heart vs lungs

MY HUSBAND HAD AN 80% LAD BLOCKAGE AND A STENT PLACED 11-24-2008.  HE IS STILL HAVING CHEST PAINS.  THE PHYSICIAN DID A FOLLOW UP CATH, ECHO AND STRESS TEST.  EVERYTHING LOOKED OK.  WE WENT TO ANOTHER CARDIOLOGIST YESTERDAY WHO PRESCRIBED MY HUSBAND LISINOPRIL FOR BP.  WE TOLD THE PHYSISIAN THAT HE HAD BEEN TAKEN OFF OF THAT BECAUSE OF BOTTOMING HIS BP OUT.  MY QUESTION IS WHY STILL THE CHEST PAINS AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH?  MY HUSBAND WAS WORKING 12-14 HOURS A DAY AS A WELDER AND NOW HE STRUGGLES TO BREATHE AFTER WALKING UP STAIRS.  IT SEEMS AS IF NO ONE IS LISTENING OR WILLING TO HELP US.  HE WAS ALSO PUT ON AN INHALER FOR MILD ASTHMA.  THIS HAS RESOLVED.  COULD THIS BE LUNG INSTEAD OF HEART?  PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHERE WE NEED TO GO.  HE HAS NEVER BEEN SICK AND NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ARE BOTH VERY DISCOURAGED BY THE LACK OF INTEREST THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.  PLEASE ADVISE.


This discussion is related to Cardiac fibrosis?.

[kenkeith]

It could be a respiratory problem that causes shortness of breath and chest pains.  The treatment of a nitrate medication should eliminate chest pain if it is a heart issue (angina).  There could be restenosis stent implant site; another occluded vessel.

If the inhaler resolves the problem, that may be evidence of a respiratory problem.

Didn't the stress test indicate the degree of impairment related to shortness of breath?

[sheree331]

we are going to our3rd cardiologist today.  the first one has said that he did not know what was going on. the 2nd one gave him bp medicine that we have at home that bottoms out bp.  we told him this however he gave the rx anyway.  waste of time.  we can not stop until we get an answer.  he takes nitro just about every day.  he used to work 12 to 14 hours as a welder and now when he goes up and down the stairs he has shortness of breath and chest pains.  some one please help us.  advise me as to where to take him.  he is a 54 year old male that has never smoked or used alcohol.  sheree

[sheree331]

we went to our 3rd cardiologist today.  my husband is scheduled for another stress test next week.  he was given time released nitro to take daily.  this doctor thinks that he may be having spasms before the stent therefore not allowing enough blood to flow.  we hope that this will be resolved next week.  he has been out of work since november.  thanks for your e mail.  if this sounds reasonable please let me know.  e mail soon--sheree--

[kenkeith]

It appears you are doing everything that can be done.  One can buildup a tolerance for a nitrate and requires some time off the the medication...talk to the doctor.   Nitro is a fast acting med for angina and can be taken for immediate relief.

Sometimes variant angina is ideopathic (cause is known).  It can go away for a period of time, and may or may not be a problem.