I had a stent placed 30 months ago, due to 90% blocked LAD. Since then I've passed a stress echo and one with thallium injection, 7-8 minutes running each time. Thallium test was a routine one yr followup, the other 6 months out from the stent placement due to some recurrent angina.
I'm a 42 yr old female, 6 yrs type II diabetes, normal blood pressure, total chol 100-125, HDL 30-40, high triglycerides, blood sugar control ok not great, A1C about 7.1. Meds are lisinopril 10 mg., glucophage and insulin as needed, multivitamin, CoQ10,aspirin.
I've been symptom free 2 years until 2 weeks ago. Then I began having angina appear, in the morning, usually after I get the kids off to school, so after light activity, nothing heavy. It is relieved by nitroglycerin. Happens once or twice a day, almost always in the morning. Not every day, but almost all. Also have noticed feet and ankles swelling in the morning and late at night, with none midday.
In addition, I've had trouble sleeping flat in bed. If I lay flat, my chest feels uncomfortable, pressure and fast hearbeat feeling. I have to sleep propped up somewhat on pillows to get comfortable.
Passed another stress echo with flying colors. The cardiologist wants a heart cath within a week, plus is adding metropolol and Zocor.
2 questions - Is angiogram really necessary? Could angina be simply due to stress (busy family life, happy marriage, 3 kids but money stresses)? Part of me wants it to answer ??s, part says be conservative and wait.
And why a statin when total cholesterol is not too far above 100?