Hi everyone , I had a angiogram on2nd March which showed a 50% blockage in proximal LAD . Had stress echocardiogram on Friday after waiting 4mths , now cardiologist is referring me to Interventions dept. for another angiogram with pressure wire test to check blood flow. If needed am I correct that a stent would be fitted at the same time…. He wasn’t too concerned about my 80% blockage in distal LAD as said this only supply’s blood to small area of the heart but the mid supply’s the front of the heart. The reason for all these tests started in December when I lifted a tv and had an ache across chest which after being in A&E overnight on heart monitor was decided not heart related. Since my first angiogram was six years ago they wanted to check again. Thank you for reading
update on my situation so far - British Heart Fou...
update on my situation so far
Hi Plum53
I hope you’re well today.
Sorry I cannot offer any advice on the blockage or stenting. I believe there are forum members who have been stented, and others who haven’t with a higher a blockage as medication can maintain/decrease their symptoms and blockage.
I just wanted to say good luck for your upcoming test and to let us know how it went.
All the best.
Tos
Thank you Tos92 for your swift reply. The trouble is everything takes so long . I thought this last test would be the end of it I have already cancelled one holiday and now it seems I may need to cancel another. I feel my life is on hold the moment . I have read all your posts so hope you too are doing well.
forgot to say that since the 80% blockage was found I have been treated with medication and only had an episode of angina in September 2020. What is worrying is no mention of another blockage at that time so did that 50% form in the last 6.1/2years …….
Unfortunately, due to back logs and other issues such as staff shortages, I believe there will be a delay in some appointments. Hopefully you don’t need to cancel, but if you do, it is better to travel knowing that you can safely do so as opposed to travelling and perhaps, stressing about / not knowing fully what is wrong with your heart which might defeat the purpose of a holiday as you want to be able to relax.
Blockages / stenting isn’t something that I’m too knowledgeable about however, I would think it is possible to develop a blockage within the space of 2 years. Have they said what is causing your previous blockage at 80% ?
Hi TOS cardiologist who spoke to me in November 16 said it would have built up after long time years . He gave me letter saying fit to fly as I was going in my first cruise to the Caribbean for our 40th anniversary. I thought I would have a stent but when I got back he said they had decided to treat with medication.
Thank you Bekind28 you always take the time to reply. I just want to know if a stent would be fitted if needed when they do the pressure wire test. Maybe someone on here has had that done . Will see if anyone comes back to me on that. Take care
will do. X
If needed, then yes a stent would be fitted at the same time.
I had an angiogram in April - before the procedure I told the doc I didn’t want a stent unless absolutely necessary. Doc understood and explained they would do the angiogram, assess any blockage, assess blood flow and then make a decision.
The decision was to do a stent, which they did at the same time. I’m sure these things are assessed case by case - but they certainly can stent at the time of angiogram and, if needed, probably ought to for efficiency’s sake.
Thank you for replying, did they do a pressure wire test during angiogram and then stent. April isn’t that long ago how are you now …do you feel an improvement yet. Sorry for all the questions just really interested. I hope you are doing well
If they were on the fence about whether to stent or not, they would have done the pressure test - but given the extent of the blockage (80-90%) and the position of the blockage (proximal to mid) the decision was to stent in any event.
I’m feeling fine, thanks. The meds I was on prior to the procedure kept me symptom free, so the stent didn’t relieve any symptoms. But it’s certainly nice knowing that the blockage has been sorted and the rest of my arteries are clean.
All I can add is that recent research is in favor of medication vs stents unless absolutely necessary. I had 2 stents in LAD with 90-95% blockage, which did not prevent an HA 8 months later due to plaque breaking off in a different artery (circumflex) -- at which point I had 2 more stents. Stents are not therapy but more like a short-term fix for an event or very likely event. It is certainly the usual procedure to stent at same time of angiogram for efficiency's sake...good luck and let us know how you get on!
Thank you for your reply, the Cardiologist told me that stents will not stop you having a heart attack but are to help with symptoms. I think because the 50% blockage is where it is then this is a concern as supplies blood to large area at front of heart. He also said they can’t be positive it is 50% it could be 60% and that blockages are hard to judge.
I agree that blockages are hard to judge without "going in." My LAD blockage was assessed at "more than 60%" at first but an angiogram revealed 90-95%, thus the stents...my brother, on the other hand, has a very similar health profile to me, but LAD blockage of around 50% so he's on high dose of statins only, and his cardiologist is not particularly concerned unless he develops angina...
Yes stents relieve an existing blockage but do not stop a HA from occuring. The only difference is that once stented you are almost always put on the same medications as those that can not be stented so got the same level of protection afterwards. The tendency is to stent the LAD if the wire pressure test shows a lack of blood flow which is insufficient for your needs.
Morning Plum53
I had the angiogram done in 21 and they found significant disease in the mid-LAD afterwards he told he would consult with a colleague and after a few weeks they decided to treat with medication. They changed a few and recently after contacting the cardiologist as I hadn’t had a check up in 2 years because of back log I was told, so they put me in Empagliflozin. Waiting on a new ultrasound fingers crossed. I was told I could plan a holiday for next year too. Good luck 😊
Hi thank you for replying, for my 80.% blockage I was put on medication and after a year discharged and to just see Gp. Told if I was to get any more symptoms then to get referred back to cardiology. I also suffer with my back and I’m waiting results of MRI scan. This has been going on for years (was told wear and tear) but I’m now using a stick when I walk anywhere to take pressure off. Hard to tell sometimes if I’m a bit breathless due to being unfit as I can’t walk miles with the back problem or if it’s due to heart. Wishing you a good result and that you don’t have a long wait.
You’re writing my story. I’ve have spinal stenosis after failed surgery 40 years ago a lot of wear and tear. I have been on Tramadol all that time. I also use a walking stick. I worked up to I was 58 and I couldn’t go on so that was that retired me then took HF.
I really feel for you it ruins our quality of life . I once said to a Gp that I’m looking at people older than me and they are walking so much better than I can … he said ‘yes and the other half are dead. Well what can you say to that 😟 not a lot lol
yeah true my GPs aren’t so good , I feel we’ve went back in time with the service. I’ve 2 grandchildren that I can’t do the things I’d love to do because of it but I’m still around making memories. Try to be positive it helps me sometimes not sure if you’ve heard of Pumping Marvellous web site but if not give it a go a lot of positive stuff on there. All the best 😉
good luck. I hope you get on well.
Good look and i hope you get on well.My advice is a bit crass considering i've read the thread and you mention back problems and mobility issues- but my advice is to lose weight and do more exercise.
After suffering angina upon exercise i did lose weight and did more exercise, my angina symptoms went but by then i was on the cardiology test pathway.I decided a few days before my elective anagram that i would ring up and cancel.My wife didn't like that plan and to stay married i went.
You've had an angiogram so know whats involved.They always stent if they can just as surely as they always put everyone on statins.Sometimes stunting is tricky so they might choose meds.I envy the people who get the meds (high dose statin and an aspirin which they give you anyway even if they stent).
Statin is not the only way to lower cholesterol , exercise is king- but you've mentioned mobility issues.
My angiogram was a disaster and i got very angry.The interventionists didn't do anything wrong, it was just a shock hearing what they had to say.Left main narrowed, distal LAD 30mm blockage.They are giving me this info and i am looking at the screen trying to follow what they are saying.I went off the deep end when they said we can't stent this too risky you'll have to have a bypass.
I was arguing my case.Just stent it, blow it up with one of those balloons.No.No.
Anyway heres the bit that may or may not be relevant to you- and please check this information or someone else please come on and say that i am wrong-but in my case.The case of someone quite argumentative and not cowed by either professional qualifications or the fact i had a wire sticking all the way up my arm and into my heart their side of the argument went something like this.
"We don't perform bypass surgery on just anyone.If we can get stents in we will, and if we can't we have to prove that a bypass is necessary.It's not just my opinion that you need a bypass.It has to be a medical fact with a proven blockage greater than 70%."
"How'd you do that?"
And that's where the pressure test comes in.I failed and they recommended a bypass.
In my case i didn't want it but again my wife views prevailed. i had a double using both mammarys.they wanted to do a quadruple only this time my powers of persuasion/common sense/bombasticness prevailed.
Thank you for your info , how are you doing now. I could do with loosing a stone and I do go to SlimmingWorld so will get that off. Hopefully if they say I need a stent then they will do one but they may decide to carryon with medication. Will just have to wait and see. Wishing you well
I had a stent fitted in January 2019 top of LAD. This February had an angiogram and another stent fitted a bit below the original and I asked the cardiologist why so soon. He said they had noted that blockage when fitting the first stent but took a wait and see approach. All tests were carried out using a wire pressure test. He told me all other arteries were clear and upped my Atorvistatin again so he appears happy enough. I have never had a HA or any other symptoms that i am aware of.
Hi, I’m really glad you seem to be doing so well. Thank you for passing on your experience really helpful to me. I did wonder if a stent was fitted and another blockage showed up beyond that stent then could they go passed it and stent so that’s good to know . Good luck going forward
You are welcome and rest assured if they do decide another stent then you will be very well covered with medication. The statins are so good now at stopping plaque and stabilising it and also you would be on the dual antiplatelet therapy for at least a year so really you will be fine. Only look for trouble when trouble looks for you and good luck going forward to yourself.
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