TY all for your replies and advice.
Your right...I am lucky I found out before having a heart attack.
Right now they are treating me with medication so I do not have one being I could not get the stent yet.
Funny how women do not have the same symptoms as I never once had chest pain but did have the jaw pain and lots of pain between my shoulder blades.
The nitro spray really helps....have had to use it the past 2 days but the doctor told me that is why he gave it to me and to use it when I feel the heaviness or any pressure in chest or the other symptoms I had. At first I was scared to use the spray but now I am feeling less stressed as it does work quickly. Only thing is it does give you a headache or it does me. Lucily it passes though after I lay down.
As for CAD, I guess my main question is until I have the blockage fixed .....would swimming be too much as far as exercise? My doctor told me only walking but no exercise that speeds up the heart rate too much and for me not to over do it. Yet I do not want to just sit all the time and not get exercise as I know that too is bad on the heart.
Does anyone know any herbal treatments or dietary advice for cleaning arteries so they do not develop more plaque? I always ate healthy and even added MORE red fruits and berries to my diet.
My caratoid arteries were actually clear thank goodness and the doctor feels my stroke was from a bleed in the brain or said possibly plaque that broke free or a clot. They really arent sure what caused it but at least it was a mini one. Now again my blood pressure was through the roof and I did not know as I used to have lower blood pressure up until this year. Guess my body reacted to the stress I was under at work and the CAD I had which at the time had no idea. I am grateful I am alive and now know what is wrong. I wish I did not have the bleeding disorder as for now I am not allowed aspirin products which I know most take for CAD. The hemotologist is looking into medications for my disorder and how to treat that plus help the cardiologists figure out what will be the best treatment for the Lupus plus CAD.
I have been out of work since March and they said they are not sure if I will be able to return to work due to the multiple health issues I have so I may have to apply for SSI according to my doctor. Right now I am on long term disabilty and my work said I can collect that until my retirement. Only bad thing is I will have to pay my health insurance after I am for more then 6months...so I guess I should look into health care through the state. I thought they would release me to go back after time but from what they said, being I can't have the stent yet, plus the stroke, CAD and lupus that I would have to be very stable to be able to be released and he was not sure if my body could handle the stress from my work. Have any of you been able to return to work after time with CAD or even a stroke.....just curious.
Thanks for the comments....as you can see I have so many questions and am nervous.
I really do not want to take anything for the anxiety as I take so much medication now since diagnosed. I am trying to mediate and will look into herbal teas.
Again....ty ty all!!
You certainly have had a lot to deal with in a short period of time. The TIA and heart disease may be inter-related since they can all be due to plaque build-up in your arteries (heart and carotid). Many people think heart disease only affects the heart, but it is actually a whole-body disease, so the same plaque can build up anywhere in your body, although t is designated as something else (such as Peripheral Artery Disease). I've had quite a lot of heart-related issues (see my profile), but have not had to deal with Lupus or a TIA or had a reaction to the dye, so can offer no first-hand advice in those areas.
When you question how this can all happen suddenly, you need to realize that it actually has likely been going on for quite a number of years without any symptoms, but when the symptoms finally showed up, the underlying issuse were found. Also, you need to be thankful that you found out about these problems before they produced serious problems, such as a heart-attack or debilitating stroke. So actually, this is good news in some respect! I'm sure your doctors have many options for treating the blockage, and are just evaluating your results to determine which will provide the best results for your particular circumstances. One thing that I've learned over my 15 years of dealing with CAD is that everyone is different, and treatments have to be designed specifically for each patient, and it takes time to find the best treatments.
Let me know if I can answer any specific CAD-related questions
hi kelly, this is remar. wow, are you going through alot right now! yes, it is very normal to feel anxious and depressed. i have'nt had any heart problems but my mother had a heart attack 9 years ago, she had to have bypass surgery. she was very scared. and i'm so happy to say that she's in the best of health now. i can understand why your drs. are doing what they're doing, with you having lupus and the bleeding problems. they're just taking precautions. have you asked your dr. about an antianxiety med to take until you get through this? it may help. i wish i could help you more. i am glad you found this site because there are alot of great people here. let us know how your doing and take care. remar