"Diseased" artery

       I had a coronary angiogram performed at the Mayo Clinic.  Before leaving the clinic and returning home (11,000 miles away), I was aware that the "proximal right coronary artery is 30% obstructed by a single discrete lesion."  When I received the clinic written records, my angiogram report further noted that "distal segment is normal size, diseased."  What is meant by "diseased" since the report seems to be distinguishing "diseased" from "obstruction."  The two clauses that I quoted  appear adjacent to each other on the report.  Are the "diseased" arteries a result of the obstruction ?  Or is it more likely that they have the same etiology?  

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

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Dear JoAnn,
"Diseased" vessel is used often when the artery is not totally clean, i.e. normal but at the same time it is not enough "disease" to give it a value of 30% or more.  Essentially you have mild coronary artery disease, the greatest disease being the 30% lesion.  We tend to only call "obstruction" when we can give it a value of 30% or more.  It is simply a terminology thing.  
You might want to call the physician who did or ordered the catheterization. Had you had any significant disease/obstructions, it more than likely would have been discussed with you at the time of the cath, in that significant disease/obstructions usually require some further testing if not treatment (angioplasty.)
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!