Angiogram results

[IamAli_R]

Hello, everyone.

I hope you are all.

I haven't posted on the BHF page for a while, but I have been following posts on here.

I had an angiogram on Monday, 24th July. I was very nervous, but the team at the Cardiac Cebtre was brilliant and very understanding.

The actual procedure was nothing like I had imagined, and I was in and out of the Cath Lab in around 25 minutes. The Diazepam really helped, too.

I was told that my angiogram was normal and that the chest pain I'd been experiencing while running wasn't cardic. I was told that there was a small lesion but nothing to worry about. The doctor told me to continue with the statin but stop the blood thinners.

To say I was over the moon would be an understatement.

However, I received results in the post today (see below). The results seem really positive, but I'm a little concerned about 20% stenosis of the Proximal LAD.

Results of angiogram:

(Lesion) Discrete lesion from Ostial Left Anterior Descending to Proximal Left Anterior Descending, 20% stenosis with full perfusion, normal flow.

?PCI

Access: RRA

Catheter: 5F JL3.5 & JR4

Findings

LMS: Patent

LAD: Minor atheroma in proximal vessel

LCx: Normal

RCA: Dominant, normal

Impression

Minor atheroma

Plan

Medical treatment of risk factors

GP follow up

CC

Dr M

Complications

None

Treatment Plan

Treatment plan as above

Referred To : GP Follow-up

: Follow up with GP

Reported By

: Dr C N

I would love to hear from anyone with similar findings and what they are doing to keep the stenosis from getting worse?

I'd appreciate any comments about the above findings and if I have anything to worry about?

I know these are positive findings and the majority of the people on here have far worse diagnosis but my anxiety is trying to play out al the worst case scenarios and I'd appreciate any positive feedback and tips on how to move forward.

I would love to start running again, and I wonder if it's safe to push myself physically again given the above findings.

I will double-check this with my cardiologist, but the appointment with him won't be for another 3 or 4 months

Ali

[Gribbin]

I cannot help decipher your results, but from what you say you're not in a bad place. My angiogram wasn't such good news... I agree the Diazepam certainly helped the process.

The cardio rehab team are easy to contact through your local hospital, or your GP and will help set your mind at ease, and help with your recovery... you may not have many physical side effects from your procedure, but it sounds like you may benefit from some counselling?

Good luck with your recovery.

[Manhattan1 in reply to Gribbin]

Hi😊.. also had an angiogram December 2020.. Cardiologist said minimal atherosclerosis of LAD.. unfortunately i didn’t receive a report.. wish i had lolol.. but unlike you ( i think aspirin is a blood thinner?).. i’ve been told to continue with 75mg of aspirin daily.. would be interesting to find out if anyone else on the board with minimal atherosclerosis also told to continue with blood thinners

[IamAli_R in reply to Manhattan1]

Hello Manhattan1.

Asprin is a blood thinner at the dose. It would be interesting to hear from other people with mild atherosclerosis and blood thinners.

What has been your experience since being diagnosed with mild atherosclerosis? Have you had any issues exercising?

I want to get back into running, and I'm not sure how much to push myself.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to IamAli_R]

I am on clopidogrel.I have vasospastic angina, which is a type of angina/ischaemia without blocked coronary arteries.

[VickyHK72 in reply to IamAli_R]

Hi there, I have mild atheroma in my LAD. Both the cardiologist and lipid clinic doctor (I have a genetic high cholesterol condition and a terrible family history of early HA deaths) advised me to exercise (I specifically asked the lipid clinic Dr if I should ‘push myself’ when exercising and he said a firm yes) Hence I did the couch to 5k and then was running 5 or 6k 3 times a week until I got an Achilles injury, so then I joined the swimming club and train 4 hours a week with them and do a Pilates class once a week which is brilliant. I’ve never felt better. But I suffer a lot with anxiety, I’ll be swimming and think ‘am I more breathless than usual? Is the lifeguard paying attention?!’ I made sure the coaches know about my condition just in case! But I manage to keep a lid on the anxiety mostly (I had some counselling and did a few mindfulness courses which helped)

Personally I think exercise really helps in many levels . There’s a lady called Angela Hartley who’s an ex cardiac nurse, she runs zoom classes (and one to one sessions) for people with heart issues who want to exercise safely. Google ‘healthy hearties’. Not used her personally but I read a lot of positive stuff about her classes and she obviously has valuable medical experience. Good luck

[IamAli_R in reply to VickyHK72]

Hello VickyHK72,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and sharing your experiences.

I feel reassured after reading your reply.

I used to run 5k 3 times a week, too, until October 2022. I stopped running because I had mild chest pain towards the end of my runs, and that put me on the road to having an angiogram as well other tests.

I have now been told that the chest pain I experienced then was not from my heart, and I am keen on getting back to running. I will start the couch to 5K again. I'm just a little anxious about running again, but I will push myself.

What sort of diet are you following?

[VickyHK72 in reply to IamAli_R]

I’m trying to follow the Mediterranean diet, I avoid red meat and have cut right back on alcohol, caffeine and saturated fat - I lost 2 stone which was great and helped me feel a bit more in control.

I was really anxious about starting running but I found doing couch to 5k meant it was structured and achievable. I still worry a lot but I feel

Like at least I’m

Doing everything I can to help my heart.

[IamAli_R in reply to Gribbin]

Hello Gribbin,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and advise.

I hope you are in good health and good spirits.

I think I might try to contact the Cardiac Rehab Team.

I've had counselling in the past and might revisit it again.

[Zed1063 in reply to IamAli_R]

Just a heads up .......... great everyone replies but if you are in Colchester the Cardiac rehab team are rubbish! You get no support and no where if you don't 'DO' what they say they will not even be polite to you! Hopefully where you live they are supportive. Good luck and all the best

[IamAli_R in reply to Zed1063]

Hello Zed1063,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and sharing your experiences.

I am sorry to hear that you've had such a poor experience with the rehabilitation team at your local hospital.

I haven't been offered cardiac rehabilitation because my issues are minor.

[Jedi14]

Hi Ali,

I had angiogram and follow up stents put in! You've come out very lucky the 20% stenosis is nothing compared to my >50%, 95%, 100%.

We have Cardio rehab classes online every week. This covers topics about various topics medications, activities diet etc...check for times in your hospital.

[IamAli_R in reply to Jedi14]

Hello Jedi14,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and sharing your experiences.

Gosh, your diagnosis really does put my 20% perspective.

How did you cope with such a serious diagnosis?

What sort of exercise and diet do you follow?

[HarryJ81]

I’m no Dr, but 20% stenosis is apparently nothing to worry about provided you stay on your statin and/or make what ever lifestyle adjustments are required.

From what I have read, 70% stenosis is where Drs start to think about interventions, but even then they look at the pressure and flow through the vessel.

I understand the anxiety - I had 80-90% stenosis in my LAD, had the stent and am “fixed” - but I still worry constantly about “what if”.

I just have to trust what the Drs say and if they say “don’t worry” then I shouldn’t. (but it’s very difficult haha)

[IamAli_R in reply to HarryJ81]

Hello HarryJ81,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and sharing your experiences.

Having read your and others' replies, 20% doesn't sound bad at all.

My anxiety is playing up, but I do feel reassured by the replies to my post. But like you, my anxious mind is playing the 'what if' thoughts on repeat.

However, I feel my anxiety will Improve once I start exercising again.

[Qualipop]

Ignore the 20%. If you are on statins and you have modified your diet to more healthy options , 20% is nothing to worry about. After my heart attack and 2 stents, I had a second angiogram to check on 2 other part blockages they had found. Both were 64% blocked which seemed scary to me but I was told that wasn't bad enough for stents so they were left . Blood was flowing freely despite the blockages and I have no angina symptoms. Obviously now 5 years down the line I do worry whether they've got worse but I've had echo scans and monitors and have been assured that they are fine. All I can do is keep taking the statins and keep a close eye on my diet so they don't get worse.

[IamAli_R in reply to Qualipop]

Hello Qualipop,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and sharing your experiences.

Having read the replies to my post, the consensus seems to be to ignore the 20%, and I will do my best to follow that advice.

I have been taking statins since January, and my total cholesterol is down from 5.1 to 2.6.

I'm struggling with diet choices. What type of diet are you following?

You seen to have been through a lot with your heart disease, and I hope you are well.

[Qualipop in reply to IamAli_R]

LOok on the main page of the British Heart Foundation website for a link to recipes and advice on diet. The Mediterranean diet is always suggested. Basically cook from scratch; no takeaways no processed food, cut down on red meat and saturated fats like cheese, cook with olive oil or high quality rape seed oil. Cut right down on cakes biscuits, crisps etc and only moderate alcohol and of course don't smoke. It's not hard and an occasional slip up won't harm as long as it is occasional.

[VickyHK72 in reply to Qualipop]

I’ve used lots of recipes on the BHF website, there are some lovely ones! I also like Good housekeeping recipes as they tell you not only the calories but the saturated fat as well. Diabetes uk also has a lot of really good recipes. I’m borderline type 2 (another generic gift!) so started looking at diabetes uk recipes and found some great ones.

[IamAli_R in reply to VickyHK72]

Thanks, VickyHK72. I will look at the websites you've suggested. I'm pre-diabetic, too. Thanks for all your advice.

[IamAli_R in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks, Qualipop. I will check the BHF website. Thankfully, I don't drink or smoke and not a fan of biscuits or crisps. Thank you for all your advice.

[JaninS]

My results from angiogram 2 yrs ago were very similar to yours. I remained on the same meds as prescribed when I first had symptoms of angina. Betablocker to slow heart rate a bit, aspirin as blood thinner, statin. Over the last 2 years angina has got worse, in other words comes on more quickly on least exercise. Now also prescribed nitrate and advised to use GTN spray if planning exercise. I must admit at not being good at trying exercise. Some of the comments on here have inspired me. I would say maybe discuss using GTN spray with your G.P. too. But keep up exercise.

[IamAli_R in reply to JaninS]

Hello JaninS,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and sharing your experiences.

I was asked to take aspirin and blood thinners for 5 days days before my angiogram, and I have been taking statins since January. After the angiogram, the cardiologist told me to just continue the satins.

Do you know why they had kept you all the extra drugs despite having a minor issue?

I was prescribed GTN spray but have never used it.

[IamAli_R]

Hello StentLAD,

Thank you for taking the time to reply and sharing your experiences.

Wow, my 20% stenosis really is nothing compared to your condition.

I admire how you've taken such a serious diagnosis in your stride. I feel inspired by reading the replies and will definitely do the couch to 5k.

I ran regularly until October 2022.

What sort of diet are you following?

[IamAli_R]

Thanks, StentLAD, I'm not a fan of red meat, but I think I'll have to look at the processed food in my diet.

There is a park run near where I live and I'll look into joining.

Thanks for all your advice.