Stent

[Daffodil565]

Hi,

Last year I had an angiogram. It showed a fast heartbeat and a right artery blockage of 70%

I am taking procoralan 5mg daily. The cardiologist said there is no threat to me so that's very positive. If I remain symptomatic he may consider putting in a stent.

I have discomfort in my chest, a heavy feeling, palpations, some shortness of breath, dizziness in and off and tiredness.

Would appreciate any feedback about how the stent works and would it relieve the discomfort and my other symptoms.

Thanks

[RockcodN8]

last spring I experienced shortness of breath and and icy feeling in my chest when jogging. Turns out my angiogram showed 93% blockage of my LAD and 70% in my RCA. 5 stents later I am doing much better and can ride my bike for 15-20miles at a reasonable pace. I am not symptom free as above 130BPM heart rate while exercising can begin to feel chest tightness so I manage my pace to keep heart rate below 130BPM. Stents really improved my situation.

[Parsley56 in reply to RockcodN8]

That's amazing! I'm impressed and encouraged!🤜🤛

[Daffodil565 in reply to Parsley56]

Very happy to hear that. I wish you well🙂

[Daffodil565 in reply to RockcodN8]

Hi and thanks for your reply. Am glad to hear you are doing well. Long may it last 🙂

Hopefully once I see the cardiologist he will guide if stent is needed or not.

It may help my situation if I get a stent. Will see what he says.

[Jedi14]

Unless you have other problems you hav'nt told us - go and get a stent, tell your GP you have these problems. My Surgeon immediately fixed 70% blockages. I have a total of 6 stents, it should also change your meds.

[Daffodil565 in reply to Jedi14]

Hi and thank you for your reply. My cardiologist wrote to my GP. This is what he said.

The right coronary artery was studied first. It is a very large dominant vessel with an intermediate severity 60-70% stenosis in the mid vessel. Proximally the vessel is at least 5mm proximate of the stenosis. The vessel is 3.5-4mm. The remainder of part two into part three is at least 8.5mm. The posterolateral and posterior descending branches are large. The left main is normal, the left circumflex is non dominant with atheroma. The LAD and diagonal system is free of significant disease.

I was very tachycardic during the procedure he said. Started me on 2.5mg of Ivabradine 2.5mg daily. Due to I having mild asthma beta blockers have been avoided.

He said he will see how I settle with better heart rate control. If I remain symptomatic or represents we will do FFR+- intervention to right coronary depending on symptoms. Prognostically the right coronary artery us not threatening me and ideally should be medically managed with risk factor control, weight reduction etc.

Don't know what it means the large vessel in my right coronary artery or what it all means really. At least he said it's not a threat to me.

I do though have palpitations and discomfort in my chest and my respiratory physician has asked the cardiologist to see me soon so hopefully then we can see what's best to do.

I suppose I'm not helping matters by smoking and my weight isn't ideal either. My father had angina and sadly passed away due to heart attack. An uncle on my mother's side did have four blocked arteries. He never smoked or drank and was in early 40's when he started to get shortness of breath. He had a quadruple bypass. His cardiologist told him it was a hereditary condition. My risk factor is probably high too.

I just thought I would share here what my cardiologist found on my angiogram.

He is a lovely man so hopefully he will put me right soon.

Thanks.

[Jedi14]

Seems like all is well sussed! All you need to do is self control, like me you have it in the family therfore we need to try a little harder. Keep me posted. Thanks

[Daffodil565 in reply to Jedi14]

Thanks and yes self control is very important. I think it's probably definitely heredity.

I'll let you know how things go. I am a little worried about my symptoms. Hopefully the cardiologist will see me soon.

All the best🙂

[Daffodil565 in reply to Jedi14]

Hi

Just a quick update. I saw my cardiologist a few days back and he said a stent would be the way to go from here and should help my symptoms.

He said another angiogram needs to be done. Not sure if stent will be put in at the same time not. Not sure.

He started me on clopidogrel 75mg along with the Aspirin I already take. Am wondering how long the clopidogrel needs to be taken before having a stent put in. Any idea?

Just waiting for now for news on when angiogram will be done.

Thanks.

[Jedi14]

Well this is positive news! You have been started on some medications to get your blood to flow easily without getting clogged up, meanwhile. Looks like they may well do some stenting work during your angiogram, let me know how you get on. Remember that all treatments are linked to required lifestyle changes also!

[Daffodil565 in reply to Jedi14]

Many thanks for your reply. Yes I think maybe they will do the stent work during the angiogram hopefully.

Definitely lifestyle changes are very important too which I'm doing. My GP also started me on lipocomb and stopped the atrovastatatin I was taking. The cardiologist seemed happy with the change.

I'll keep you posted and thanks again.

[Daffodil565 in reply to Jedi14]

Hi again,

Just a quick update. Am possibly going to have a stent inserted this Friday. Will be admitted to hospital for a repeat angiogram with FFR analysis and if my lesion is flow remitting a stent will be inserted.

Not sure so all depends on the repeat angiogram. Will have ECG and routine bloods done today.

Overnight stay in hospital on Friday for observation as well.

I suppose will know all on Friday once they do the angiogram.

Have quiet a bit of palpations and tiredness but will be in the best hands.

Just thought I would update you and thanks again for your replies.

Will let you know how it goes after my angiogram.

[Hidden]

The best thing you should do immediately is stop smoking as you are playing russian roulette with your health. This comes from an ex smoker of 30 a day.

I was prescribed champix and had stopped within 2 weeks. That was over 10 years ago.

Sorry for being so brutal, i know surgeons dont really want to operate on smokers as they come with a greater risk of not making it through the op.

[Daffodil565 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, yes you are right. The smoking is a killer! Am trying to reduce. Did take champix years ago. Unfortunately they didn't suit me. At the moment am a bit stressed out.

I wish I never smoked that's for sure!! Am definitely in a frame of mind to quit. Know very well they are not helping me one bit.

Well done to you for quitting.

[Hidden]

When i was in ICU after my bypass there was an older gentleman that they struggled to ressucitate. They eventally managed too get him to come around and he was only in for a hernia repair.

I heard his breathing and it was extremly laboured, his wife was so distraught.

I lay in my bed and thanked god i stopped when i did. It does get easier and now i find it hard to remember when i smoked. It can be done.

[Daffodil565 in reply to Hidden]

You're right, it definitely can be done. It's hard but if determined enough will succeed.

I know the cigarettes are slowly killing me. Really do need to quit if I want to be here for a good while longer🙂

Will give it my best shot. Thanks for your words of wisdom and the best of health to you always.