No stent

[Merlo9]

I have diffused cronorary artery disease in Lad 70% have been told treatment by medication only is this the normal procedure i didnt get to speak to the doctor after the angiogram just got some notes with a list of medication 🤔

[Maxbar]

hi MerloI was in a very similar position to yourself lad 70% blockage but they tried to put a stent in but couldn't as the plaque was diffused over a 7cm length of artery so he did do the balloon stent option and said I may need to have a bypass at some point,

tat was 2 yrs ago it seems it is difficult to stent diffused plaque.

anyway 2 yrs along the line I am still getting on with my life with a multitude of drugs for bp and dual platelet therapy .

they decided not to do a bypass as I am doing so well, what I am saying is don't panic get your lifestyle right if it isn't already ,and you should be OK .

I would want to talk the options through with a cardiologist if you can make that happen .

good luck don't hesitate to ask if you need any help, regards .

[Merlo9 in reply to Maxbar]

Thanks stent would be difficult i think i didnt get to speak to a cardiologist and seems im referred back to my Gp who seems to think there's no problem as long as I take the medication I have to admit it was overwhelmed at first but 3mts on im feeling better

[30912]

I can only relate my own personal experience which was whilst undergoing tests for my AF, I was asked about cardiac family history. On mentioning that my father had a quadruple heart bypass at age 71, they booked me in for an angiogram. Result was an 80-90 percent blocked LAD which was not stented due to its location at the junction of another vein. A bifurcation lesion they called it. Difficult to stent apparently. This was 7 years ago.

As I have zero symptoms of angina (and still don't), they put me on 40mg daily dose of Atorvastatin, so it could be 'normal' procedure but very much depending on the individuals circumstances.

Wishing you well with it.

[Merlo9 in reply to 30912]

Similar story my father had a bypass at 57 and i dont have angina symptons either x thanks fo the reply its eased my mind x

[Jedi14]

Does 70% refer to total blockages (average) or in one of the vessels?

[Merlo9 in reply to Jedi14]

In one (lad) others are normal or mild

[Jedi14 in reply to Merlo9]

Are you in any pain? If yes go to your GP immediately! If no take the meds regularly plus dietary changes and see where that gets you in a couple of months.

[Merlo9 in reply to Jedi14]

No pain actually feel fine so the cocktail of pills are hopefully working i know diet is the key so im trying my best to get that sorted x thanks for the reply

[Jedi14 in reply to Merlo9]

Sounds good! I knowthis may sound extreme, but anything painful you can do now to yourself (dietary) will be worth it in the long run! Any hospital procedure has risks and the longer you can avoid getting stents etc the better. Best of luck (oh, don't forget exercise).

[Merlo9 in reply to Jedi14]

Lol read my mind ive swimming booked tues and thurs ! The diet is a work in progress 🙌

[Jedi14 in reply to Jedi14]

Do you know how fanatastic that is! I've had to stop my swimming ever since my stents. Apparently not recommended for hearties like me!!! I live in hope that one day I will return to swimming.

[Merlo9 in reply to Jedi14]

Oh no x hopefully you'll get back to it Good luck to you and thanks for replying

[Lezzers]

My husband has lived with a totally blocked LAD for nearly 30 years after a heart attack and cardiac arrest. Neither stents or a bypass were/are an option so he's been managed on medication since. Medication, good diet & exercise are key.

[Merlo9 in reply to Lezzers]

Wow x well done him (and you) thats good to hear 🩷

[Pundit999 in reply to Lezzers]

They placed a stent in my almost completely blocked LAD a week back.

12 years ago I had angina and failed a stress test . I declined the angioplasty recommended and instead went on a whole plants only diet and regular walking. I lost a lot of weight and was able to manage just fine for 12 years . Angina was gone over time

After the pandemic my social gatherings and meeting with friends for drinks and snacks increased and I did not follow the strict diet fully

I developed angina on even low exertion

Visited the emergency room where they found my tropopin levels in 40s. Was not an emergency as angina was non existent at rest but I decided to get the LAD occlusion fixed

I believe I have always had a severe block in my LAD for over a decade .

It is possible to handle total occlusion . They also told me I have a well developed set of collaterals that have helped me over the years

[Lezzers in reply to Pundit999]

It's not ideal, but yes you're completely right it is possible to live with it, my husband being the proof of that, though I recognise that may not be the case for everyone. The collaterals are the hearts own natural bypass.

Initially he did get unstable angina quite a lot and was in & out of hospital with it, it took him a year to complete cardiac re-hab as he kept being readmitted but eventually with meds the angina settled down too.

Well done you on the initial good living, I think lots of people, including me & my husband, went off the rails a bit after the pandemic, I know I worried about that a lot. But he had MIBI in 2021/22 & his cardiologist said there was nothing significant to be concerned about which was a relief to hear.

[Farmer63]

I also have diffused heart, not as common as ordinary heart disease,if you could call it ordinary. Basically it it multiple blockages in your arteries, this is why it is more awkward to treat. However I had a HA 2022, and had two stents inserted,one in my lad. What I could understand from my cardiologist is, the problem is when it comes to open heart surgery it is considered to then treat with medication rather than surgery. Maybe everyone is different but if you're blockage is severe then stents should be considered. However am no expert so best to listen to your cardiologist, but don't be afraid to ask questions. Any information on disfused heart disease is hard to come by. Feel free to contact me if you wish.

[Merlo9 in reply to Farmer63]

Thanks for the reply the angiogram summary does have some jargon at the bottom of the page saying if refactory angina then Ffr Pci to Rsa will be considered x im going to see my gp who will hopefully be able to explain what that is 🤞

[Farmer63 in reply to Merlo9]

Good luck. Just to say I have a wonderful gp who did explain to me, actually at a wedding, what diffused heart disease was. He reassured me if I continue with my meds I should be fine, with no future intervention needed.

[Merlo9 in reply to Farmer63]

Thats great x thank you im starting to feel more positive now 👌

[Farmer63 in reply to Merlo9]

👍

[Loobycare]

In my experience they will only fit a stent if 80% or more of the artery is clogged.

[Merlo9 in reply to Loobycare]

Thanks x im glad i found this group im learning so much