heart

[braveheart61]

i have a clogged artery 100% and one 50%  , the doc told me that he didn't want to try to open any, and that he wants me to depend on medication and diet and exercise. I was a smoker for years. I quitt and I put my self on cardiac diet plus execrise but slowly. anybody? has anything to say,,, please

[kenkeith]

I have assumed the doctor is relying on prior tests, any concomitant hearlth issues, health history, etc. The appropriate test would have been echocardiogram, and or a perfusion stress test.  The stress test will determine the degree of blood perfusion or lack there of, and what portion of your heart is vulnerable if any.

The echo cardiogram would have shown if there is or has been any heart cell damage and how well your is pumping oxygenated blood with each heartbeat.

I can't image a doctor recommending a course of therapy without having done some testing...it would be malpractice. I have been reading and answering medical posts for more than 7 years and there are many individuals with total blockage with sufficient collateral vessels to naturally bypass the occluded vessel.  I doubt very much there are necrotic heart cells as that would likely cause an ejection fraction (% of blood pumped with each heartbeat) to be less than normal and certainly your doctor must have that information before deciding on the best therapy....but if there is low EF,  that can be treated with medication and any intervention would be of no benefit.  As stated necrotic cells can't again be viable.

[maz1979]

change doctor!!!!! 100% blockage should not be ignored u should be at the very least given an angiogram

[ed34]

The only advice I can give is to get to a cardiologist if you ever feel any symptoms associated with heart problems such as angina. If you feel worse at any time, I wouldn't hang around. Having a 100% blockage and no required intervention must mean one of two things. Either the heart tissue is either necrotic meaning revascularization is a waste of time anyway, or you have opened collateral vessels to feed into the area of otherwise deprived muscle. It isn't just meds that you rely on, you have to make other lifestyle changes if you don't want new blockages or the 50% one to worsen. Lifestyle changes such as healthy diet and avoiding stress as much as possible, as recommended by the british heart  foundation. At rehab they even recommended some of the patients change their career to a less stressful one. What job is worth your life.

[kenkeith]

Seven years ago I was diagnosed with coronary artery occlusions.  One artery, RCA, was 98% blocked and stented.  The LAD was/is totally blocked (collateral vessels) and no intervention.  A 70% occluded circumflex no intervention.  I have been taking medication for the 7 years without any progression. and my exercise tolerance is increased with a nitrate 3 times a week.  

Likely your 100% occluded vessel has collateral vessels that supply blood to the area normally supplied by the blocked vessel (a natural bypass).  The 50% occlusion should not be of any serious problem, and guidelines by the medical community find it is unnecessary to stent or bypass any occlusions less than 70%...you shouldn't experience any significant medical problem.  In fact you shouldn't have any symptoms, but if you chest pain related to CAD, a nitrate can relieve the pain.  

The medication is an ACE inhibitor, beta blocker, and nitrate prior to going to the gym, and I have not had any problems. There is no progression or symptoms, and exercise tolerance is not an issue.

Thanks for sharing and if you have any further quesions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Take care.