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Quality of Life
I had a heart attack with 3 100% occluded arteries. One was stented the other 2 were unable to be stented. There was severe left ventricle damage (EF 20% after balloon pump). I am home now, on expensive medications and trying to get back to my normal life, but am having difficulty with breathing and am tired a lot. Bypass was not an option at the time, because of heart damage, and now not available because of no health insurance.
What can I expect in terms of quality of life with 2 blocked arteries? and What are my chances of having another heart attack?
I really need an honest answer, please.
Thank you,
What can I expect in terms of quality of life with 2 blocked arteries? and What are my chances of having another heart attack?
I really need an honest answer, please.
Thank you,
Well, you say that your RCA is 100% blocked and the LAD is 100% blocked. Now your don't say where the blockages are in those arteries, i.e. at the top, middle, bottom etc.
However there is a clue with saying you had a diagonal stented. Diagonals are vessels which run from the LAD to different areas of the left side of the heart. Some people have extra diagonals. You also say that there is severe tissue damage to the left side. The LAD also supplies the Septum, the wall inside the heart separating the two pumps. Now, if a Cardiologist stented one of your diagonals, then the 100% blockage in the LAD is likely below the half way point. I say this because whats the point in stenting a vessel if no blood is reaching it.
You mention no damage to the right ventricle, so you probably have the 100% blockage in the most common place, just before the acute margin. So, what does this mean about the right side? In most cases, blood seems to run through other vessels bypassing the blockage and gives 'adequate' flow. However, you will likely feel some angina symptoms such as shortness of breath. Your right side is probably the same as mine and Cardiologists don't seem bothered by it.
The left side is more problematic. You have severe tissue damage from a lack of oxygen. Some of this MAY recover but it is likely a large proportion will not. Over time this will heavily scar and affect the overal functionality of the pumping action on the left side. This differs with different people but it just means you wont be running the London marathon. The way you feel now will improve but will take time with the right medication. Your EF will probably increase which will make you feel more energetic, but discomforts will still present themselves on exertion.
With 100% blockages you are less likely to have a heart attack because the bulk material is so tightly compacted all the way around. However, I don't know if you have other smaller blockages lurking in there. Do you live in America?
I think all countries should be like the UK and I think personally Obama has made a great move in making health care a thing for everyone. In the UK we GLADLY pay contributions from our salaries to give EVERYONE the same opportunity of treatment.
My personal opinion is that you need to make a few life style changes. First and foremost, don't get stressed. Just remember your heart needs rest. Change your diet to more fruit/veg and avoid saturated and trans fats. If you manage that, I think you will be surprised at how long you will go on for. You are not alone, you need to remember that a large portion of the worlds population have heart problems and we are always here to help you if we can. Please keep us informed and let us know how you are doing.
However there is a clue with saying you had a diagonal stented. Diagonals are vessels which run from the LAD to different areas of the left side of the heart. Some people have extra diagonals. You also say that there is severe tissue damage to the left side. The LAD also supplies the Septum, the wall inside the heart separating the two pumps. Now, if a Cardiologist stented one of your diagonals, then the 100% blockage in the LAD is likely below the half way point. I say this because whats the point in stenting a vessel if no blood is reaching it.
You mention no damage to the right ventricle, so you probably have the 100% blockage in the most common place, just before the acute margin. So, what does this mean about the right side? In most cases, blood seems to run through other vessels bypassing the blockage and gives 'adequate' flow. However, you will likely feel some angina symptoms such as shortness of breath. Your right side is probably the same as mine and Cardiologists don't seem bothered by it.
The left side is more problematic. You have severe tissue damage from a lack of oxygen. Some of this MAY recover but it is likely a large proportion will not. Over time this will heavily scar and affect the overal functionality of the pumping action on the left side. This differs with different people but it just means you wont be running the London marathon. The way you feel now will improve but will take time with the right medication. Your EF will probably increase which will make you feel more energetic, but discomforts will still present themselves on exertion.
With 100% blockages you are less likely to have a heart attack because the bulk material is so tightly compacted all the way around. However, I don't know if you have other smaller blockages lurking in there. Do you live in America?
I think all countries should be like the UK and I think personally Obama has made a great move in making health care a thing for everyone. In the UK we GLADLY pay contributions from our salaries to give EVERYONE the same opportunity of treatment.
My personal opinion is that you need to make a few life style changes. First and foremost, don't get stressed. Just remember your heart needs rest. Change your diet to more fruit/veg and avoid saturated and trans fats. If you manage that, I think you will be surprised at how long you will go on for. You are not alone, you need to remember that a large portion of the worlds population have heart problems and we are always here to help you if we can. Please keep us informed and let us know how you are doing.
I can't comment on the chance of having another heart attack given that you may have developed some extra heart vessels to help with the heart muscle but I would say that you are at a higher risk given that the LAD is one of the major heart vessels that helps a good portion of your heart muscle.Also you have the RCA 100% blocked...you should feel tired and short of breath. I would NOT exert myself very much and avoid strenuous activity.Try to get your head straight with this, being anxious about the 'what ifs' is not helping reduce stress that impacts your heart; be sure you take your medications and have the doctor clearly explain to you what you should do if you develop chest pain. Were you given nitro to take? Hope this helps. Joan.
Hope I am doing this right.... and sorry I did not have all of the specific info, am new at this.
RCA 100%, LAD 100%, Diagonal was stented 10/22/09 emegency heart cath after Accute MI
RCA 100%, LAD 100%, Diagonal was stented 10/22/09 emegency heart cath after Accute MI
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