celebrate on some level. Cardioversion for husband tomorrow, be glad to get get it done! Fingers crossed it works and he feels better for his birthday!
been thinking about you guys … hope your husbands cardioversion goes well and he gets some NSR … wish him all the best from a fellow Sagittarius! Think my cardioversion is in January 🤞🏼 Been having a great day thank you regardless of my heart !
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