IS By-pass my only option

[pks100]

Within the last month (March 2009), my life has changed dramatically. I have lost my job and have also been diagonsed with CAD. My angiogram showed a LV Grade > 60% , Mitral Regurgitatin to be normal. The blockages were : ... [More]
30% RCA, 30% LCA, 100% IM , (Which the doctors say is on the LCX but the report shows on the IM, 80% on the LAD,  70% on the AV and 80% on the P1V.

At this the doctors have recommended by pass surgery, scheduled for early May.

I am very concern and scared of open heart surgery. Is open heart surgery my only choice?.

[Encephalomalcia]

Being that heart disease is running in your family at such as early age, tell your siblings to be tested to see how much inflammation is in their body.  The inflammation in the body can also mean inflammation in the arteries.  This inflammation makes a sticky spot where cholesterol sticks and builds.  No matter how low the cholesterol levels are on blood work, the person becomes plugged because of the inflammation.  A simple aspirin a day can reduce this inflammation.  The doctor is most likely recommending the bypass surgery because you are young and because you have many blockages.  Stents are more like band-aids in that they work, but usually in a lifetime they will become plugged up and need another procedure or bypass surgery.  Bypass is more of a fix and if sewed in correctly and healed well, can last a lifetime.  Make sure that you have the best heart surgeon.  Diet is real important,so make sure that you are watching the fats, so that these new bypasses do not plug up again.  The largest study ever that was done recently has shown that red meat causes heart disease and cancer.  Try to either eliminate or limit your red meat intake.  Eat mostly fresh organic vegetables and fruits and brown rice is good.  Mix honey with the brown rice and a little sugar and it takes great.  You can pour skim milk over it and eat it like cereal in the mornings.  Take care.  

[riccirowan]

hi chip
ricci here,out of nowhere i woke up on the 18th oct 2007 having a heart attack, 2 more during that day and a triple bypass 3 days later, this was a great shock as i was superfit teaching marial art classes & mind & body stress exercises. the recovery process depends on you more than anything else, i was prescribed 12 pills to take daily until i die which i chose not to take i am against the chemical regime. i do manufacture a nitric oxide booster supplement which is the only product plus 1 disprin cv100 that i take. my recovery has been awesome but it took lots of work from me and my massage therapist, along with lots of reiki to the chest area, 8 months later from my heart operating at 38% the cardiologist measured it at 93%, awesome without chemicals, for more info check out  www.noworx.co.za   www.nowworx.com mail me anytime for assistance, as i have great info for the recovery after the op.

[erijon]

Sorry to hear about your situation, I would feel the same way if I were in your shoes. Lutheran gave you some great advice and I agree, if they could have stented they would have when they did the cath, no cardiologist would opt for Bypass when a stent is possible, most likely means your blockages were in places that could not be stented.

Make sure you take your cardiac rehab seriously, at your age you have too much living to do! My Grandfather had a 4 way Bypass at 78 and lived to be 96 and My father had the same thing at 78 as well and is doing  great 7 years later. I'm sure you'll do great! My Dad was home in 2 days and back to his normal routine in a month, it's amazing how advanced these things are now.

Good luck!

Jon

[pks100]

Thanks for the support and encouragement. Well I have been to my cardiologist, cardiac surgeon and the doctor who performed the the catherization and they are all speaking about open heart surgery. I think the 100% LCX blockage plus the amount of blockage maybe the reason why I am not receiving stents.
I am 46 yrs old single male, non-smoker for life, average weight (184 lbs, 5' 10"), seldom drinks. The doctors are saying, I have an excellent chance for a full recovery, but you are right about me not being positive enough. I think it is the idea of having your sternum opened and the recovery process which is my biggest concern. I am trying to read some books on positive  thinking and keeping my faith in God .
By the way my brother who is 47 yrs old had a stent on his LAD last month after suffering a heart attack. We were all surprise .. and now my situation has everyone in the family in shock. My other family members are having  their ECG etc
Once again thanks a lot.
Chip

[Lutheran122]

I would certainly get a 2nd opinion at least if you haven't already. Those 70 and 80's could be stented depending on where they are but that 100 is an issue. I assume if they could have stented they already would have when they did the angiogram. Definitely get more opinions and if I am you I immediately go on an almost no fat , 0 cholesterol type diet. If you need to lose weight that will help , stop smoking immediately if you do , no alcohol either. This way when and if you do get the surgery you will already be on your way to a healthy state and it will undoubtedly help you have a smooth recovery. Good luck and don't be afraid. I may be in the same boat and the way I look at it is this. My cousins mom is 75 years old and she just had triple bypass and was out of the hospital in 6 days. Other then a little soreness she breathes better and feels a lot better then she has in years. Stay positive , it does nothing for you to sit around and be depressed.