coronary heart disease

[Helen130]

My husband has coronary heart disease and will not take his medications. What will happen?

[erijon]

It depends on many factors, what is the nature of his CAD, what are his risk factors (smoker, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, family history), age and what meds he has been prescribed and is refusing to take.

Obviously, his doctors feel he will benefit from the meds and may indeed need them to have a good outcome. If you can provide more info you will get a more informed answer. Let us know the details and we'll help you out.

Jon

[kenkeith]

Jon is correct as there should be more information, but coronary artery disease (CAD) means there is plague buildup within the vessel, and this restricts a good supply of blood to the heart cells.  The diminished blood flow can injure the heart cells impairing heart wall movement, the heart will enlarge in an attempt to compensate, and untreated will cause the heart to eventually fail.

Medication will/should dilate the vessels enabling the heart to supply an adequate supply of blood to the heart, the heart's workload is reduced by the less resistance of unconstricted vessels.  Control risk factors where possible as stated, etc.

[majella3]

having echo and tues would echo show up artery problems or just valves

[ed34]

Artery problems will only show up if they are affecting the function of the chambers, which isn't always the case in early stages of Angina. However, an echo does give valuable information regarding damage to the heart and valve function as well as how much blood is ejected with each heartbeat.

[majella3]

thanks ed
doc says i got murmur and blood pressure high................however i get pain in left hand side of left breast but in chest not breast ...feel like cold sweat and weak when happens

[majella3]

just got prescribed Coversyl 5mg......anybody else been on these

[majella3]

Doc just rang says i have slight enlargement of heart but reckon this is due to high blood pressure and just to take the meds.......will heart return to normal or worsen

[ed34]

With the blood pressure controlled in the chambers it should return to its original size.

[majella3]

thanks....doc just rang i didnt think of asking anything and not due to see her for another two weeks

[majella3]

just been told i have left ventricle hypertrophy....what does this mean..on coversyl5mg this past month...........have pain in left side of left breast but doc says thats not related also have fibrocystic breast

[cath911]

this means your left ventricle is enlarged, and the wall thickness will usually be increased. This is probably the result of high blood pressure and if not too bad should return to normal once your pressure is reduced. This condition can also be the result of extreme fitness, such as in athletes. In some athletes, the left ventricle can increase by as much as 60% in mass. Pregnant women also are expected to see an increase in the size of the left ventricle. Did your cardiologist state the wall thickness and the percentage increase in mass of the left ventricle?

[majella3]

Hi cath
No wasn't told percentage etc. just that i had slight enlargement of left ventricle....on coversyl one month now how long does it take for blood pressure to come down.....also any suggestions of sites relating to diet for hypertension