I have recently been diagnosed with severe Triple Vessel Disease and have been informed that the only treatment available is by medication management. My cardiologist has told me that it is aggressive and I have the arteries of a 80- 90 year old person( I am 67)
This has totally shocked me as I feel quite fit and healthy at the moment and I’m not sure how fast my arteries will deteriorate. My anxiety and fears have taken a beating and I’m struggling to come to terms with this. Can anybody please let me know if they have had similar diagnosis and how they are managing life with this disease.
Thank you.
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Toffodog
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I do not have a similar diagnosis, but you might research the program of Dr Dean Ornish, investigate whole food plant based eating and double down on a heart healthy lifestyle to add to the medical management.
In my educated opinion I would say the opposite, the heart is a muscle and all muscles need animal protein and fat. Plant foods are to be consumed sparingly. Plant based diets/protein lack B vitamins amino acids that are crucial for cell function. Plant based diets flood the body with sugar at every meal.
Yes, people who eat a WFPB diet, in this day and age of sanitary water, need to take a B12 supplement - that is a very important point. Thank you for pointing this out. Notwithstanding your educated opinion, is it not quite interesting that so many animals (including elephants and great apes) are able to grow and support muscles (including their hearts) on a largely plant based diet.
is there no way of treating it with bypass surgery ? Forgive my ignorance on the subject . I had nstemi heart attack , was told I had 3 blocked arteries not suitable for stenting . I ended up with 4x CABG.
Thank you for your reply, I did ask about by pass possibilities but I was told that the artery narrowing is too close to my heart so there is nothing to bypass to therefore I wouldn’t qualify for that procedure
What about stents? I’d be inclined to ask for a second opinion. It sounds as though the cardiologist was being rather dismissive, telling you you have the arteries of an 80-90 year old isn’t exactly constructive.
Hi Alison, I believe the cardiologist was trying to illustrate how bad my arteries are by stating the 80-90 years old but as you say it’s not very professional. I have had three stents inserted in all three main arteries which were large enough to take a stent however my severe disease is very low down close to my heart and nothing to bypass to which is the reasons it’s not an option for me.
Maybe ask about “percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational atherectomy (PTCRA) – where a small rotating device is used to remove the fatty deposit”, It’s not very good just being told there’s nothing more we can do. this is an NHS information webpage
Hi Pete, I wasn’t aware of PTCRA procedure but I will put a call out to speak with my consultant to see if this would be a viable option to at least give me a better outcome to a longer life.
Have you been told your calcium Score as this is a good indicator of where you are against others of your age - there are on line calculators, you just put in the numbers, also once you know your calcium score there is a table 1-10 minimal (low risk) 11-100 mild and so forth
I don't know if this will do any good but a year or so ago I read an article on a study at the University of Aberdeen on a new drug called Trodusquemine that melts away fat in arteries. Studies on mice and human cells were very positive and a follow up study on a small number of human volunteers was as well. I don't know if there are any more human trials you could possibly get into or what is going on with it now but you might want to check into it. bbc.com/news/articles/cerlx...
Hi Tiyna, I did see a similar article about the trials of this new drug which does sound really promising but I couldn’t find any indication when it might be accepted by NICE governing body but I’ll be keeping a look out thank you
I have severe triple vessel disease too they've also called it difuse coronary artery disease i couldn't have bypass surgery or stents either mine is also being medically managed as well on what the doctors call DAPT Duel Antiplatelet Therapy along with all the other medication.
I'm doing ok now they've stopped the Bisoprol I was on as it was causing my heart to beat too slowly my BP was on the floor making me feel awful have changed my lifestyle and eating healthy cut out salt sugar and alcohol don't miss it go walking as much as I can but get very fatigued and sleep alot.
Hi Coopergirl52 I’m sorry to hear you also have this type of coronary disease, and thank you for your response. I am also being treated with medication to help my arteries cope and to prevent any further plaque build up . Could you please tell me how long you have been affected by TVD and the feelings you had when you were diagnosed? The reason I ask is because I have fears about angina returning because I know that this will be an indicator that things are getting worse. I have also noticed that I am getting swelling in my legs and very itchy skin and been informed that this is due to reduced blood flow, so now I’m looking at every little change as an indicator that I’m getting worse and was just wondering if you have any similar things happening. Thank you
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