Bypass Surgery vs Stents

I had a quadruple bypass in 2004. I had a carotid surgery in 2008. Now I have taken the second stress test since then and the results they tell me are:  ABNORMAL: SMALL TO MODERATE SUBTLE REVERSABILITY. I have no idea what that means....but it doesn't sound good.

I have a follow up visit with my cardiologist on April 8th but I am a bit anxious about this whole thing. I have heard that bypass surgery only lasts 10 years. My father had the exact same surgery I had back when he was 54 also. Then he had to have it again when he was 63. He died at age 85.

I am 60. I am nervous. Will they need to cut me open again to re-do the bypass surgery or can they put in a stent?
Please just give me some ballpark answers so I'll know what to expect from my cardiologist or I'll know what to ask her.

[ed34]

First of all, don't be nervous. You are imagining the worse case scenario and getting anxious. The problem could be just a new small blockage, but you are imagining your bypass has failed. Angioplasty has come on leaps and bounds in the last seven years, so it's likely they will resolve the problem that way. You need an angiogram to see when the problem is and then they will consider the options. The final decision is yours, it's your body. Also remember that decisions are based on the personal experience and confidence of your Cardiologist. One hospital will say one thing, while another hospital will have a different opinion. This is mainly because some tasks are seen as too difficult by the Cardiologist expected to do the job, but not for others with much more experience. I would try to relax until they have the information required. Small to moderate doesn't sound like all your bypass conduits have closed up.