Angina upon exertion

Posted by Joe on April 26, 1999 at 12:37:35
Hi Doc:
As i told you on 04/14/99 that I had a caterization done and was found to have a 100% blockage on a vessel which was a branch of a branch and that I have an 80% blockage of a branch off one of the main vessels coming into the heart and that one of the main vessels is less than 50% blocked. I am on Atenelol 50 mg, Norvasc 5 mg twice a day and an aspirin once a day.  When I begin to walk at a quick pace after 10 minutes I begin to get chest pain.  First which of these vessels are giving me the angina and second can the collateral vessels eventually compensate and relieve this angina pain and will I be able to jog again.
Thanks for your assistance concerning this matter.
Joe

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on April 29, 1999 at 21:43:29
Dear Joe,
It could be one or more that are giving you the pain, and their is not any way or test that I know of which could tell you for sure which blockage is likely causing the pain; however, a thallium imaging test following the treadmill test might be able to tell which vessel being fixed would best benefit your health and heart.  
It is highly unlikely that collateral flow would relieve your angina at low workload, let alone the angina you experience with jogging.  There simply are no answers to your questions.
Ask your doctor if you can try medical therapy first (is this even an option) and if you get the angina on maximal medical therapy, then your only option will be intervention (PTCAngioplasty or bypass.)
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!