Arteries blocked - very anxious

[Sitosea]

About a year ago I visited GP with chest discomfort on exertion. She referred me and I eventually saw a cardiologist followed by an echocardiogram and, last week, a stress echo. After this the consultant told me I had blocked arteries and explained this to me although I can't remember all he said. He prescribed me a GTN spray and told me he would refer me for an angiogram. When asked about waiting times he told me it could be six months. Since then I've been extremely anxious about the wait and convinced I am about to have a heart attack. I'm thinking about this all the time and wondered if anyone has any suggestions about what to do.

[Happyrosie]

my husband, 23 years ago, was in a similar position to you. He had to wait a year for an angiogram, and following that some stent insertions.

And well here he is at age 82 in fine fettle, playing golf twice a week.

If your case was urgent you would be seen quicker, I believe.

But you can chat all this through with a BHF cardiac nurse, details of opening times on their website.

[Sitosea in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks Rosie, that lifted my spirits a bit. All the best to you and the golfer.

[devonian186]

The cardiologist should have sent your notes to your GP.

You may need to contact the latter for a fuller explanation of what was found, as "blocked arteries" sounds more dramatic than "some arteries blocked 50%".

If they had been blocked in the sense we understand them you likely would have been put forward for much more urgent attention.

[popeyetheace]

similar situation here. I'm more worried about losing my hgv licence and obviously my job as a result.

[Popepaul]

My understanding is that surgery only becomes necessary if the occlusion is 70% or more. You could always opt for a private angiogram. A stress test during MRI gives even great diagnostic certainty.

[HamishBoxer]

Trying reading up on Nattokinase , safe and natural. Easily available too.

[RhiaArtist in reply to HamishBoxer]

YES!

[Sitosea in reply to HamishBoxer]

Hi Hamish. Thanks for your reply. I've read some research on Nattokinase and it all looks pretty positive. Do you use it?

[HamishBoxer in reply to Sitosea]

Yes, I do despite on Apixaban. I use Block Buster Clear from Good Health Naturally.

[Sitosea in reply to HamishBoxer]

Thanks

[HamishBoxer in reply to Sitosea]

Anytime.

[Pundit999]

You have "stable angina": chest pains that manifest on exertion and go away after rest.

Because you are having symptoms and have failed a stress test, you unfortunately likely have blockages that are > 70%.

But the body can live with such blockages for a long time or forever. You do not seem to be under imminent danger otherwise they would have done the angiogram already.

I had the same issue: failed a stress test 12 years ago and only recently got a stent after the angina got worse.

You should talk to your doctor for a high dose statin, an aspirin etc. I am surprised they did not already prescribe them.

And follow a whole plants only diet and walk 2-3 miles daily. You may not need that procedure if you change your life style. Read Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Dr Esselstyn.

[Qualipop]

I had a heart attack 6 years ago and two s tents fitted to open up blocked arteries. At the same time they found two more part blockages that were 64% blocked which is below the level at which they fit stents and as blood was still flowing well through them, nothing was done. I'm sure if yours were worse than that they would have booked an angiogram far quicker.

[Darp]

If you feel ill with chest pain or getting out of breath, go to A&E and get ECG and it is a pain to do this but better to be safe than sorry good luck with your

[GoldfishPond]

Hi, I fully understand that pretty much you are given the information in a small time frame, and then off you go to worry about it. I was no different, it's the questions you don't even know exist at the moment that come up and bite you. My block is classed as Moderate (there is an official scale for this) and I was given the choice of a stent or medication this was during the angioplasty. I chose the medication and keep my GTN spray close to hand. My overriding observation is to find out as much about it as possible and ask questions when you get stumped, but mostly learn to recognise what your body is telling you. For me 90% of my chest discomfort is muscular or gastric, and the times I think it might be the Angina I take a spray or two of GTN and so far all is well. Good luck

[EdtheDead]

My wife was just the same. Severe breathlessness, mild chest pain so saw the Doctor. Referred her to the rapid chest pain clinic where she was seen then given a CT Scan a month later. They told her she needed an Angiogram due to blocked arteries. After 6 months she had this done and 1 stent fitted. She's been as fit as a fiddle for the last 18 months since she had it done.

[Jedi14]

Feel free to use the GTN spray!

[SuddenShock]

I have "severe" CAD and need urgent bypass surgery, diagnosed in January. I am not good at taking my own advice but as someone said to me "only the squeaky wheel gets the oil"