LAD is widow maker

[100LAD]

My Doctor described LAD as the widow maker. Is it that serious. I have 100% blockage in LAD.
My blood results came out today and Cholest is down to 150 from 220 three weeks ago after taking lipitor.

[ed34]

how long ago did they detect the 100% in the LAD?
If it was some time ago, and these symptoms are new, then you would strongly suspect a new blockage. Perhaps the right thing would be an Angiogram to get new information.

[dorrsteff]

69 YO male, smoker, with 100% blockage in windowmaker who grew collateral vessels during life of active hard work, no angina,  enlarged heart, no swollen ankles, is steadily "losing  power" over the past 1-1/2 years, now can work for only 10 or 15 minutes before having to rest.
Absense of angina  is confusing. Should he have tests for bypass or what. .  his doc who asks him what to do.  Is this LAD... or semething else?

[100LAD]

I asked for arterials scan because I did have severe symptoms during Nov 09. After which they receded significantly. The scan showed 100% LAD block near th top, 90 % blocked at small branch near lower end of RCA. and 70% blockage on a branch just above the blocked LAD. slight chest pain on exertion or when walking against slopy roads.

[ed34]

My LAD was totally blocked at the top and fed by collateral vessels near the bottom. However, my collaterals were not sufficient to supply the right level of oxygen to my heart tissue, hence angina on slight exertion. If my collaterals were adequate, then I probably would have refused any stenting etc.
I have to ask though, why did they scan your arteries if your symptoms are not really bad?

[kenkeith]

I don't what you mean the right experience?  Seven years ago I had silent heart attack and my first symptom was congested heart failure.  I was in ICU for several days had a stent implanted in the RCA.  ICX was/is 72% blocked (not stented) and the mid LAD was/is blocked mid portion.  If there are collateral vessels, obviously it may provide sufficient blood flow or it may not, it may or may not last a life, you may or may not need surgery. Your system has compensated well, some people aren't as fortunate.  

You may search the archives and I have provided a link that gets into the subject.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Disease/Angiogenesis-a-bypass/show/1066312?

[100LAD]

Well, If I developed natural bypasses. Which seems to be the case since I do not have severe symbtoms now. Can some one continue living with this situation i.e blocked LAD and if yes, for how long. Or, sooner or later I need a surgery.

I hope some one have the answer whether a doctor or some one who went through similar situations with the right experience and answer. I am totaly confused.

[kenkeith]

If the LAD is involved in an acute heart attack from clots, etc. the outcome is usually a widow maker and the outcome can also depend on the location of the occlusion such as the distal portion.  Often when there is 100% blockage the occlusion occurred over a period of time, and the system may have compensate by developing collateral vessels that provide a natural bypass, but there is some evidence an acute heart attack can have collaterals that will open as well..