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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
RE-OCCURING CHEST PAIN
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests
RE-OCCURING CHEST PAIN
by Charlotte, Jan 26, 2000 12:00AM
My husband had a heart attack seven years ago. He complained of
chest pain at frequent intervals for five years. Two years ago
at my insistence, his cardiologist did a heart cath, which no
one thought was necessary, because he had just walked the four
levels of a stress test with no pain or sob. The cath showed
blockage requiring 5 bypasses. For about the first six months,
he did reasonably well. Since that time, he's started having
chest pain, sweaty, nausated, eleved blood pressure with these
episodes. He's had 6 cath's in the past 2 years. The most recent showed additional blockage with the lad artery being
blocked. His doctor had prescribed drug therapy. He takes medications for a hitial hernia, diabetis, in addition to his
heart medication. The doctors in our area tell us that there is
nothing else that can be done. My husband can still pass a
stress test with no symptoms, and has all these symptomes at
random times with physical activity having no effect on his chest pain. Does anyone have any advise or suggestions?
chest pain at frequent intervals for five years. Two years ago
at my insistence, his cardiologist did a heart cath, which no
one thought was necessary, because he had just walked the four
levels of a stress test with no pain or sob. The cath showed
blockage requiring 5 bypasses. For about the first six months,
he did reasonably well. Since that time, he's started having
chest pain, sweaty, nausated, eleved blood pressure with these
episodes. He's had 6 cath's in the past 2 years. The most recent showed additional blockage with the lad artery being
blocked. His doctor had prescribed drug therapy. He takes medications for a hitial hernia, diabetis, in addition to his
heart medication. The doctors in our area tell us that there is
nothing else that can be done. My husband can still pass a
stress test with no symptoms, and has all these symptomes at
random times with physical activity having no effect on his chest pain. Does anyone have any advise or suggestions?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB, Jan 26, 2000 12:00AM
It is not clear to me that his symptoms are related to his blockages in the coronary arteries. While his initial catheterization revealed significant blockages that led to the bypass surgery, these blockages may not have been causing his symptoms; the fact that he was symptom free for at most 6 months argues that the bypass did not really improve any symptoms. Assuming that all the bypass grafts were open during the last catheterization, he probably does not need repeat bypass. If his own arteries, such as the LAD, have progressive disease, angioplasty might help improve the blood flow (though not necessarily his symptoms). If he does in fact have real angina, and is not a candidate for angioplasty, laser treatments can be performed via catheters. To comment intelligently on whether anything needs to be done or can be done, a review of the angiograms would be necessary. I would probably start with a sophisticated stress test called a PET scan, and see if he does really have any areas of the heart that need more blood flow. If you would like a second opinion, feel free to call our 1-800-CCF-CARE number for an appointment with an interventional cardiologist.
I have tried posting at that time and the messages say quota filled for the day. Correct me if I am wrong but isn't 12:01 am
technically a new day? We should all have the same opportunity
to try and be that "ONE" lucky soul for the day? Our chances of getting struck by lightining are actually greater than getting to post a question and having it answered. This really sucks.
Thanks for letting me vent Phil! Make something happen soon. We are all getting desperate.
R is 45%
What life expectancy do I have.... i dont seem to be able to get replies on that... They cant do bypasses
Will the medication help in 'regeneration of vessels to replace this blocked artery"
i am on PEXID, LIPITOR, METROPOL, NORVASC, IMDUR, ASPIRIN,
I thought PEXID were supposed to do that but that is just something to do with maximsing the oxygen...
I was all hopeful it would be and a angiogram would be done to check on it .. but no just continue with the guessing game. and pop those tablets..
I got to the public hospital within 30 minutes of having the heart attack but I was aditted and then had two more within 39hrs - all during a time "the cardiologist doesnt like seeing patients in a public ward -you have to wait.."
could myproblem have been reversed..... had I not suffered 2 more heart attackes in hospital...
i am mad at myself because I smoked.. but I am bloody mad at someone who failed to give me proper treatment allb ecause they thought I was a public patient - they had be booked in as such -
until i told them them I was a private patient and blew mystack.
i was then put in a private room and ahd the cardiologist there next mornign - albeit over 48 hours after the initial heart attack...
On being transferred to a private hospital, a male in the share room advised me (and I heard his doctor talking to him) "we gave you the majic juice that will reverse the heart attack damage. you have to make sure if it happens again you tell them you have had the green one... it costs $2,000 a pop....