catherization results

[Sammie50]

I was having some chest pain upon exercise, results of cardiolite stress test showed mild abnormality at anterior septum area.  I had a heart catherization and the result was 30% blockage.  Cardiologist said my heart was fine.  

I have suffered from rapid heartbeats occasionally since my early 20’s, and this was diagnosed as panic attacks.  I have frequent PVC’s but have been told repeatedly that this is no cause for concern.  I am 50 year old female, bp of 150/94, height 5’8”, weight 195 am taking 40mg pravachol for high cholesterol, I quit smoking 6 years ago.  My parents died young of car accident, so I don’t have much family history for risk factor except that I know my father had a bypass in his leg at 45,  My older sister had unexpected triple bypass and left ventricular aneurism repair at age 52.  She had no typical warning symptoms and was ruling out heart problems because of rapid hearbeats during high anxiety when the heart disease was discovered resulting in emergency surgery.

My questions:  During angiogram cardiologist said I had 30% blockage & my heart was fine – will any measurements taken using the films or was what the doc reported during the procedure the only result available?  With this blockage does that mean I do not have CAD?  Can 30% blockage cause the chest pain I feel when I exercise?  Should I be taking blood pressure medicine?  Is there a hereditary factor for CAD with my father having a bypass in his leg?  Am I considered high risk factor for CAD?

Thanks for this great web site.  I can tell that the responses to questions are sincere

[Cleveland Clinic]

sammie,

You have a very significant family history for atherosclerosis. It should make you motivated to prevent further progression of the blockages that were seen on your catheterization.

1)  During angiogram cardiologist said I had 30% blockage & my heart was fine – will any measurements taken using the films or was what the doc reported during the procedure the only result available?

The reports give the visual interpretation of the angiograms by the cardiologist. Im not sure what other measurements you are interested in.

2) With this blockage does that mean I do not have CAD?

This blockage confirms the presence of coronary disease. It is not severe to what most would consider flow limiting (&)%A or greater).  

3) Can 30% blockage cause the chest pain I feel when I exercise?

Probably not in itself, unless there was error in interpreting the amount of blockages. However, some people can have spasm of the artery which could lead to symptoms.  Plus there are other causes of chest pain besides cardiac.  

4) Should I be taking blood pressure medicine?

If you have hypertension it should be treated.  The isolated measurment you gave is hypertensive, and would probably warrent.

5)  Is there a hereditary factor for CAD with my father having a bypass in his leg?

Yes.  It is a systemic disease. Most people with blockages in one artery have it in others.

6) Am I considered high risk factor for CAD?

You have coronary disease. The question is what is your risk of having complications. You need to adapt a lifestyle of exercise, and diet modification to lower these risk as much as posible.

good luck

[Dr. Erik]

You are probably at moderate risk for CAD. Yes I think you need to be on BP medication unless you can lower it through lifestyle modifications. Good luck!

Erik

[Gaspipe]

I don't know about the30% blockage but I'd bet good money anyone with sustained bp readings in the range you've given and not already on BP meds would be treated by most Docs and given your history probably without delay

[03591]

A related discussion, pain was started.