RE-OCCURING CHEST PAIN

[Charlotte]

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?

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

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.

[FRANKIE]

does mitrail/tricupid insufficiency get better or does it get worse? also, if a person has 2nd degree heart block does the heart go back to nomal heart beat? thank you please ans. the two question.

[Jerry]

A little over 10 weeks ago I had a single bypass via MIDCAP, also TMR. This was the Om circumfex region. To this day I have excruciating pain in my left rib cage every day. Do not have any pain where the 6 inch incision around the upper left side of my back is located. I was wondering if any one out there has had similar surgery and also the pain in the ribs for such a long time?

[samantha]

Since questions are limited to one per day at this time, what time of day constitutes a new day? It certainly isn't 12:01 am.
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.

[Wayne]

I have LAD major blockage  90-95-100%
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....

[cynthia temple email [e-mail]]

i have been diadinised with mitral valve proplapse. i have major hesrt flutters and can not seem to function anymore,  i am 52,  but to 3 weks ago i was at the gym 3 times a week. i am on toprol 2 times a day at 50 mg. each,  i have thes heart flutters and i go in panic and can;t breath and i f=get very scared.  i have been taking sleeping pills, breaking them in half 3 times a day.  it seems to help calm my anxeity,  this is the most terrible feeling i have ever experience,  i feel that i am going to die.  my doctor say he is going to run a test tuesday, an ultra sound on the valve to see whether is=t will have to be replaced.  i am very frightened,  any input could be so helpful to me.   thanks  cc

[cynthia temple email [e-mail]]

i have been diadinised with mitral valve proplapse. i have major hesrt flutters and can not seem to function anymore,  i am 52,  but to 3 weks ago i was at the gym 3 times a week. i am on toprol 2 times a day at 50 mg. each,  i have thes heart flutters and i go in panic and can;t breath and i f=get very scared.  i have been taking sleeping pills, breaking them in half 3 times a day.  it seems to help calm my anxeity,  this is the most terrible feeling i have ever experience,  i feel that i am going to die.  my doctor say he is going to run a test tuesday, an ultra sound on the valve to see whether is=t will have to be replaced.  i am very frightened,  any input could be so helpful to me.   thanks  cc

[Michael J.F.]

On 1/11/00 I underwent resectioning of my ascending aorta due to an aneurysm, 5.0 cm. I do not have high blood pressure or Marfans syndrome. There is no familm history of aneurysm's. I am 46 year old white male. Never smoked. Never used drugs. Cho-lesterol levels have always been low. 20 years ago I suffered a very bad ulcer. This was only clinically diagnosed and never treated with antibiotics. The ulcer healed on its own-but I think that the bacterial infection from my stomach is the cause of this aneurysm. The aneurysm was found because of cath. I could feel this aneurysm! Pain in my chest from the aneurysm amazed doctors. No other reason for this pain. Only 30% blockage to LAD. NO dissection occurred. I am aware of H pylori, Chla-mydia pneumoniae and gingivitis as causes of heart disease and possible aneurysm's. I now feel much better. It's like a piece of rotten festering infected meat was removed from my body. A 15 cm Dacron tube now replaces this part of my aorta. My doctors don't keep current. How do I get antibiotics to prevent recurrence of this disease process. I ran this all by my surgeon and he said that this bacterial connection was news to him. Do you know of any doctors in the Boston area that are treating patients like my self. I don't want this disease to spread  over the next couple of years. I need help now. Thank you.

[sandra kawashima]

64 yr old white female somewhat overweight. Severe frequent headaches radiating from back to front over right eye.  Slurred speech at times no memory loss, severe chest and arm pains which are relieved by 2 asprin.  MD has ordered ultra-sound of neck, what might this show and what would next step be for treatment?