Clogged Arteries Questions

[Jo-Anne]

My Dad, 68 years old, has an angiogram a few weeks ago and was identified to have some major blockages in his arteries (45-90% in 7 places). His heart is very healthy though. The doctor administering the angiogram was definate that he'd need bypass surgery. Well Dad saw the Cardiologist yesterday, and he said that Bypass surgery will not extend his life....I guess due to the number of places that are blocked, surgery, he felt might not be very successful. He suggested changing my Dads meds and putting him into a study that would help with the build up etc.

Does anyone have experience with clogged arteries and bypass surgery versus not. My Dad was elated to not have to have surgery, but I struggle with what is ahead of him. My Mom has heard wonderful things about chelation therapy..don't know what that is either. Can anyone help calm my fears....I want my Dad around for a very long time.

 

[Mskanga]

Jo-Anne, my father in law has had this problem ever since I can remember, several times they had to put stints in several parts of his arteries but eventually the arteries surrounding the heart were getting blocked. He had three bypasses done , two of them within the same year , one double , one triple. It extended his life but not for long because on top of everything he could not take blood thinners and he was also hard headed and always knew it all and all the doctors were wrong ( those were his words ). His heart eventually gave up along with not wishing to live anymore due to MIL's passing four months before. Every case is different though, you can't go by what happened to my FIL. The best thing I can advise you , is talk with the doctor and ask him to explain the options to you, that helps a lot. {{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}

 

[Margie J]

My Mom had bypass surgery back in 1986 and angioplasty last year. Her old bypass grafts, BTW, were clear.

She is on several types of meds to help prevent clotting, adjust her heart beat and help to open the arteries.

As for whether surgery could extend your Dad's life, maybe but the Doctors would know the best given his condition. Where the blockages are may be a major consideration. In my Mom's case it did save and clearly has extended her life. Each case is different though.

When my Mom had her bypass surgery the team mapped out where her blockages were and where the grafts would be placed. During the angioplasty procedure the Doctor also kept me informed about what he could and couldn't unblock and why.

Your Dad may want to seek another opinion &/or have a Cardiologist fully explain his condition. A map of where the blockages are is wonderful if they'd do that for you.

 

[TheLionKing]

The data that your cardiologist is referring to is related to the function of his heart.

People with triple vessel disease and poorly functioning hearts have been shown to live longer with bypass surgery. People who have triple vessel disease without a "left main" equivalent and good heart function do not live longer.

If he has diabetes, that may favor surgery despite the good heart function.

While the surgery may not extend his life, one can do bypass surgery for symptoms which can be improved. If he has a lot of angina, the bypass surgery can help with that.

You have two choices. You can arrange an appointment with the current cardiologist and explain his/her thought process for the treatment to stabilize his anatomy or ask for the films to get a second opinion from another cardioogist.

Realize that it is sometimes much easier fro a cardiologist to just take the "easy way out" and send patients to surgery. The fact that the cardiologist is not, may mean that although what you describe on the surface sounds bad, it may not be.

But if you have questions, it is yor right to get them answered by the doctor. If you are not satisfied with the answers, then get a second opinion.

Medical issues are rarely all black or all white. There are many shades of grey.