Blockage

[BeverlySue]

I don't know if I am in the right department.  My husband was just told, after a stress test, that he has a blockage in the back of the heart.  The doctor said they will use a dye and either he will have a stent or open heart surgery.  
  I did not go with him, so I have many questions.  
What should I expect to happen?  He is 64, just stopped smoking.  

Beverly

[BigBirdinAL]

SInce you were not at the appointment with your husband, you need to sit down with him and have an at length conversation regarding exactly what his Cardiologist discussed with him.
If your husband failed to ask the necessary questions, it would be wise for your husband to contact his physician with additional questions.  Please note that if your husband has not listed you as a contact on his medical records, cased on HIPPA regulations, he will have to be the one to ask the questions unless he adds you as a "contact" person and authorized his medical providers to discuss his care with you. If you are listed as a contact, you may want to contact the provider and express your concerns and seek out the answers you need.
As to what to expect---that will all depend on the level of blockage and where it it located at.  This is why it is important to have a clear understanding of the testing that was done and what was found.  Did the Cardiologist indicate to your husband if he thinks that this will be an EMERGENT situation? Meaning that if they go in and do a cath but are unable to reach the blockage with a stent, will they convert immediately to an Open Heart procedure or CABG? (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting)  Have you and your husband
seen a Thoracic surgeon or do you have on in mind to do the Surgery should it be necessary to convert to Open Heart? In MOST cases, the person who is doing the cath and can do stenting is not the same person who would do the Open Heart procedure.
If the cath reveals the need for stents and the interventional cardiologist can place the stents, often the patient can go home the same day or relatively soon after.  If the findings require surgical intervention, the patient can anticipate an initial stay in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, of at least 24 hours and sometimes several days.
After the CVICU, the patient is typically transferred to a "Step Down" unit for 3 or more days of additional monitoring. During these additional days, the patients activity level is increased, they are taught about diet and exercise and cardiac rehab and teaching takes place.
WIthout knowing exact details of the stress test findings and without knowing specifics as to  your husband's overall health and wellness, it would be impossible to give you a lot of information about what will happen and what you can expect.
The best resource for you is your husband and his health care provider. The health care provider may be willing to speak with you (with your husband's permission) over the phone or they may want to schedule an appointment for you and your husband to come in for an in depth discussion to look at all the alternatives.

[Darcy Green Conaway, MD]

I agree with the above, which is a great answer. Please write in again should you have further questions.