LAD

[kaypeeoh]

Last year I had 100% obstruction of the lateral anterior descending coronary artery. Nurses pointed out it's known as the widow maker. Treatment was endoscopy to flush the obstruction then placing a stent to keep the vessel open.

What led to this was my barfing during the midday run. I'd barf then rinse with water then continue running. It seemed to work but lately the chest pain is back. No vomiting but the same pain I remember from last year; Left side of the chest directly over the heart. The doctor said maybe a smaller obstruction.

So today I had another endoscopy and a heart scan. Before the procedure the nurses shaved my wrists. Then shaved 'down there'.

The nurse said it's best to have more than one spot shaved so the doctor has a choice of surgical sites.

But no shaving was done down there last year. Last year everything was done while I was anesthetized. This time everything was done with me awake. Yes, I was awake as she shaved 'down here' . The doc punctured the wrist artery then threaded the scope down to my heart. And found no obstruction. The artery is wide open.

So no answer. He said he'll consult and get back to me.

But nobody said I can't go running while waiting.

[Despe]

Kay,

If I were you, I would wait for further instructions from your doctor. I would suspect some light form of exercising would be OK.

My husband had a >99% carotid artery stenosis and he didn't know about it until he went to his ophthalmologist due to vision problem in the right eye.

[ling in reply to Despe]

What vision problem did your husband experience?

Thank you

[Despe in reply to ling]

Blurry.

[bassofspades]

This happens to be my area of expertise, so I'll chime in. I was a Cath Lab tech for many years, only recently retired in March 2021.They shave the wrist and the groin because about 10% of the time, the doctor cant get good access to the coronary arteries from the wrist approach. They would have to switch to the groin mid procedure, so its better to just have it ready in advance instead of reprepping and redraping. The reason they dont just go from the groin right from the beginning is because if they did, you would have to lie flat for 4 to 6 or more houors after the procedure to prevent bleeding at the groin access site. By going through the wrist, you can sit up right away and be more comfortable. If they didnt prep the groin the first time, they should have. Thats a no no. But glad they were able to get you fixed up and alll through the wrist approach, thats great!

Take it easy on that wrist and hand for a week or so. Its probably OK to go running if they didnt say that was restricted. No bowling, though! Definitley NEVER smoke, your blockage will come right back. If you run, you probably dont smoke anyway. Also, i f they told you to take antiplatelet medicine, such as asprin, plavix, brillinta, etc, dont miss a dose.

We typicically did these procedures under "conscious sedation", so you would be somewhere between totally asleep and wide awake, depending on how much they gave you and your tolerance to the medication. Most people are comfortable, some fall asleep, some dont, some dont remember anything, some remember everything. The only time we did them under general was when the patient was exceedingly nervous or uncooperative.

If you are getting chest pain when you exert yourself, go a little easier. Sometiems the coronary arteries can spasm and temprorarily block the necessary amount of blood flow. They usually prescribe nitroglycerine for this. This would probably explain why they didnt see a blockage during the procedure. I use words like probably because I am not a doctor, you see, so I am probably not allowed to say definitley in these instances.

Dont forget, you had a blockage last year and that probably caused some damage to the heart muscle. So now it has to work extra hard to pump the blood while youre running. I guess running is addictive, so its probably futile to recommend that you switch to brisk walking. But take my advice, dont overdo it. Many many MANY runners still get coronary artery disease even though you think its good for you. I saw it all the time. I dont know why that is, but its a fact. If you still feel chest pain when you run, just stop running. Dont barf and continue. Then let your doctor know so he can either repeat the test or prescribe nitro or something. The reason barfing makes you feel better is probably because of the vagal response which lowers blood pressure. Again, I am saying PROBABLY!

Good luck to you my friend!

[MarionP in reply to bassofspades]

Very good information for a lot of us I think.

[kaypeeoh]

Thanks for the note. The doc couldn't be bothered to explain any of that so I appreciate your input. After the procedure he asked my wife if I was angry at him. She said he was quite upset about that. The nurse had said he's on staff at Yale Medical school, so prolly a bright guy. But every one of the 30 or so doctors I've seen over the past 3 years is a bright guy. These bright guys diagnosed me with liver tumor, MS, APS, PD, DVT, BPH, CAD, hypertension and Heglund's Deformity.

[bassofspades in reply to kaypeeoh]

Just want to add, and I should have said this before, if you have chest pain again call 911 immediately. They don't call it widow maker for nothing!

[MarionP in reply to kaypeeoh]

Maybe you should send him a copy of Bass's comment and tell him it came from a technician.

"The doc couldn't be bothered to explain any of that so I appreciate your input. After the procedure he asked my wife if I was angry at him." Son of a bitch! Maybe he just doesn't want you running anymore.