Artery Blockage

[deacon5]

My father-in-law recently was told that all of his arteries are about 98% blocked.  He was told that he is not a candidate for a bypass procedure because of his age and, of course, the condition of his arteries.  They have installed a pacemaker and gave him some medication and sent him on his way.  He did not suffer a heart attack but went to the doctor because he was suffering some dizziness and felt like he was going to faint from time to time.  He is 79 years old and is very active including exercise nearly everyday at the gym. His cholesterol has always been high and he has been on blood pressure medication for years.  Is there anything that can be done and, if not, what is his prognosis?

Thanks so much

Deacon5

[Cleveland Clinic]

I suggest that you seek medical help from a referral center ( tertiary care facility) such as our own. We routinely operate on 85+ yo patients, and unless there are absolutely no targets/conduits, I think at our institution he would be a low to moderate risk surgical candidate given the fact that this is a first operation and that he is fairly active in the gym.  So what is inoperable at one hospital is routine or even low risk at a much larger and experienced facility. Call 216 444 2200 for an appointment at our facility if possible.

[ace24]

My FIL is 64 and has 2 arteries 100percent clogged and the 3rd was 90 percent clogged as of sunday. He suffered another severe heart attack 1st was 9 yrs ago, and was told that he was not going to make it past the night. Well miraculously he pulled through and Monday his dr did a stent and was able to unclog his 3rd artery by 30 percent only. Not much but we at least have him for a while longer. BY the way My FIL has been like this for 9 years and this is his 3rd stent in the past 9 months. He has emphysema, high blood pressure, not active because of emphysema but he has survived it all.