I'm writing on behalf of a friend. They had a stent nearly 10 years ago. Very overweight, on blood pressure medication, statins, aspirin and spray under the tongue. Just lately they've been getting a lot of chest pain, using spray more and unable to walk far without getting breathless. Blood pressure medication has been increased but nothing else. I'm concerned about losing them. I think that they should be checked out to see if there is any more that can be done maybe with additional stents etc. What we want to know is what's going on with the heart and valves but also is there further narrowing in the arteries that could benefit from additional stents. There's pressure on the NHS and I want to encourage them to push for testing. Which would be the best test to ask for to give us the answers we need? Echocardiogram, CT scan or both. Thanks
Which scan or test?: I'm writing on... - British Heart Fou...
Which scan or test?
One of the key BHF recommendations for reducing heart and circulatory problems is to try to maintain a 'healthy' body weight, and if necessary lose weight to do this by diet and if possible exercise. So without in any way appearing to be judgemental my advice is to first try to gently persuade you friend to lose weight if they are very overweight, as you say, on the assumption there isn't a medical reason which explains their body size. Not only will this help their breathing but will likely reduce their BP and the strain on the heart will be reduced too. Whilst medication and medical interventions can help reduce the risk for those with heart related conditions, self help and control can also play it's part.
Thanks. I hope they will take more notice of that very sensible advice. There's been a marked deterioration in the last 3 months so I think they realise the need to do something. My worry is that a heart attack will get them before any lifestyle changes take effect. I probably should have said obese rather than just overweight.
whilst lifestyle changes are important they just aren’t going to work fast enough if your friend has already deteriorated in last three months / might already have issues. It’s very unlikely they can change things round fast enough especially if anything like arteries are blocked already (not saying they are). Exercise and diet will not unblock them. But they may have heart issues due to non obstructive arteries. Healthy weight people can have these issues.
see a doctor as a priority and in the meantime / same time starting making lifestyle changes.
It’s got to be cheaper for NHS to catch things early than deal with stuff when become a crisis.
also a doctor will be best placed to advice on which test is best but likely a CT scan is a very good start.
Wish your friend the best.
When i was in for surgery last year I was astonished at the number of very overweight people on the ward, back in ten years after previous heart related surgery.
Having the stent and all that implies should have been a wake up call that so many people seem to ignore. Yes, they definitely need to get checked out and in the meantime-subject to GP's approval- lose weight and try to get fitter as that will stand them in good stead should they require surgery.
I agree it should have been a wake up call. Unfortunately my friend's job is as a driver and they are on the road all day eating junk. I hope this deterioration will finally convince them to make healthier food choices.
Can they not take a packed lunch with healthier options or resolve to eat one meal a day that is healthy? Any chance of taking a holiday that enables them to kickstart a better way of living?
Losing weight and getting some exercise needs to become a much larger part of their life. I don't know the age of your friend but typically in the ward I was in they were in their 50's, so had first come in for surgery in their 40's and then ignored the very harsh lesson they should have learnt . Most of the people were either very overweight or obese.
yes. All good suggestions. In the past the breakfast stop has sometimes lead to a decision to have porridge. That needs to be the norm instead of a fry up. The age is 60 and I they won't be around unless they do as you have suggested.
A fry up should be only remembered as history when you have had a stent fitted or better still before you ever need one. Your friend needs to see a GP as soon as possible if they are detiorating that fast as only a GP will know what tests need performing.
As well as an immediate check up perhaps its time your friend thought about another job? There are drivers and drivers and some will have more regular hours than others.
At 60 they can't be sat all day except for making the short trip to a shop to collect a Cornish pasty or a Mc Donalds.
The check up though needs to be carried out as a matter of urgency as everything flows from that. If the system refuses to cooperate by giving no date or one many months in the future, a private consultation night be worth considering.
You don't mention what the BP is. Has it been taken recently? Many GP surgeries have monitors in their foyer or failing that they are cheap to buy from your local chemist and a few checks on consecutive morning or evening in a quiet atmosphere should show the extent of the problem.
Whatever your course of action I urge you to do it promptly.
Hi - I am also looking for a "non-invasive" test to measure the heart disease progression. In US there is a new startup Cleerly that provides the information through AI enabled CCTA. If others have ideas on how heart disease can be measured with a non-invasive procedure/test, please share.
Please watch this clip from Dr Peter Attia. In some cases people with weight issue are not eating more than people with no weight issue. His body could be causing the issue.
I have an update. He finally got seen and had an echocardiogram and angiogram. He wasn't allowed home. He's being prepared for a quadruple bypass ASAP. I don't know how he was walking around.
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