Do we have control over this? “Although NHS guidelines tell doctors to treat only the artery which caused the attack, ........?

[sandybrown]

The procedure, known as preventative angioplasty, has been shown to cut the risk of death and other serious complications by two thirds.

At present, patients undergo an emergency operation called an angioplasty immediately after the attack when doctors insert a thin tube – a stent – into the blocked artery to allow blood to flow through.

During surgery they often discover that other arteries are partly blocked, which could cause another heart attack in the future.

Although NHS guidelines tell doctors to treat only the artery which caused the attack, some experts have been inserting stents into other high-risk vessels in the hope of preventing future problems.

Because each procedure can trigger bleeding, strokes or another heart attack, and incurs an extra cost, many doctors do not believe it is worth it.

Saving money and lives: Doctors believe the surgery should be adopted routinely because it could save millions of pounds

It costs the NHS around £700 to carry out the procedure on one artery, which includes general aesthetic, so having additional blood vessels repaired at the same time will not be significantly more expensive.

[florence5]

Coronary artery disease is progressive so it makes sense to treat all affected arterial sites at the same time. It is a procedure which carries some risk in any case and the increase in radiation to the patient would be less than having repeated procedures.Having had an angioplasty this year for a severely narrowed artery which was causing unstable angina, I have since discovered that I have another three partially narrowed arteries which are a bit like ticking time bombs. I would have been grateful for the opportunity to have them all treated at the same time, reducing cost to the NHS over time as well as anxiety and probable ill health for me in the coming years.

[eastridingbigden in reply to florence5]

I agree entirley with you florence5 I have had the same done to me nearly 2 years ago stents put in then called back again 6 months later and at the time has the stents was put in the nurse said I had more artreys blocked why did they not do the all thing i am sure there is money being made at our expense then called back to see a surgeon last march and told he wanted to do a triple heart bypass as it was so bad anyway after questioning him did not feel secure what with the cut backs etc so told him no way he was upset i can tell you but am still here to tell you the story so has far as I am concerned made the right decision cardovascular diease is not curable just treatable

[sandybrown in reply to eastridingbigden]

Hello,

Private health and NHS all there to make money.

After my life line screening first time I gave the report to my GP, nothing happened, two years later I went for another life line screening, compared the two reports and had questions and did not get satisfactory answers from GP. Went for blue crest screening and then armed with the report asked GP for a referral to see a cardiologist to check for "BBB".

Very interesting, private health outpatient limit, I had to watch! it was recommended that I had an echo cardiogram and a stress test (not electro cardiogram, report mentioned a 12 lead electro cardiogram only!), cardiologist could have done an electro cardiogram on the same day as my consultation at his clinic.

Because of the money limit I cancelled the stress test, the cardiologist did not know this until I went to check the Echo cardiogram results, and (this was done at a NHS hospital as a private patient!).

There was a conversation between the secretary and the cardiologist, cardiologist was not happy! As it happened there are no problems. Stress test results can give additional information, who make the decision on an operation for investigation for "BBB"? "Do I want to go for it?” Well I am happy to live my life without the investigation!

Now the cardiologist will be writing for a referral for stress test via NHS, waiting list!

For me at the end of the day money and money is everyone is after!

On the side, in Sri Lanka a cardiologist did consultation, echo cardiogram and electro cardiogram all with an hour on the same afternoon, and medication! I was there with my brother.

[eastridingbigden]

agree entireley big leg doctors consultants are only after money along with the pharho companys its up to us patients to watch them they are all taking the michael I could use a stronger word but won't hope fully a new government or the EU will take action