Ischeamic heart disease

[Alfie33]

I got a letter from my doctor explaining my condition. 2x cardic arrests ischeamic heart disease, PCI, STEMI , Aortic regoritation, Mittal regoritation, Aortic valve disease, Impaired left ventricular function. Is this what ischeamic heart disease is or is this aswell as

[PadThaiNoodles]

Ischaemic heart disease refers to the heart muscle not getting enough blood. A heart attack is an acute case of ischaemic heart disease; STEMI is a heart attack which produces a certain ECG pattern.

PCI is an intervention to open blocked coronary arteries (usually involving a stent). Often performed in the case of a STEMI.

The valve issues (aortic regurgitation, mitral regurgitation and aortic valve disease) are "as well as".

Impaired left ventricular function means your main pumping chamber isn't 100%. It can be caused by ischaemic heart disease, valve issues, or other things.

[Alfie33 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Thankyou very much for the information. Does explain why im so breathless

[Chinkoflight in reply to Alfie33]

PadThai mentions left ventricular function as not being 100%. This is the colloquial use of not 100%. They will use a measure called ejection fraction and if you can see any of your test results (echocardiogram or cardiac MRI) you will see EF as a number. My understanding of this measure it's never any where near 100. To be 100 your heart would have to contract to no space inside , that is expel every last drop of blood from the chamber. You will need to check this for your data but I have an EF of 46. I have scarring and some severe thinning of the left ventricle but this EF is still deemed good. It can be scary to read an EF say of 30% but this may not be as worrying as it looks. There is an enormous amount of stuff to get your head round. It's no wonder that heart specialists take so long to acquire the knowledge and skills they have.

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Chinkoflight]

Yes, good point. Probably not the best choice of words on my part as there’s ample room for confusion with EF.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

The forum guidelines request that we speak from experience.

Do you live with ischaemic heart disease?

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Milkfairy]

I have a lived experience of deciphering my cardiologist's and cardio-thoracic surgeon's letters.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Ischaemia means lack of oxygen rich blood supply.

Myocardial ischaemia is a lack of blood supply to the heart, the symptoms are angina.

Severe prolonged myocardial ischaemia can cause a heart attack, myocardial infarction. .

STEMI is an ST elevation myocardial Infarction.

PCI Percutaneous coronary intervention, like a stent being inserted to open up the blocked artery.

A heart attack can disrupt the rthymns in the heart causing a cardiac arrest.

Ischaemic Heart disease is caused usually by a permanent blockage of the artery due to a build of cholesterol plaques or by microvascular or vasospastic angina.

[Alfie33 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you for that information

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Alfie 33. You have a bit of a list if things to get your head around and you've had some helpful starter for ten information. It can seem daunting and you've clearly identified an impact on your day to day health and breathing difficulty. As you get to understand what's happened you can if you wish look for ways to help the medics and yourself find ways of improving your health. It is possible to get very down and think of things you can no longer do, when in reality there will be new ways of improving your health and fitness. So when discussing your mobility with the Doctor or nurses ask what you can do too! I hope this doesn't sound too preaching,