living with 100% blockage right circumflex

[maxxem]

cath in July 2009 showed the blockage and some wonderful collaterals -- how do I live to protect them? What if any frequency of tests on them? I do Plavix and Imdur and lots of CoQ10 and Omega 3s and garlic; walk 45 mins 3-4 x week. Any other advice to keep living? am 67 male; good lipids but belly at 198 lbs at 5'8". Thank you for the sacrifice you made to learn and practice cardilology.

[ed34]

If all your main coronary arteries are blocked with the exception of a small % flow in one of them, then I would have to assume there are collaterals or you wouldn't be here. However, collaterals need pressure to open them and keep them open, so I wonder where this supply is coming from?

[pammie215]

my drs say I only have months to live. My arteries are blocked and only one working a small %.  Is it  possible that I have collateral vessels.  I am female 64  yrs old and openheart surgery 3-2003

[ed34]

You are one of the lucky ones to open collateral vessels, this doesn't happen with everyone. It is very likely that not all the collaterals have needed to open and there are still some in reserve. I have only heard of collaterals closing by the source becoming restricted. By this, I mean the collaterals have to be getting a good supply of blood from somewhere. I have collaterals for example crossing from the bottom of my Left Circumflex into my distal LAD. When my circumflex recently blocked, the collateral feeds closed up, making my heart attack much worse. Once stented, the collaterals re-opened and I did feel the improvements over a few weeks. So if the supply for the collaterals is blocked, then the collaterals will obviously close. You still have options open to you though, such as possible stenting or even bypass surgery. No intervention has been done up until now because nature has found a way around your problem. So, don't be over concerned, you have a long way to go yet.

[ChatterAlly]

The biggest challenge for me after getting into walking was my diet. Being a southern woman, my diet was a real killer.  Have you changed your diet in any way?