Current Postings on This Page (57):
Mondhu in Maldives -- First of all, we are not doctors and, as our disclaimer states: "No information on this Forum should be viewed as a substitute for medical advice or as a consultation with a medical doctor." You should read over our various Forum Topics on heart attack, exercise, etc., but basically you need to lower your risk factors: watch your diet, exercise and take your prescribed meds. Plavix (clopidogrel) is an anti-clotting drug, not necessarily "anti-clogging". What that means is that Plavix keeps the blood from clotting inside the stent (called thrombosis: a very serious event) but it doesn't stop the progression of coronary artery disease, which can cause tissue growth inside the stent, or elsewhere. For that, you need to do everything you can to lower your risk factors (as described). Rosuvas which is a statin (called Crestor in the U.S.) will help lower your cholesterol. Long-term effects of Plavix vary with individuals and you can read about them elsewhere, but the fact that you are recovering well is a great sign. Just keep it up, and discuss these issues with your cardiologist who can perhaps prescribe some specific things for you to do to continue your recovery.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 12, 2012 |
Hi Doctor, I am a 44 year old Male who suffered a heart attack just 4 weeks back. Upon doing an angiogram, it was found that there was a 100% occluded proximally at RCA. PCI to RCA was recommended and PTCA and stenting was done a week later. The stent was 2.75x28mm "Xience Prime" (DES) at 10atm. And it was post dilated with 3x10mm "Falcon Forte" NC balloon at 12-14 ATM. A good angiographic result with TIMI III flow was shown. I have been prescribed Plavix 75mg, Ecorin 150mg, Rosuvas 20, Imdur 30, Tanatril 2.5mgm and Partocid 20. Now I am recovering well with little discomfort. Pls clarify to me how I should change my lifestyle and what are the long term effects of being on anti clogging medication. I never smoked but always on the higher borderline of Cholesterol level.
Mondhu, Raiy Villa, Maldives, February 12, 2012
Jane -- not clear why you posted to this topic.
Have you previously had an angioplasty or stent placed? In any case, we cannot
give this type of medical advice on this board -- nor can anyone who is
long-distance. We would urge you to ask this question of your cardiologist
or doctor who ordered the ECHO. Why did your doctor order the test and how
does he/she interpret the results? Do you have chest pain, etc. A standard
angiogram is a safe diagnostic procedure, but it is an invasive one and
unless there are specific reasons to suspect coronary disease, it's not
usually indicated.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 15, 2011
I am a female age 50 with normal BP but diabetic
and cholesterol just above normal i request for an expert advice on the
basis of my following ECHO test, and also please tell me do i need angiography
test Mild Left Ventricle Dilation Mild left ventricle systolic dysfunction,
ejection fraction 50% No aortic regurgitation/aortic stenosis Right Heart
is normal No pericardial pathology.
Jane, London, England, February 15, 2011
Bhavesh -- the big question is whether the new
blockage is significant, whether it needs to be treated. This depends
on how large it is, where it is, whether it is causing a significant slowdown
in blood flow, whether it is causing pain. Unnecessarily stenting insignificant
blockages has been shown to have poorer outcomes than leaving them alone
and treating them medically. However, if the blockage is causing problems
and IS significant, restoring sufficient blood flow to the heart muscle
can relieve symptoms AND possibly aid the heart muscle.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 10, 2010
hi am 28 years old. Had an angioplasty to LAD
in 2008; again in 2010 have developed a blockage just beyond the stent.
I
dont want to undergo surgery. Are
there
any other options?
bhavesh, Mumbai, Maharastra, India, September 7, 2010
Anne -- a 20% narrowing is not something that
would be treated through revascularization and is probably not something
causing any problems. See our response below
from September 15, 2009 about what you can do to reduce the chances of
reocclusion, as well as progression of coronary artery disease. As for
pain, that can be subjective to some extent. If you've been experiencing
pain
(angina)
for
a long time,
the
sensation
may
remain
even after the cause has been removed.
This may go away or lessen, as has been your experience -- there are
also anti-anginal drugs that can help. But if the angina returns and is
signficiant,
definitely talk to
your
cardiologist.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 20, 2010
I have had 2 DE stents placed for 85% and 95% blockages. I am still having
the same pains in my chest, but less frequently. All ECG's have been fine, but
it's not east to be relaxed about this. The cardiologist said that I also had
a 20% blockage in another artery, which was not stented. I am a 60 year-old woman,
and now very confused. I am on Aspirin and Plavix. What should I do if I have
more severe chest pain?
Anne Henderson Richards, Brisbane, Australia, March 9, 2010
JD -- the medication in drug-eluting stents does
its job during the first three-six months or so (this varies with the brand
of stent). The concept here is based somewhat on data that most restenosis
(reblocking) of bare metal stents occurs in the first six months, if it
is going to occur at all. So with DES, if all goes well, which it does
in 90% or more the time, after this initial period, the endothelial
cells
cover
the
metal
stent
struts
completely
and the interior
wall of the artery remains smooth. If the drug, which keeps cell growth
from occurring, is too strong, or lasts too long a time, this natural healing
is inhibited. Of course, it is important for the patient to stay on Plavix
and aspirin while this healing is taking place (the first year or more)
in order to minimize the chance of any blood cells attaching and accumulating
around the exposed metal struts. Also to reduce controllable risk factors
through lifestyle changes and adherence to medical therapy.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 15, 2009
I was wondering if anyone knows the length of
time that the DES stents continue to inhibit scar tissue. I had 3 taxus
and 2 cypher stents placed in 2004, 2005. Is there a time period where
the medication wears off of the stent?
Thanks for your help.
JD, Florida, USA, September 9, 2009
Imran -- there are a number of possible reasons
for a stent to reblock -- even a medicated or drug-eluting stent, although
the risk of reblockage is significantly reduced with this device. Stopping
smoking, staying compliant with medication and diet are all good things.
The idea
is to reduce your risk factors as much as possible. One risk factor we
cannot yet reduce is the genetic factor -- family history. Certain people
have a greater tendency for atherosclerosis. But with modern medicines
and interventions, if and when needed, much of this can be controlled.
Dr. Dean Ornish is an American cardiologist who has developed a diet which
has achieved success in some. You can read more about it here (this
is NOT an endorsement of any specific plan, including this one). By the
way, how was your reblockage
diagnosed and was it treated with a balloon or stent?
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, August 26, 2009
I had 3 stents (medicated) in my RCA a year ago,
during a recent medical checkup one of the stent was found 80% occluded.
What could be the reasons especially once I never smoked after stenting
and also been regular in medication. Can u
please suggest some good diet.
imran K., Islamabad, Pakistan, August 26, 2009
Frank -- your wife clearly is high risk for restenosis.
Drug-eluting stents will hopefully be helpful here. In the bare metal stent
era, when restenosis occurred, it was usually within the first six months. Can
a stent close up in a shorter time? Perhaps not usually, but then your
wife's history is not "usual". Definitely communicate your wife's
recent episode (arm pain, paleness, pain, etc.) to the interventional
cardiologist who did the stenting (we assume that's the "doctor" you're
referring to). Ask if he/she thinks a less invasive test might be appropriate
(for example, a CT
angiogram with contrast, which is non-invasive and fast)
to see if the stents are patent. As for the plavix/aspirin every other
day, we can't say why your doctor has prescribed this, but you should ask
why -- we are not giving out medical advice here, but we do urge patients
to ask questions of their doctors until they understand why something is
or isn't being done. Perhaps your cardiologist is concerned about bleeding
complications. Let us know how things turn out and good luck.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 6, 2008
My wife was diagnosed w/ spasming arteries after
a recent cath that showed patent new stents (patent @ 5 wks) and patent
LIMA & SVG grafts post CABG (1 yr 4 mos). She was put on 30mg Isosorbide
4x a day and still takes sublingual nitro but not as many as she used to
since being put on this new medicine. She also takes Coreg 6.25mg 2x a
day. . Since then the Coreg went to 4x a day but she was too dizzy and
had to stop. At 2 mos since the stents went in & almost 4 wks since last
cath, something changed this weekend. Instead of her usual chest pressure
she was woken with chest pressure & last night while at a function she
had the worst episode just sitting in her chair. She turned white, her
jaw hurt, she had arm pain. Her bp was 134/76 p72 when we got home and
nitro helped for a short period (30 min). She has blocked stents (for
the last 3 years) within 3 mos each time and is on the highest dosage statins,
takes all meds but is diabetic over30 yrs. This is happening a lot just
in the last few days and her nitro usage is at least 4x a day today. The
dr is not taking seriously because he looked almost 4 weeks ago but she
is worsening. The question is can an artery restenose that quickly? Knowing
her history should I really be pushing another look? I thank you again
for your advice. I am very
upset by the recent turn.
Frank G., New Jersey, USA, April 6, 2008
My wife had 4x CABG 1 1/2 years ago. Within 6
mos she closed the vein graft to the RCA. 1 yr after a native branch off
the circumflex closed (a native artery). It was reopened with a stent (bare
metal) and closed right down. Reopened with a balloon and that shifted
plaque into the circumflex itself and that required 2 stents and that closed
off the branch cutting the original bare metal stent
in "stent jail". That branch closed. At 6 weeks she had a cath because chest
pressure and jaw pain was back and it showed the circumflex was still opened
and stents patent. Now at 10 weeks the chest pressure is worse, jaw pain worse,
dizziness, she is woken up by chest pressure (gastric ruled out), she responds
to nitro, she has high bp controlled by meds but not enough because her bp is
still 140/85 p 85. The Dr says its too soon at 10 weeks for a blockage. She has
small arteries (2.5mm) and has reblocked prior to the CABG within 3 mos. She
is diabetic since 7 - now age 42, takes insulin, capoten, aspirin & plavix every
other day per the doctor. With gastric ruled out, its really not too soon for
a new blockage in 2 stents in the circumflex is it? (The 2 new stents put in
the circumflex were drug eluting stents.) Plus, the entire world takes plavix
and aspirin every day. I do not understand why her Dr says every other day? Does
this put her at a greater risk (although every time she's had stents in past,
he did the same and she never had a clot but she did reblock in a short period)?
Is that why?
Frank G., New Jersey, USA, April 1, 2008
Dave -- smoking is perhaps the number one risk
factor for artery narrowing. Angioplasty and stenting are mechanical fixes
for a biological problem. They give you a "second chance" but
it is very important to make changes in lifestyle (such as stopping smoking),
diet,
etc. as well as stay compliant with any medications your cardiologist prescribes.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 31, 2008
Hi.. I went through angioplasty last Nov. BY
God's grace all went on great...I have a medicated stent inserted. I just
want to know if this narrowing of the
arteries happen time & again? If so, how much time does it take for the arteries
to narrow down?? Does smoking contribute to narrowing of the arteries, what else
does??? If there is a Doctor in the the house, I'll appreciate if you could lay
down the facts for me... GOD BLESS YOU ALL & LOOK we all are gonna die someday...
Lets invest our time in GOD so that we can enjoy
the life after death with HIM.
Dave, India, March 26, 2008
Pankaj -- your question is not really about RE-occlusion,
but we'll try to help. Your father's interventional cardiologist is the
best person to explain this
to you,
because he/she
will have the
necessary clinical information and angiograms to help make a judgement.
Two 85% blockages in the same artery, especially the LAD, would seem
significant.
Does your
father
have symptoms? Certainly angioplasty is an option. But ask questions of
your doctor, especially "how will this treatment help my father?" and "Is
there an alternative, such as medical therapy?". We're not advising
you one way or another -- just suggesting that you get as much information
as you can so you all feel the correct thing is being done.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 16, 2008
My Father is having 2 blocks of 85% in left side
of heart i.e.in LAD IS
Angioplast necessary. Please guide me.
Pankaj, Stanza (retailer), India, March 14, 2008
Dear Angioplasty.Org Staff, I would like to express a
sincere thank you for your response! You folks have my support for the
great job that you do, and this is only day one on this site. Best of
health to you!
Wayne Post, Vancouver Island, Canada, February 25, 2008
Wayne -- the question of whether or not (and how)
to open a total occlusion is one that is much debated in the cardiology
community. If you have significant collaterals, these have not grown overnight,
which would indicate that the total occlusion has been there for some time.
The reason to revascularize (open up a blockage) is to normalize the blood/oxygen
supply to the heart. If the collaterals are already doing that, and you
are not suffering angina, then your cardiologist's opinion is one shared
by many. As for EDTA, a.k.a. chelation therapy, it has never been proven
to
be of value. However, an NIH-sponsored study was
begun
back
in 2002 and is still recruiting. The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy
(TACT) won't be finished recruiting until 2009 (they have 163 centers).
More info about the study can be found at ClinicalTrials.Gov.
We look forward to the results, but as of now, there's no real data to
show this therapy is valid. The danger is that patients will self-treat
(and spend money on the drugs) and avoid the proven therapies. You're
doing the right thing by exercising and staying with your meds. Good luck
and keep in touch.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 25, 2008
I have a DES which opened my 90% blocked LAD Dec/2006). My RCA is completely
blocked. Apparently, my body is making collateral channels around the RCA blockage
and the LAD is assisting by backfilling the RCA. My cardiologist says that bi-pass
or routing the RCA blockage versus leaving things alone as is, won't change my
longevity outcomes. Conclusion: I stick to my heart meds and work out regularly.
Question: does EDTA work on reversing plaque?
Wayne Post, Vancouver Island, Canada, February 25, 2008
Dr. Sumera: How come you are not taking aspirin
(75 - 325 mg) with all other medications? Given no major side effects (ASA
allergies, Ulcers, bleeding etc), my understanding was that after DET combination
therapy (Plavix and ASA)
was mandatory.
Noni, New Jersey, USA, February 24, 2008
This is reply to Sunita on Dr. Dean Ornish program.
It's an excellent program but you have to combine it with aspirin and statins.
Here is my experience.
MI at age 33 (1992). I started on Dr. Ornish's program (perhaps 70%). After 8
years (2000), did get slow progression of CAD (but no new lesion formation! only
progression of 5 old lesions)). Did get stents placed in decade old lesions (LAD
and RCA). Recently went to hospital due to palpitations (NSVT was found perhaps
due to 16 years old scar tissue!). Also on January 2008, a BMS was implanted
on the last small diagonal artery lesion (this lesion was there 8 years ago but
left untreated because of very small size < 2mm). BUT THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT
PROGRESSION OF CAD IN 8 YEARS (from 2000 to 2008!!). I am a South Asian professional
and on 20mg pravachol, 2000 mg Niaspan, 12.5 mg BID Creg, 325 ASA for last 7
years. I really believe that changing my life style (reformed Dr. Ornish program)
and medications kept me alive. (of course I was on Plavix for limited time following
my PCI and stents). I kept all my records (lipid profiles, eating habits, CDs
of 3 cardiac caths and 3 PCI procedures, ECHOs and EStressT) and am planning
to
write a book.
Noni, New Jersey, USA, February 24,
2008
Chrissy -- have you visited an interventional
cardiologist (the specialist who does angioplasty and stenting)? Have your
angiograms that showed the blockages sent to one and see what they say.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, December 27, 2007
I am looking for alternative -- I had 6 bypass
surgery year ago 8 months later closed. cannot do anything else. is that
true?
Chrissy, Florida, USA, December 23, 2007
Crystal -- as a family member, you might be able
to call the cardiologist and describe your father's symptoms. If there
is anything wrong, it should be looked at. There are non-invasive tests
that can be done to rule out problems.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 6, 2007
I NEED HELP PLEASE!!!! My dad had a major heart
attack last year. He had
surgery immediately. Thank god for the quick action of the ER doctors and the
media flight. His main Coronary Artery was blocked 99% the doctor went in and
put 2 stents in. My dad is having pains in his arm and has been for about 2
months. He is stubborn and won't go see the doctor about it. I am worried he
hasn't done
anything to hurt his arm he sits home all the time. Do you know what this could
be? VERY
WORRIED DAUGHTER PLEASE HELP!
Crystal, Illinois, USA, September 3, 2007
My husband had a quadruple bypass in 5-5-05.
On 7-19-07 by cadiac scan he has 2 bypass vessels reclogged by 70 percent.
His cardiologist has recommended for him stent procedure. What kind of
stent would be good?
Roslin, New Jersey, USA, August 2, 2007
My husband had 2 stents inserted in his coronary
artery. 14 months later, after months of shoulder pain, shortness of
breath, lethargy, he had a massive
heart attack and then by pass surgery. It was discovered that his stents had
become completely occluded. What tests should have been performed that would
have indicated that the stents were becoming blocked? He had been taking aspirin
but no other thinning medicine. Thanks.
Mary M., Maryland, USA, July 1, 2007
My Dad has undergone PTCA ( Angioplasty - i.e.
putting a stent to an artery of heart) 6 years back..Can he start doing
Pranayama? Stress Test recently done show mild changes and was positive..however
he had high BP suddenly developed just before starting he stress test
( mental issue mostly)...Can you advise if Pranayam will improve his condition.
he has another 2 arteries blocked - more
than 80%
Uday, Bangalore, India, August 4, 2006
I am asking advice for my mother she had
one block which was 80% and since it was close to the main vessel the
docs suggested for bypass and she is 50yrs old highly diabetic and obese.Just
two days ago she started having breathing problem and they did angiogram
and found that there is another block which is 70% in a ring shaped.Now
the doctors are wondering what would be the best to do.But my question
is that how is that within five months of her bypass she would have got
another block now.Any doctors advice would be appreciated.
Prabha R., India, May 5, 2006
The Best Remedy to all the aforementioned problems
is Yoga, please do Pranayama Yoga for just 20 minutes every day in the
morning and see it for yourself, click the following link to see how to
do yoga: http://www.yogapoint.com/info/pranayama.htm
Murali, Modi, Charlotte,NC,USA, February 23, 2006
I am about 45 . I underwent angioplasty in june
2005 and Allhamdullilah feeling well. My cholesterol, my recent Ett test
was nice as i exercised 12-30 minute. Allhamdullilah i run and am in nice
health. i wish to know how long a stent works and further prevention in
this regard. with thanks.
nazar, business, jhelum, punjab, pakistan, January 28, 2006
I would like to followup on question posted by
Dr. Sumera Tahir. My father is in similar situation after 3 weeks of Angioplasty.
Did you find answers to your question?
Vikas Ratna, Delhi, India, January 16, 2006
I experienced mild chest pains and discomfort
for several days following my stent procedure (a single, drug-eluting stent
in my left anterior descending artery). I now feel fine, aside from occasional
light-headedness, which is likely attributed to my drug regime. Oddly,
none of my physicians had suggested that these symptoms may be experienced.
Peter Hartel, Ontario, Canada, January 03, 2006
I'm here in the Pakistan, aged 42 and had a drug
eluting stent one month ago - which my consultant confirmed was a "good
result" - Now I am experiencing chest discomfort some times i need to take
long breaths as well. I dont want to make a fuss as I am very anxious about
this anyway and feel sure that something awful is going to happen - should
I go back to my consultant again or could this just be the aftermath pains
- any comments would be appreciated as Im just trying to convince myself
that everything is okay. I am takinkg Lipitar 10 mg, Concor 25 mg and Plavix.
I My cholestrol is ideal and BP remains normal Thank you
Dr. Sumera Tahir, IEFR, Pakistan, January 03, 2006
I would like a followup on Jenni Mills from the
UK - I am in a similar situation. What have you found?
Peter Hartel, Canada, December 22, 2005
My husband; (58) had 4 cardiac stents, including
1 drug eluting for 100% RCA block, inserted in June this year. Since then
he has has had left sided epigastric pain (ie under ribs; back thru to
the front) which has become unrelenting and severe. He is now on mophone
to control the pain. He has had 2 cardiac stress tests, with excellent
cardiac function. No angina like pain as he had prior to stenting. Has
anyone heard of this or experienced this?
Bryn & Nigel Stables, New Zealand, December 05, 2005
I am talking about my friend who has got heart
attack 4 weeks ago followed by angioplasty and stenting week after,he was
discharged from hospital 2 weeks ago,since 3 days he felt stitching pain,shortnesof
breath so he was admitted again but his investigation was normal as regard
ECG and troponinT,he still feels stitching pain ,how cuold you explain
it?
Waleed Abdelhamid, South Tees Hospitals, Middlesbrough,UK, May 19, 2005
Just a response to all. Please try Dean Ornish's
school of thought. It is amazing and has worked for my father who is also
diabetic. Everyday walking, reasonably strict diet control, and light exercises
and yoga. You will feel the change.
Sunita, India, November 25, 2005
Hi there, I'm here in the UK, aged 42 and had
a drug eluting stent one week ago - which my consultant confirmed was a "good
result" - however I have continued to experience left arm pain and chest
discomfort - I dont want to make a fuss as I am very anxious about this
anyway and feel sure that something awful is going to happen - should I
go back to my consultant again or could this just be the aftermath pains
- any comments would be appreciated as Im just trying to convince myself
that everything is okay. Thank you
Jenni Mills, UK, August 09, 2005
HI, My mother had undergone a coronary bypass
10 years back. Oflate she had developed couple of blocks again. She had
to undergo an angioplasty for a 90% blockage while another block could
not be cleared (similar to the case of Shankar). Its 50 days now. But ocassionally
she still complains of spasm around the jaw area and heaviness of heart,
similar to the kind of pain she was getting constantly before the angioplasty
was done. Couple of times, she has gone back to taking sorbitrate to bring
herself back to normal. What could be the cause of this?
Jothi Sastry, Bangalore, India, July 28, 2005
Rickey.Marsh, I have had 6 angioplasties with
a total of 12 Coronary Stents inserted in the last 2 years. I need another
which they will do soon. You are not a nut. However, have you ever been
injected with the Anthrax Vaccine?
RayZ, San Marcos CA USA, July 14, 2005
Sankar, Sorry to hear that they couldnt open up
the RCA too. Since you are in CIAL, you may get a second opinion from SCT,
Trivandrum, AIMS or Vellore Med. College. Whenever I was in India, many
people narrated to me their success stories of reversing coronary artery
disease by major lifestyle changes, naturopahy & ayurveda . May be you
should think of parellely perusing alternative therapies too..
Anand, Dubai, July 10, 2005
Sankar -- glad you are walking better than before.
Your cardiologist should be able to answer your questions about whether
the heaviness is due to the right coronary artery still being blocked.
It may be that you are "left dominant" and that the right isn't
doing that much. Impossible for anyone to say without seeing the angiograms.
There are any number of reasons why your cardiologist did not pursue opening
up the RCA. There is a quotation from Voltaire, "Le mieux est l'ennemi
du bien" translated loosely as "Perfection is the Enemy of Good" --
it was often used by angioplasty pioneer, Dr.
Richard Myler, to emphasize that it is important to use caution and
sometimes not do a procedure if you judge it may do more harm than good.
If you have any questions, you might want to get a second opinion, not
so much to question if your cardiologist's diagnosis is correct, but to
put your mind at ease that all that can be done, has been done.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, June 26, 2005
Hi, I am Sankar, from India, 32yrs old male. Ten
days ago, I had PTCA Stenting - TAXUS - for LAD (90% block) with a fair
degree of success. I have 95% block in the RCA. My cardiologist said that
this could not be stented because they could not push through the guide
wire. However, according to him, I should be able to carry on with medications.
I started exercising (brisk walk) two days after the procedure. Prior to
the PTCA, I could not walk even for half an hour, that too very slowly,
due to heaviness in the chest area. Now I am able to walk quite briskly
for one hour exactly. Occassionally, I feel a slight heaviness around the
chest region. I would like to know whether the block in the RCA which could
not be cleared could be the reason for the heaviness during walk. I would
also like to add that when I reduce speed, the heaviness vanishes and thereafter,
I am able to walk even more fast than earlier. Grateful, if a qualified
cardiologist could give me a reply. I am taking Nebivolol, Clopidogrel,
Aspirin, Ramipril, Folic Acid and Rosuvastatin.
Sankar, CIAL, India, June 07, 2005
Rick -- sorry you're having chest pains again.
Are you currently taking any blood-thinner meds like aspirin or Plavix?
Those are important, although Plavix is usually only given for a few months
post-stenting. (Of course, you should only take drugs, even aspirin, if
you've consulted an M.D. -- don't substitute anything from
this or any other website for actual medical care.) You're at 20 months
post-stent and statistics show that if you got this far your original stent "took".
Coronary artery disease is progressive and angioplasty and stenting are
not cures for the disease -- but they are treatments that
can help. Patients can also help themselves by stopping smoking, if they
do, watching diet, exercise and those things -- of course, sometimes the
genes just keep messing us up. In the old days (up until the 80's) you'd
just be given pills and told to sit on the porch for the rest of your life
-- or maybe you'd have bypass surgery. You certainly did the right thing,
going in to the hospital when you felt pains. With the Thallium test positive,
that indicates something is up. But a Thallium scan can't pinpoint physically
where the problem is. It's possible that the area that was stented has
closed up. But more likely, you may be having a blockage in a completely
different area. Without the imaging done in a catheterization, it's impossible
to say. Talk to the cardiologist if you can. Ask if they plan to put in
another stent during the cath if they find another blockage. As for your
concern about your level of care, if you got a Cordis drug-eluting stent
in August 2003, you were among the earliest recipients -- and they were
in short supply at the beginning (the Cypher was only approved in April
of that year). And yes, there are many physicians in the U.S. healthcare
system from other countries and while some don't speak English as well
as others, many are excellent and caring physicians. But the patient comes
first. The important thing is to keep asking questions if you don't understand
the answers (sometime even native English speaking people have trouble
communicating -- ever had that happen?). If you haven't, check out our
article, Your
and Your Physician. And feel free to write back to this Forum. Definitely
let us know how things went.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 21, 2005
Hello, my name is Rick. I had a drug eluting stent
made by the Cordis corporation. Texas: In Aug.03 and this year 2005 I'm
having some mild chest pain and tightness in left side of neck. My heart
feels like it's sticking like pinching in shoulder blade but heart area
only not in back. I had tests at Veterans in Iowa City, hospital on March
22 05. They said it was positive so now i have to go in May 05 for catheterization
to look at heart area. Why couldn't they tell with my thallium dye test?
After all this discomfort. is it because I'm on disability and not good
insurance were treated as put offs in American hospitals,and given foreign
doctors we can't understand? Viet-nam vet wants answers please! God bless
all who are going through stent and other heart work. amen
Rickey.Marsh, East Peoria, Illinois, USA, 61611, April 21, 2005
I had 2 stent placements with 2 stents in 1 artery
and 4 in another, in April 96 and Aug 96. I have chronic chest pain now
and am a Vet being treated at a VA facility. They have done several caths,
the last one over a year ago and it showed 40-50% blockages in 3 arteries.
I am now having tightness in my chest and severe right chest pain. What
are the chances of the blockages growing in that short of a time. The drs
at VA think I am a mental case.
Margaret Dawkins, Oklahoma CIty, OK, April 12, 2005
I have had an angioplasty 7 month ago and have
had a bypass operation 11 years ago, now what can I do to prevent from
restenosis of my coronary arteries?
Taghi, Tehran, Iran, 05 Oct 2003
I am pretty concerned by your response Prince
Tofu, angioplasy and stenting is not "palliative" , it actually can have
more benefits than surgery. Your inaccurate remark is of concern, especially
when you are posting it on a website that may be viewed by non medical
people. I suggest that you check your facts before you post any other responses
Andrina Hargreaves
Andrina, PSCC, Riyadh, 08 Dec 2002
Angio/stent is only palliative at best. In other
words, it just delays occluded arteries and subsequent heart attack. The
best way to treat heart disease, in combination with surgery or drugs,
is a low fat, cholesterol free regimen. Dr. Dean Ornish has proven that
heart disease can be reversible if you eat his diet. Check out www.pmri.org
"Prince Tofu", 1 Aug 2002
It will be two weeks Tuesday, 9th of July 2002
since I had my stent surgery. I have followed instructions carefully was
told to take it easy for a week no driving or lifting etc.I felt so great
I returned to my regular activity, all except the lifting. Then yesterday,
I started to have mild chest pain, & severe soreness, & feeling sick. Here
it is a holiday weekend & it is impossible to get hold of my cardiologist.
I was too weak yesterday to even fix myself a meal. I have stuck to my
low fat diet 1800 calorie I feel some better today, but still very sore
on my breast bone. I also have diverticulosis, am in pain from that too.
I am also diabetic, I dont have fever but have chills sometimes, am taking
my blood pressure med as I should, I had stopped smoking, but I started
back, smoked a few, and stopped again. When i have the chest discomfort,
my heart does not "jump around" or skip a beat like it did before the surgery,
does not occur when I walk, it is mostly soreness how long will I be sore
should I be worried? It kinda feels like I have a chest cold.
Georgia Wenk, Greenville Texas, USA, 7 Jul 2002
I had the angio in 1997, and so far so good there
has been no occlusion. I exercise regularly, take my medications religiously
and watch my diet (mainly vegetarian).
Roger Poh, 1 Jul 2002
Brian There is a small chance of occlusion after
angioplasty, and stenting reduces that risk. However, there is still a
small chance that the inside of the stent will "furr up". The common time
for this to happen is either around 24 hours after the procedure and then
within 3 months of the procedure. After this period you have a pretty good
chance of a nice open artery. There is no real way of knowing of this will
happen to you but the tablets (Plavix or maybe Ticlopidine) will help reduce
this risk so make sure you take them for the specified time. Look after
your diet and your blood pressure and this will also help. If you experience
any symptoms of chest discomfort you should see your cardiologist immediately.
I hope this helps
Andrina Hargreaves, Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
11 Mar 2002
What are the chances of occlusion reoccurring after angioplasty
with stent?
Brian, 4 Mar 2002
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