Artery block: I have 70% block in LAD... - British Heart Fou...

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Artery block

meg4u profile image
19 Replies

I have 70% block in LAD minor blockage in 2 other arteries. I am on bisoprolol apixaban ramipril 1.25

Trying to do 45 minute walk daily

Food some yoghurt berries nuts oats protein vegetables 2 litres of water daily

What I would like to know is can you reduce blockage I have no stents Is there anything else naturally I can do or will it always stay at 70% ? Thankyou

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meg4u profile image
meg4u
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19 Replies
Tos92 profile image
Tos92

Hi meg4u

Apologies, I do not have too much knowledge on the area of blockages and stents however, I was just wondering why they decided not to stent you if you have a 70% blockage? I was under the impression that if a blockage is 70% or more, it should be stented. I could be wrong.

Tos

meg4u profile image
meg4u in reply to Tos92

They think medication will help

Tos92 profile image
Tos92 in reply to meg4u

I see. I hope you get on well with the medication. I imagine it’s a worrying time. There are plenty of forum members who have experience of blockages and stents. I hope they will be by to give you some info on your diet and any lifestyle changes that may help you.

All the best.

Tos

meg4u profile image
meg4u

Thankyou for replying Its an area with few comments as I am not sure anyone knows. Would love a Cardiologist on here though 🤔

Tos92 profile image
Tos92 in reply to meg4u

I’m not sure if you’re a drinker and a smoker but I imagine limiting or stopping both of those would help.

hi as per Hidden once you have plaque it’s there to stay, but the important thing is to halt it’s progression through meds AND lifestyle changes. Also what’s there indeed needs stabilising as per above.

I have non calcified plaque in LAD (Ct scan said “at least 50% so ok, have had angiogram later that shows not main issue) which I think but don’t quote me (not a doctor) is more likely to rupture but it’s not at a level that’s causing blood flow restriction (I have something else that does that 🤨) but I am hoping by taking my statin (I’m very limited in exercise but food has to be my thing) it will help halt it and stabilise what is already there.

good luck. To stent or not to stent I have no idea but hope you get the treatments you need when you need it👍

let’s hope so only meds and lifestyle 🤞

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

It's not necessarily how blocked the artery is but whether you have symptoms of angina and how well the blood flows through the coronary arteries.

There was a large study carried out comparing coronary bypass surgery, stents and medication to treat stable angina. The ISCHEMIA trail.

The results for some were counter intuitive.

Interventions like surgery and stents didn't necessarily reduce the number of major cardiac events in people living with stable or moderate ischaemia, lack of blood suppy.

There isn't any robust research that suggests you can reverse the build up of plaque in your arteries.

You can help prevent further build up of plaque getting worse by adopting a heart healthy lifestyle. In particular by stopping smoking.

Cholesterol can be lowered with statins which also help stabilise areas of plaque and reduce inflammation.

acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiolog....

The BHF website has some information about how live a heart healthy way.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

However it's not that straightforward. Stents are indeed life saving during an episode of acute coronary syndrome with a completely blocked coronary artery.

The ISCHEMIA trial was specifically about stable angina (chronic coronary syndrome).

You can have a heart attack when a small piece of plaque breaks off or a blood clot blocks the artery with minimal or even no obstructions.

I have unobstructed coronary arteries but still at risk of a heart attack because my coronary arteries go into transient contrictions.

I live with frequent episodes of debilitating angina.

It's a funny old world😊

meg4u profile image
meg4u

Thankyou for your reply..yes, I am on Atorvastatin 80 mg and it cannot be reduced down. The only thing I have that's a treat is a small slice of toast seeded no margarine or butter and a teaspoon of raspberry jam. If it means I can be 97 like my Mum was when she passed, then I will be strict with my diet.I can do more walking but have so many things packed in my day I will try though as I love nature and walking

I appreciate your comment Thankyou for taking the time to reply..will look at the websites.

meg4u profile image
meg4u

Thankyou for reassuring text. I'm going to keep up the exercise and increase it. Also get more interesting healthy recipes. I'm 10 Stine would love to fet to 9 stone as the lighter you are the better for the heart. Maybe another walk a day will assist in that area.I will let you know how it goes as on Cardio rehabilitation for 8 weeks ..completed 3 weeks so far ..then a stress test ..then a meeting with the Cardiologist. Hopefully, things will have improved a lot by then. I expect to gave list more weight and fitter too ..but with these meds weightloss is very slow Thankyou for all the comments..so glad I posted 😊

meg4u profile image
meg4u

That's reassuring..thankyou so much. I am going to improve on the walking its a brisk walk but going to maje it more intense The Cardiac Rehabilitation are upping our speed every week... obviously it's to improve the heart muscle and oxygen So if I increase this every day I should improve Very kind of you to take the time to give me this information has made me a lot more optimistic 😊

Tommo46 profile image
Tommo46

I would suggest looking at alternatives as well as drugs. There is a lot of evidence coming to light concerning Pommegranite juice an it’s ability to “clean” blood vessels as well as lowering cholesterol numbers. As far as I can see no one is claiming it is a wonder treatment but there is plenty of evidence to back claims that it can lower levels of cholesterol from scientific research done around the world but not so much in the Uk. Try Beetroot juice as well, works wonders in widening arteries for some and personally having tried it, I can say it seems to work. I have LAD at plus 70% which seemingly cannot be resolved by stenting so medication is the alternative at the moment. The main being Ranexa with the usual Apaxiban, prosopralol and clopigogral. The cardiologist suggested the Beetroot juice, another the Pommegranite and with that lot I have had an improvement in BP, SpO2 and with no recurring Angina symptoms for 3 months so something is working!

meg4u profile image
meg4u in reply to Tommo46

Great I will get this Thankyou Please keep sending anything that works on this

meg4u profile image
meg4u in reply to Tommo46

Thankyou so much for replying I will do that too.is there anything else your doing such as with diet or exercise. Thankyou for sending this information The only other thing I've been told by alternative medicine is Q10 200 mil daily but must be high quality

Tommo46 profile image
Tommo46

there are numerous papers from around the world on the www which have been published following research, the last I read was from Israel. I am a great believer in "mind over matter” and am not suggesting everything works for everybody but in my case the improvement has been verified my the medics and tests. It is fair to point out that I forgot Atorvastin from my drugs but as I said, something is working!!

meg4u profile image
meg4u

Thankyou Any tips I will try as live natural foods I was told Niacin helps too but have to clear this with the Dr. People talk about awesome 4 some dk what this is There are so many you tubes with " this clears arteries" would be good if someone has proved thisThankyou, again for your advice

Tommo46 profile image
Tommo46

Good morning meg4U and re Q10, I have no knowledge of the product and, in fact, until you quoted it, had never heard of it! That is probably because I feel that there are so many claims going around about all sorts of medications, supplements and vitamins I tend to ignore much of it, probably wrongly so. As to anything additional that I might do, not really. I have kept a dog for 50 years now and am alway up and out by about 6am, then several times during the day, probably walking a total of 5 or so miles each day. I never used to worry about what I ate (probably a good clue as to why I have an LAD problem ) but having had the "hard word" from the medics, we are reasonably careful now!! It helps that I have never smoked and intake of alcohol has always been on the low side, maybe half a dozen units a week until I found that it doesn't mix with the current medication, without standing the risk of falling over sooner!!

meg4u profile image
meg4u in reply to Tommo46

I am seeing the Cardiologist at the end of July I will ask if its OK to take it The Pharmacist said its very good and take it..I suppose they should know too. A good quality Q10 is expensive I believe.All that you are doing is very important as well as trying to be sugar free and trans fat free..no good for arteries!

Thankyou for replying 😊

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