Stent for angina

[bizzy55]

I began to get a burning sensation in my chest when walking last year. Angina was suggested by the GP so I got a heart scan and one significant block was detected. Then I received a letter asking me to come for a stent. During all this time I have never been consulted about anything. Pros and cons of stenting, alternatives etc. The patient communication has been hopeless.

So I requested a postponement until I can actually sit down with a cardiologist and talk things over. That was about 6 weeks ago and I still have not received an appointment.

So in the meantime I'm asking here. 👍

Is a stent likely to improve my angina ?

Is it possible that the stent could eliminate the need for my angina meds ? (Ranolazine & Bisoprolol)

Could drugs plus lifestyle changes be as effective as a stent ?

[Captain_Birdseye]

Lifestyle changes and drugs won't clear the blockage... the stent will do that.

The drugs perform a different function so having the stent won't eliminate the need for them.

Basically, everything performs a different function, and all of them working together should result in the best outcome for you.

[Hidden]

Captain_Birdseye has summed things up admirably. But If you require a professional opinion on where you stand I suggest you discuss things with the BHF Heart Helpline nurse as below.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[bizzy55 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks LF. I might have to do that as the NHS in my part of the UK is getting very difficult to access.

[annpavitt250448]

I had a complete blockage of LAD and had a stent 7 months ago. The difference it has made is significant. Can walk now without the chest of arm pain.

[pasigal]

The latest studies seem to suggest that medication can be as effective as a stent in preventing further heart issues, but it's not cut and dried. I suspect (do NOT take this as medical gospel!) that the decision to stent has to do with where the blockage is, how severe it is, and maybe whether the plaque is stable or unstable. But I would not get a stent without clearly understanding the nature of the blockage. If they are waiting around, it may not be urgently life threatening. In my case, an angiogram revealed 90+% blockage in the LAD, and I was stented up a week later. But I then had cardiac arrest 8 months later (different artery gave out...). Go figure...