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medication
My husband had his first heart attack in November 2006 and took plavix for one year. At that time the doctor took him off plavix and then just four short months later he suffered another heart attack with much heart damage. We questioned this as he had placed two stents at the time of his first heart attack, but he said the new thinking was to stop the plavix after one year. He did no further testing or anything. My husband now has CHF and has been hospitalized several times since March 08 for things such as rapid heart beat (150), irregular heart beat for which he went through cardioversion and several times for pulmonary edema. He is now back on plavix - we have so many questions about this.
His EF was around 45% after the second heart attack and is now down to 30% with all the problems with CHF. He has had two heart caths since the second heart attack and all is clear. His LDL cholesterol is well controlled and he has been exercising. The EKG shows bundle branch damaage. Thanks for your input.
Is your husband's LDL cholesterol well controlled, and was he exercising regularly? Is he diabetic? Heart disease is caused by several factors.
I have had one stent after another (8) while taking Plavix. Now that my cholesterol levels are excellent there seems to be improvement. Keep in mind, Plavix and aspirin thin the blood, but doesn't control cholesterol levels. I'm about to be taken off Plavix, and yes, I'm a bit nervous about it. Hope your husband's condition improves, keep us informed.
I have had one stent after another (8) while taking Plavix. Now that my cholesterol levels are excellent there seems to be improvement. Keep in mind, Plavix and aspirin thin the blood, but doesn't control cholesterol levels. I'm about to be taken off Plavix, and yes, I'm a bit nervous about it. Hope your husband's condition improves, keep us informed.
Sorry to hear of your husband's problem.
The generally accepted protocol for a drug eluding stent is plavix for a year or more with aspirin. Aspirin should be continued indefinitely.
There appears to be some problems with some individuals regarding restenosis with the DES. What is the underlying cause for the CHF? I assume it was ischemia (lack of blood flow) to heart cells, and that could be new blockages or partial blockages at the time of first event and has increased the blockage, arrhythmia, etc. Or there could be restenosis of the stent implants.
The generally accepted protocol for a drug eluding stent is plavix for a year or more with aspirin. Aspirin should be continued indefinitely.
There appears to be some problems with some individuals regarding restenosis with the DES. What is the underlying cause for the CHF? I assume it was ischemia (lack of blood flow) to heart cells, and that could be new blockages or partial blockages at the time of first event and has increased the blockage, arrhythmia, etc. Or there could be restenosis of the stent implants.
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