Re: coronary heart disease PLEASE HELP!

Robert Coe wrote:

On 10 Apr 2006 13:29:57 -0700, "Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD"
<andrew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
: msmollymac@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
: > My father went to the doctor 4 days ago because he had been having
: > chest pains. The doctor sent him immediately over to the hospital to
: > have testing done on his heart. They went in today to do a balloon
: > angioplasty but after inserting the catheter the doctor decided my
: > father could not have the stints put in nor was he a candidate for
: > heart surgery. I'm so confused because they are planning to put him on
: > medication-- it just seems like something more could be done & now I
: > feel as if he's just waiting to have a heart attack.
:
: My guess is that what your father was scheduled to have was a
: diagnostic heart catheterization with coronary angiography and the
: invasive cardiologist did not find any blockages that warrant an
: intervention such as a stent or bypass surgery. This is actually good
: news.
:
: > I'd like to talk to someone who is more educated on coronary heart
: > disease or maybe someone who has had experience with heart disease in
: > the past. Any information would be appreciated.

I'm not a physician, but I've been in your father's situation, and Andrew's
analysis sounds right to me. In my case they decided that angioplasty and
stents were geometrically impossible, so I had to have bypass surgery. I was
just short of 59, for all practical purposes the same age as your dad. 60
isn't considered particularly old for bypass surgery, so the fact that they
didn't recommend it suggests that your dad isn't all that bad off.

: You are welcome to post your questions here. Would be more than glad
: to answer them for you as an invasive cardiologist.
:
: > Some things you might ought to know are that my father is 60 years
: > old... his father died of a heart attack at 53. He has smoked for over
: > 40years and drinks heavly. However, he is not overweight and very
: > active for his age. Also his diet could be better.
: > I'm worried sick over this and have no clue who to ask about the
: > disease and what other options he has.

You and your dad should understand that he has dodged a bullet but that others
will follow. He should use the opportunity to make the necessary lifestyle
changes, particularly quitting smoking and cutting down on drinking. (Liquor,
in addition to its other effects in large quantities, is very high in
calories.) My dad died of a heart attack at 54, but diagnostic methods were
crude then, and modern heart surgery was unknown. I'm still alive at 68, but
only because of a generation's improvement in technology.

: You should be able to ask your father's cardiologist about his
: condition. Short of that, general questions about coronary disease are
: answerable either by me or some of the other participants here in SMC.
:
: > I'd really like to know if the
: > chances of him dying soon are high or not but the doctors and my mother
: > seem to want to keep me in the dark.
:
: There is not much that can be done about that.
:
: > Please help if you can offer any
: > information or advice. It will be greatly appreciated.
:
: Would suggest you accompany your father when he next visits his
: cardiologist.

Good advice.

All praises belong to the LORD, Whom I love with all my being.

Many thanks to HIM for your kind thoughts.

Will be available to "glow" and chat about this and other things like
cardiology, diabetes, Bird Flu, the Lamb's opening of the 6th seal (Rev.
6:12), cooking and nutrition that interest those following this thread
here during the next on-line chat (04/13/06***) from 5 to 6 pm EST, LORD
willing:

http://tinyurl.com/8w7uq

*** The Passover Moon might be fully blood red this year now that the
Lamb has possibly opened the 6th seal.

For those who are put off by the signature, my advance apologies for how
the LORD has reshaped me:

http://tinyurl.com/7mcuo

Prayerfully in Christ's love,

Andrew
http://tinyurl.com/gbj6w


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: coronary heart disease PLEASE HELP!
    ... :> My father went to the doctor 4 days ago because he had been having ... The doctor sent him immediately over to the hospital to ... :> have testing done on his heart. ... so I had to have bypass surgery. ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • coronary heart disease PLEASE HELP!
    ... My father went to the doctor 4 days ago because he had been having ... have testing done on his heart. ... disease or maybe someone who has had experience with heart disease in ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: OT - Mad Men
    ... I think that's far too young to be dying of a heart attack. ... I think of my father requiring 5 bypasses it scares the bjesus out of me as ... minor that my doctor didn't prescribe any meds for me or anything). ...
    (rec.arts.tv.soaps.cbs)
  • Re: coronary heart disease PLEASE HELP!
    ... The doctor sent him immediately over to the hospital to ... have testing done on his heart. ... disease or maybe someone who has had experience with heart disease in ... cardiology, diabetes, Bird Flu, the Lamb's opening of the 6th seal ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)
  • Re: My father has atherosclerosis...seeking advice
    ... > My father is 82 years old. ... > the cardiologist used a heart catheter to see what was going on and was ... What the doctor wants to do is give my ... > he cannot use beta-blockers until his heart rate is increased. ...
    (sci.med.cardiology)