Does this sound right????

[Rich510]

This post is about myself but need to start with a brief history on my younger brother. I'll try to be brief.....

My brother is 41 and a year younger than I. About 6 weeks ago after having some chest pain and generally not feeling  well his doc ordered some blood work. Blood work indicated a possible heart issues so they did a stress test. He had a heart attack on the tread mill. Heart attack was "aborted" before any real damage could be done to his heart due to persons performing test being quick with nitro.

Angiogram next day showed 2 arteries completely clogged and the other two very nearly so. He was a time bomb.  A few days later he had a quadruple bypass.  He's okay, heart is strong and arties where good where they bypassed. He's even managing to get his cholesterol down into the range they want to see without meds. He's been a very good boy!

Neither he or I are overweight, we both smoke (he quit, I'm trying) and have zero health problems before this. He for all intents and purposes seemed the picture of health (not counting the smoking of course). Very active, hiking, bike riding etc.. I'm not quite as fit but healthy and strong. I could maybe lose 10 pounds tops.

So onto me.....

My brothers doc suggested I get in for screening. I've started that process with my doc. I haven't got my blood work result yet, BUT my doc says if my cholesterol is not really low - as in way way below average, they will put me on cholesterol meds for the remainder of my life due to my brothers condition.

He claims a stress test for me won't give any indication and that a angiogram is out of the question???

I can't believe they can't do some sort of real testing and would just put me on meds just incase???  


Thank greatly for any input.

Rich

[Rich510]

Thanks for the input. I don't know exactly how a stress test works but from what the doc says it won't tell anything unless I'm having symptoms.

Erijon, Good to know meds haven't caused any issues. I guess I'm just concerned they would put me on anything without trying to control by diet first. (assuming my cholesterol isn't low enough already - which I know it won't be) It's a red flag.

I'll google nuclear perfusion. Never heard of it. I just don't like that they take a risk that my arteries aren't similar to my brothers.  Put me on meds that I may not need and cross their fingers.

[erijon]

I agree, I would think that if they were worried about blockages they would do a Nuclear Perfusion Stress test which woud show any areas of possible b loackages. I also agree that a cath would not be warrented, tyhere is too much risk, although minimal, to have a cath with no symptoms. I would push for the stress test.

As far as going on meds, probably not a bad idea since you now have a family history of early onset CAD, along with smoking you have the two largest risk factors. I've been on Vytorin for a couple of years and it has done a great job for me, no issues.

[Husbandndshlp]

Get another Dr.  While your brother had symptoms and you do not, you are at a good age for a stress test anyway. Especially with family histrory.  Don't think though because your bropther had a heart attack, you will.  It doesn't work like that but be pro active.  The cholesterol meds is a great start.