Hello
I feel like there is an elephant in the room which isn’t being discussed or perhaps it doesn’t need to be because it really isn’t there or we’re not at the point to discuss such things (with cardiologist). Or it’s the elephant I don’t want to acknowledge? But its better that elephants should be acknowledged 😊
So here’s my question / conundrum:
If my congenital heart defect is causing continuous compression (harder heart works the harder the compression) that restricts blood flow (and therefore oxygen?) through my LAD - and assuming no med works (hasn’t so far) and assuming surgery is not available or advisable or won’t help - then repeated / prolonged restriction on blood flow will if hasn’t already cause myocardial ischemia?
If yes to myocardial ischemia (which I think is the case) then this can potentially cause heart failure, arrhythmia or even heart attack plus changes to the heart (have mild LVH at present only)?
I’m not trying to scare myself, I prefer to be informed (that usually greatly helps with any potential anxiety) and “size up that elephant” 😊
Cardiologist has not had such a conversation but I suspect as we are still investigating we’re not there yet?
I’m not trying to scare myself, I prefer to be informed (that usually greatly helps with any potential anxiety) and I’d like to “size up that elephant” 😊 hope is great but one has to have a sense of reality too.
Your knowledge and experience I always appreciate greatly. 👍 should add I get this could be a how long is a piece of string question! But I’d appreciate thoughts on the above
Breathing restrictions
what happens at your first cardiologist appointment 
Heart Failure - Fluid restrictions
What is a high Blood pressure reading
Hi fishface101
I will be following this post as I’m also interested in what others have to say due to also having a myocardial bridge in my LAD.
I have gone through the exact same thinking process as you and have wondered whether myocardial ischemia can occur as a result of having a bridge. I know I have ischemic changes due to elevated troponin back in January 2022 when I had the NSTEMI. I do think the bridge had a part to play in that as I believe the doctors felt that this was the particular artery that spasmed.
However, in saying that, we know that myocardial bridges are mostly benign and people live a normal and healthy life without ever being diagnosed with it. Therefore, I do wonder if myocardial ischemia may only be present in those that are symptomatic? And those who remain unsymptomatic have a less likely chance of developing myocardial ischemia? Or maybe the chances of developing myocardial ischemia are the same despite being symptomatic or not?
There are however studies which have been published that show that myocardial bridges are a cause for myocardial ischemia, especially in those who have vasospasm, endothelial dysfunction and compromised coronary blood flow as a direct result of having a bridge. On that basis, I personally do feel that this is possible.
It’s hard to determine as our condition is so niche.
I’m due to see my cardiologist in a few weeks. I will definitely ask him this question, although he is not a myocardial bridge specialist therefore, I am not overly confident he would know the answer but the question can always be asked nevertheless.
hello yes I think the same as yourself, mine has been shown to be impacting blood flow so now I’d like to address this question. I have a cardiologist appointment with my local cardiologist (not the one who tested) next week so I will ask them too but like yours not an expert but open minded enough to have referred me for testing.
Now I have a diagnosis as much as bridges can be diagnosed (there are no thresholds for decision making like there are for stenosis I.e. what’s mild, moderate or severe, they can only say causing significant impact and therefore likely bridge is cause, it’s so annoying but it will take years and years before there is more knowledge and research), I can start to ask these questions.
👍