bypass surgery at 85.

Posted by Nancy on April 20, 1999 at 09:28:26
My father is 85years old, had a slight heart attack in 3/98. He has been on Toporal and Imdur,aspirin, and recently Lipitor.  He Complained of shortness of breath and pain in his left arm. Otherwise he is in excellent health for his age.  He recently underwent an angiogram where it was detected that he has 95% blockage in the artery  on the left side of his heart, extremely close to the main artery.  A single bypass has been suggested. Considering his age and general good health, I have concerns of him going through this procedure. Although we have been told if it is not corrected, he is at great risk for a massive heart attack.
                                                     thanks for your help.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD-APS on April 22, 1999 at 22:35:37
Dear Nancy,
Although the risks (for heart attack, stroke, and even death) for bypass surgery increase with age and with any comorbid conditions, as with anything else you have to weigh those risks against the risk of not doing the surgery.
The risks of not having bypass in your father sound awfully high, at least high enough that he should seriously consider the advise of his doctors.
My advice at best is if he decides to have the surgery done, have it performed at a hospital that is used to doing the higher risk operations, i.e. in your father's case, a hospital and surgeon that frequently does surgeries on octogenarians (those over 80.)
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!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please
call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at
www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your
cardiac problem.