Terrified of husband's diagnosis

[irisheyes39]

My husband just had a diagnosis of 85% LAD blockage, known as the widowmaker.  I have been with my husband since I was 17 years old and cannot imagine life without him.  Can anyone give me insight to this area  and the possibility that stents won't help in the long run?  He had two, Xience drug stents.  I have been reading up on this and am scared to death. I think he may have had the bifurcated, meaning a junction stent, but not sure.  Does anyone know anything about this particular stent or the LAD blockage.  I am about to lose my mind with worry.  

Husband is 49, does not smoke, had no pain prior or symptoms.  Does have horrible family history.

[ed34]

You're welcome. Yes I had all kinds of symptoms with my blocked LAD. Any form of exertion brought about a nasty throat discomfort, like a tightening, bad lower jaw and teeth ache, shortness of breath. Chest pains didn't have time to occur because with all those warning signs I knew to stop and relax.
It looks like blood pressure is perfect now with your hubby, a great thing. Send him outside every day for his min of 30 mins walk :)

[irisheyes39]

Thank you so much Ed34!  Did you have symptoms with your LAD blockage?  

I agree and I work at a University so I have access to alot of medical journals, maybe I should not read them either?  I guess I am looking at the 17 that have problems, instead of the 83 that don't. It's all been such a shock.

We have made a pact on the eating and exercise and I am doing it with him.  We not going completely vegetarian but close.

His blood pressure was always good.  At the very last it was beginning to creep up but only to about 138/85.  Since the stent he is usually 115/72.  Strangely he has also stopped snoring, don't know if that is stent related or not.

I am so glad you have a good report and hope we can both be here to discuss this 40-50 years from now :-).  I hate that term "widowmaker,"  we need to find another nickname for it.  

[ed34]

There are a low percentage of people who do have problems with stents, but the far majority do not. I had my first stent in Feb 2007, nearly 4 years ago and I have grown a lovely new artery lining through the stent. There's no reason to believe it will give problems now. In Sept 2009 I had 5 of the longest stents put down my widowmaker and they are still doing great. I should have grown a new lining by now. There are always a lot more negatives than positives on the internet and any cardiologist will warn you to avoid much of the material.
Look at the plus side of the blockage being opened. You need to just concentrate on the future now, making lifestyle changes, such as controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, eating healthily, regular exercise and of course, avoid as much stress as possible. All those measures should greatly reduce the risk of further blockages forming.