Heart Attack #2

[SkiMonday]

Having recently been hit by a second heart attack, I thought that my journal over on one of the running forums would be of interest:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Tos92]

Thank you SkiMonday . I know we have a few marathon runners on here so I’m sure they will be over to your journal to have a read.

All the best.

Tos

[pasigal]

SkiMonday Wow. That is actually my worst fear. I suffered cardiac arrest 8 months after having 2 stents in my LAD (apparently unstable plaque broke off in my circumflex. It's now been 2 years after that second episode, am on same meds as you, but I worry about when I'll be hit again. I know this is heresy but an annual angiogram wouldn't be a bad thing -- all regular tests have been OK but I get twinges here and there that freak me out.

[Qualipop in reply to pasigal]

My worry too. After HA and 2 stents I was told I had 2 more blockages in the LAD that were 64% but didn't need stents at that time. Now getting very breathless but only way to find out for sure if those have got worse would be another angiogram. GP's taking no notice. I know angiograms are too invasive to keep repeating but surely there must be another way to check.

[pasigal in reply to Qualipop]

Qualipop A cardiac MRI with contrast is apparently useful in detecting blockages in major arteries, but seems to have limitation for smaller ones (not sure what qualifies as "smaller". I've had one, about a year after my cardiac arrest, and it was reassuring. But I think it's also rather expensive (most MRIs with contrast are, once you start injecting stuff...). It's a weird procedure if you haven't had one, as the contrast material creates a warm, tingly feeling that can be very disconcerting in the MRI tube. But certainly less invasive and expensive than an angiogram.

[Qualipop in reply to pasigal]

If that's done like a normal MRI in the big machine, I'm afraid I can't have one. That's a shame.

[pasigal in reply to Qualipop]

The one I had was in the same machine. I have a checkup with my cardio in a few weeks and I'm going to ask her about the best way to detect future blockages. Her last answer was, well, you're taking the medications and living right, so don't worry too much. I'm not buying that!

[Qualipop in reply to pasigal]

NO that sort of comment does not stop you worrying

[Heartattackvictim]

Journal in the signposted forum is great. I've private messaged you about it. Cheers, John