carer

[annestock]

i have given up work to care for my husband who has unstable angina & has had 2 mild attacks of angina his right artery is 60% blocked how much blocked does it have to be before a stent will be fitted ? also he now has no reflexes in his legs & is constant in pain with his lower back

[sassy59]

I don’t really understand why he’s not had a stent fitted already. I would ask the doctor about that. Best regards xxxxx

[Hidden]

Hi annestock. Sorry to hear you've had to give up your job to care for your husband. I know it's quite a big step and can be really isolating and challenging. And although now is the time to start asking questions, they should probably be put to the health professional looking after him, rather than people like us, using the HealthUnlocked forum, who aren't qualified to give answers to direct medical questions like 'how blocked does an artery have to be before a stent's fitted?'

From the sounds of it, now would be a good idea from both your perspectives, but there may be sound reasons why it isn't happening. Such as long surgical waiting lists when there are others already in more serious need than your husband, or some underlying medical condition that your husband has, which has to be remedied before he can have surgery.

So, make yourself a pest with your husband's GP. Ask him or her all the things that are troubling you, and, if you need to, push for the treatments your husband needs, that will help to ease your own burden in looking after him.

Sadly, with the parlous state that our NHS is in, many things are falling through cracks and lots of them turn out to be things than can easily be ignored by the medical profession because someone's not making a fuss. So make one! And good luck!

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi annastock, welcome to the forum. Have you asked your GP or your husband's cardiologist about the stent? As Callendersgall has stated, there could be reasons why a stent has not been fitted. You may also find it helpful to contact The British Heart Foundation bhf.org.uk. They offer publications, a heart helpline and heart support groups. Please continue to post on the forum and let us know how you are getting on. Best wishes.