Blocked Artery

[wozwell]

Hi, I have been diagnosed, after many scans, x'rays, MRI and Doppler of having a blocked artery under my shoulder blade, 80% blocked, restricting the blood supply to my brain. I have an appointment in April to see a vascular consultant. I feel so poorly and now scared, is this dangerous and will my symptoms go when I have a stent placed?

[Suzym2u Moderator Vasculitis UK]

Sorry to hear this, what type of vasculitis do you have... and which hospital are you going to?

[wozwell in reply to Suzym2u]

I have one blocked artery that supplies the brain. I am on Warfarin and have been referred to the Morriston Hospital in Cardiff. A&E were so worried whilst I was thee that they have scared me. I just need to know that nothing will happen while I am waiting to see the consultant. He as had all the scans. Thanks for replying

[Hidden in reply to wozwell]

Hi Wozwell,

If your blocked artery is due to Vasculitis ( which is an auto immune disease ) then you need immunosuppressants not warfarin. Also a Vascular surgeon will know very little about Vasculitis, you need a Rheumatologist.

I think you need to phone or e mail the VUK Helpline and John or myself can advise you further. If it is Vasculitis then you can't wait till April to be seen.

Please do get in touch

Lynn

[wozwell in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lyn. I only seem to have one artery blocked, 80%. Under my should blade I think where the arteries separate.Nothing else showed on the scans this was picked up with a Doppler scan. I feel very weak and have throbbing like blood pulsing in my head when I first get up. My BP dropped to between 60/50 and 80/67 that is when I went back to my GP and he sent me to casualty.He found that my left hand BP was lower than my right. I trust that the vascular consultants who have read my scans feel it can wait until April. I don't know the cause and had no advice so am scared as the A&E dept were so worried at first and then sent me home. Added to this, my husband is having cancer prostate surgery on 23rd Feb and I need to be able to nurse him after this. Very scary time Thanks for replying

[PMRpro in reply to Hidden]

From what I understand wozwell to be saying it may be a subclavian artery thrombosis causing the occlusion - and they will be using warfarin to reduce the risk of further clots forming and getting caught in the narrowed section of the artery.

It causes subclavian steal syndrome - which is a differential diagnosis in GCA - and I presume the symptoms may mimic other more acute problems. I imagine the vascular surgeon has assessed the 80% occlusion and decided that that is enough with anticoagulation therapy to wait until April.

There are various reasons for the occlusion - and damage due to a previous vasculitis is only one.

[wozwell in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply. My main concern is being taken ill suddenly at home because of this. Need to know that I am 'safe' her as we live remotely. I have been on Warfarin for many years following a PE. Feeling ill, dizzy, light headed, pulsing in my head like my blood is rushing round and last week, very low BP? and generally poorly, would all of this be caused if I have the subclavian syndrome you suggest? Yes, It is in that are that she said the blockage was one of the two arteries , where they apparently separate .Do you mind my asking if you are a health professional as your reply made sense and it seemed professional. Thankyou again

[PMRpro in reply to wozwell]

I think they can all be symptoms of it - it depends where the blockage is.

I'm not a doctor, I have a physiology degree and worked in the NHS for some years and in other medical-related fields for most of my life. My husband's specialist field in the NHS was vascular medicine - he ran the vascular lab in one hospital for several years, developing new tests there too, and I worked in the lab for a while too. I have worked with him in his research which needed a lot of background knowledge which I now make use of on the forums.

[Hidden]

The helpline details

vasculitis.org.uk/helpline

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Were you given a diagnosis? Don't know if this is helpful?

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