lad blockage

[mom635]

47 year old daughter had been diagnosed with blockage in the lad area.  Is Catherization recommended with possible stent?

[kenkeith]

My medication is an ACE inhibitor to control systemic blood pressure, beta blocker (coreg) for heart rate stability and blood pressure, lipid med for cholesterol, and nitrate prior to going to the gym to workout, and aspirin (87mg).

It seems I have better exercise tolerance.  I have had several echocardiograms (watching my MVR) and left ventricle size, stress test, ct scan and blood tests.  

[oldie]

I have to ask you again - it's a boost for me.  
you have been six yearswith two seriousblockages. You say 'medication is the treatment' Also, 'Tests indicate there has been no progression and possibly some reversal'. I will shortly travel from Guatemala to see a brilliant cardio in UK at costs I can barely meet and two answers from you would be gold : What tests were used to check progress? What are your main meds?

I had a dubotmine stress test SIX MONTHS ago positive for weakness in three places in heart walls 'suggesting'  disease 'probably' trivascular' I elected the medication-exercise route, no angiogram,  and am in better shape, steady to hard exercsie, no pain

[kenkeith]

Therapy for blockage only treats symptoms and that includes medication, stent implant or bypass.  The problem exists as heart cells may not be getting enough oxygenated blood due to blocked or partially blocked coronary vessels and there are symptoms usually angina (chest pain) and therapy opens the vessels for more blood to pass...therapy is almost always just symptom oriented as there is no available cure for coronary artery disease.  

There is general agreement among the medical community, if symptoms can be controlled with medication (dilates vessels) that would be the preferable choice.  If there is no symptom relief with medication,  then a stent(s) implant barring any difficulties with that procedure and lastly CABG.

I have a totally blocked LAD and a 72% circumflex blockage for more than 6 years and medication is the treatment.  Tests indicate there is has been no progression and possibly some reversal based on my tolerance for exercise.

If there is a cath procedure be prepared to have your daughter accept a stent because that usually is the outcome.

[ed34]

Different cardiologists have different opinions, but they will discuss your case with other colleagues including surgeons to decide the best option for benefits, and the lower risk.
There are many factors to consider by the experts. For example, the length of the blockage, whether it's on a curve, whether the rest of the vessel is coated with plaque, whether there are several small blockages likely to cause problems in the near future.
So really your question is very difficult to form an opinion on because there is no real information about location, size, condition etc. It also depends on the level of symptoms as to whether ANY intervention will be recommended. If a blockage is 70% or higher, this is seen as dangerous and will usually be treated. Anything less is usually aggressively attacked with medication which lowers symptoms but will not remove the blockage. Life style changes can ensure the blockage doesn't get any worse.