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Heart Questions for a 37 year old
My 37 son in law had a heart attack in January. His December 2001, yearly physical and stress test showed nothing. He had an emergency stent in main artery which was 100% occluded. After this we brought him to a heart center.
Needless to say, we are hungry for answers and are thankful I was able to get on this site. Our questions are not being adequatly answered by the docs he is now seeing.
1. They did a Cardiolye?/Dobutermine/Echo test 2 weeks ago. How accurate is this test in detecting a problem?
2. They put him on Plavix. How long should one be on this med and does this only come in one strength. Can one take Plavix and aspirin together since both are blood thinners without consequences?
3. We're told if scar tissue builds up from the January Stent, they call in an Oncologist and it is burned off?/removed, thus leaving the original stent in place. What are your thoughts on this?
4. We asked one of the cardiologist, how long one can have a stent without ever having it replaced and if one artery was stented does this mean all others will eventually get occluded. (other arteries are fine) The answer we got was, "I am a young cardiologist and do not have these figures"
5. There was some muscle damage from the January heart attack. Can a person live a fairly long life with some damage?
There is no history of heart disease in his family. 7 years ago, he had HSP (virus)and was on cortisone for a long time. Reading up on this, it list, MI as a possible consequence. Have you seen heart disease in some HSP patients? Thank You For Your Help, CC, Doctor.
Needless to say, we are hungry for answers and are thankful I was able to get on this site. Our questions are not being adequatly answered by the docs he is now seeing.
1. They did a Cardiolye?/Dobutermine/Echo test 2 weeks ago. How accurate is this test in detecting a problem?
2. They put him on Plavix. How long should one be on this med and does this only come in one strength. Can one take Plavix and aspirin together since both are blood thinners without consequences?
3. We're told if scar tissue builds up from the January Stent, they call in an Oncologist and it is burned off?/removed, thus leaving the original stent in place. What are your thoughts on this?
4. We asked one of the cardiologist, how long one can have a stent without ever having it replaced and if one artery was stented does this mean all others will eventually get occluded. (other arteries are fine) The answer we got was, "I am a young cardiologist and do not have these figures"
5. There was some muscle damage from the January heart attack. Can a person live a fairly long life with some damage?
There is no history of heart disease in his family. 7 years ago, he had HSP (virus)and was on cortisone for a long time. Reading up on this, it list, MI as a possible consequence. Have you seen heart disease in some HSP patients? Thank You For Your Help, CC, Doctor.
hello
I READ WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU GUYS i am 37 years old and had the same problem just recently about 30 days ago my doctor told me i need stent and I did so now i am on plavix and aspirin and toprol I would love to talk to you guys maybe we can share some information and learn from each other if you do read this please email me at ***@**** maybe if you wish give me your number and i call you i reallylike to find someone who is in my shoe and understand and share info and help each other i have many questions and maybe also i can answer some of your questions
thanks ali
I READ WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU GUYS i am 37 years old and had the same problem just recently about 30 days ago my doctor told me i need stent and I did so now i am on plavix and aspirin and toprol I would love to talk to you guys maybe we can share some information and learn from each other if you do read this please email me at ***@**** maybe if you wish give me your number and i call you i reallylike to find someone who is in my shoe and understand and share info and help each other i have many questions and maybe also i can answer some of your questions
thanks ali
Dear Lisa,
1. They did a Cardiolye?/Dobutermine/Echo test 2 weeks ago. How accurate is this test in detecting a problem?
A: Dobuatmine echocardiography is about 90% accurate in predicting residual stenosis.
2. They put him on Plavix. How long should one be on this med and does this only come in one strength. Can one take Plavix and aspirin together since both are blood thinners without consequences?
A: Yes, Plavix and aspirin can be taken together as they have different actions. His doctor can tell him how long to take it but usually it is 4-12 weeks after a stent and sometimes longer.
3. We're told if scar tissue builds up from the January Stent, they call in an Oncologist and it is burned off?/removed, thus leaving the original stent in place. What are your thoughts on this?
A: What they are talking about is brachytherapy or radiation therapy. This is one option for in-stent restenosis. We do this therapy in selected patients here but it is not for everyone and can have side-effects. This is a bridge that will have to be crossed if restenosis happens.
4. We asked one of the cardiologist, how long one can have a stent without ever having it replaced and if one artery was stented does this mean all others will eventually get occluded. (other arteries are fine) The answer we got was, "I am a young cardiologist and do not have these figures"
A: Stents do not ever get replaced although they can have restenosis occur. This happens in about 20% of cases. The likelyhood of blockages occuring in the other vessels will depend on what lifestyle changes he makes and the natural progresson of the disease. Once someone has one blockage it there is a very high risk of another blockage occuring. However, if he abstains from smoking, follows a low fat, low cholesterol diet, exercises and takes his medication he may never have any additional problems.
5. There was some muscle damage from the January heart attack. Can a person live a fairly long life with some damage?
A: Depending on the amount of damage it is possible to live a long, normal life keeping in mind important lifestyle changes.
1. They did a Cardiolye?/Dobutermine/Echo test 2 weeks ago. How accurate is this test in detecting a problem?
A: Dobuatmine echocardiography is about 90% accurate in predicting residual stenosis.
2. They put him on Plavix. How long should one be on this med and does this only come in one strength. Can one take Plavix and aspirin together since both are blood thinners without consequences?
A: Yes, Plavix and aspirin can be taken together as they have different actions. His doctor can tell him how long to take it but usually it is 4-12 weeks after a stent and sometimes longer.
3. We're told if scar tissue builds up from the January Stent, they call in an Oncologist and it is burned off?/removed, thus leaving the original stent in place. What are your thoughts on this?
A: What they are talking about is brachytherapy or radiation therapy. This is one option for in-stent restenosis. We do this therapy in selected patients here but it is not for everyone and can have side-effects. This is a bridge that will have to be crossed if restenosis happens.
4. We asked one of the cardiologist, how long one can have a stent without ever having it replaced and if one artery was stented does this mean all others will eventually get occluded. (other arteries are fine) The answer we got was, "I am a young cardiologist and do not have these figures"
A: Stents do not ever get replaced although they can have restenosis occur. This happens in about 20% of cases. The likelyhood of blockages occuring in the other vessels will depend on what lifestyle changes he makes and the natural progresson of the disease. Once someone has one blockage it there is a very high risk of another blockage occuring. However, if he abstains from smoking, follows a low fat, low cholesterol diet, exercises and takes his medication he may never have any additional problems.
5. There was some muscle damage from the January heart attack. Can a person live a fairly long life with some damage?
A: Depending on the amount of damage it is possible to live a long, normal life keeping in mind important lifestyle changes.
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