Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Narrowing or spastic arteries. Is there a cure???

I was 38 y/o when problem started. Gave birth 8/30/07 w/ no complications aside fr. gestational diabetes. 6 wks later became hypertensive w/ persistent headache. MD gave Cozaar. On Nov 22 had chest pain, sent home fr. ER w/ GERD. Lab results OK. Continued chest pain, went to another hosp, EKG showed MI and troponin 8. Arteriogram showed narrowing of LAD to 20-30%. I have no risk factors. Cholesterol all good and other tests. Chest pain didn't go away w/ Nitro and versed. MD decided to put stent complicated w/ coronary artery spasm ended up putting balloon pump transferred to another hospital for emergency bypass but Cardiovascular Surgeon did not do it. Managed w/ medications and told me no definite diagnosis. Maybe Tako Tsubo or Printz Metal Angima. Have several medications but still has ongoing chest pain where I need to go back to hospital which wasn't relieved by nitro. Feb 2008, used nasal spray w/ oxymetazoline, told me it caused my spasm. Arteriogram of LAD showed still intact w/ stent w/ minimal concern of narrowing to 20% proximal  and distal part where stent was. April 2008, drank starbucks cappuchino that caused my spasm maybe? Went for second opinion in May 2008 w/ continued chest pain and jaw pain and arteriogram showed my LAD is narrowed to 80% and underwent  emergency CABG harvesting LIMA. Changed medications discontinuing Nitro,Plavix and statin. I lost so much blood fr. Plavix iI became anemic and needed to be transfused w/ 13 packs during and after surgery/ bypass. My left recurrent laryngeal nerve was paralyzed after the bypass where I choked on liquids and raspy voice which I was told was rare to happen too.  Went OK after 2 months, I got my voice back after I refuse surgery to inject my Left vocal cord .Recent arteriogram in July 2008 and everything looks good and patent including the LIMA . NO narrowing . Oct 2008, chest pain woke me up from sleep and went to ER w/ EKG and labs normal. Arteriogram showed LIMA is narrowed to 80% again and did angioplasty on my LAD where stent was. Current medications includes: cardizem CD, ramipril,metoprolol, nitro PRN, Ticlid, folic, poly-iron, aspirin, CQ10 . WHY IS THIS HAPPENING that I'm still young? WHAT IS THE REAL PROBLEM HERE! DOES ANYBODY HEARD OF THIS RARE CONDITION? PLEASE HELP!
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
976897 tn?1379167602
Sorry, forgot the address the narrowing. I spent years getting my cholesterol low and blood pressure normal. However, every year without fail, I required more stents and have 10 now, plus a failed triple bypass. I realised that stress is my problem, emotional stress, and have been working hard to combat this. Some of us are stressed without knowing because it has become part of every day life and feels normal. Now when I feel stress, I recognise it quick and take slow deep breaths and think good thoughts. This is the longest I have gone with no new blockages.
Helpful - 0
976897 tn?1379167602
I had spasms in my LAD after extensive stenting and angio procedures can make them worse or even cause them. The tickling of the catheter is believed to start them off with reasons unknown. I was asked to try Nitro but it did nothing whatsoever, except give me headaches with the sudden drop in blood pressure. My Doctor then prescribed me Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker. The muscles in arteries absorb calcium from the blood to work, through tiny channels. Calcium channel blockers reduce their ability. After 3 weeks I was slowly weened of the medication and the spasms have never returned. Calcium channel blockers can have some side effects, but I was glad to get rid of the spasms and luckily had no side effects.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yabong, any news?
My  wife was recently diagnosed with Tako Tsubo Syndrome.....but I have my doubts. It has recurred 3 times in the last 3 months....all episodes coinciding with her menstrual cycle, so I believe there is some correlation between the two. Also, she stopped taking Cardizem, (prescribed after the first heart stoppage), because she felt it caused her to be "air-starved". Her breathing is better now. Please post and let us know how you're doing and what is being done for you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
is there a cure for spastic arteriesOn Medication also I am 63 and have lost both husbands to cancer.I also have spastic arteries and still would like to stick around for awhile to be with my grandkids and beable to help others.Please advise.Thank you.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community

Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619 tn?1707018272
Salt Lake City, UT
11548417 tn?1506080564
Netherlands
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.