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
Written by
IamAli_R
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
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?
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Angiogram Results
AF and now coronary artery disease at 47. I recently had a CT angiogram and the results aren’t great. Back to being scared and worried. 
Heart attack discharge report
What is 25 AU 
