Life is full of surprises

I have never really had raised cholesterol. I have taken a statin for over 10 years to keep my cholesterol as low as possible.  I exercise regularly ( swimming miles, table tennis, dancing etc.). I am thin. I have never smoked. 

My cardioversion for atrial flutter in November sent me on a path to speak to a cardiologist ( the first I have spoken with for about 7 years). My apical left ventricular hypertrophy previously being put down to exercise. I asked how do you know this? Result: investigations.

A echocardiogram showed the hypertrophy had got worse. A more detailed echo, as to the cause ( my 48 hours Blood Pressures were normal) confirmed the left ventricle was now affected in the septum as well. A CT scan was ordered, with an angiogram.

The CT scan confirms hypertrophic cardiomyopathy  non obstructive)- all my children and sibs now need screening ( 50/50 inheritance). My Dad had his first MI aged 48; in those days there were no investigations. My father's father died of an arrhythmia/MI.  As an incidental finding I have a 90% occlusion in the left anterior descending coronary artery. I am due to have an angiogram and stent in 5 days time ( well done the NHS!) 

I continue to swim miles and play competitive table tennis. A few circuits of the Viennese Waltz seems good for the rate response testing of my pace maker. 

The most amazing thing is that I have not had any angina. 

I count myself lucky that this asymptomatic 90% narrowing of my coronary artery has been discovered and is treatable. 

Cause: probably genetic. 

Moral behind the story:1. Life is full of surprises.

                                     2. Coronary artery disease can kill silently.

                                     3. Never be satisfied with a medical expert's opinion if it does not make  

                                         sense. I had left ventriculary hypertrophy from exercise ( I was told),

                                      though I doubt swiming 2 miles a week at speed was sufficient to really

                                       cause this. I should have been more assertive!

                                    4. Family history is very important: I expect given the fact that my Mother 

                                       also had a pacemaker and paroxysmal AF, as my children say to me,

                                     this time I can, "blame it on the parents"!

 

Selwyn

 

 

 

 

5 Comments

LAD Blockage also known as "The Widow Maker"

by zawodniak2 - 2017-06-02 16:28:39

Yep ,

I had a 90% blockage in the LAD found as a result of a  routine physical 15 years ago.  Had a stent put in.  No symptoms.  No telling what would have happened had I not been getting my yearly check ups????

                                                 Rodger

 

Guardian Angel on your shoulder

by Grateful Heart - 2017-06-02 21:13:37

The advances of modern medicine are amazing! 

We all see things in hindsight.  Good catch.....no, great catch!

Grateful Heart

wow

by Tracey_E - 2017-06-03 09:23:52

Glad you are ok!!! 

Coronary artery stenting

by Selwyn - 2017-06-08 07:24:39

Stented yesterday.  Thanks to NHS. (8 day wait after seeing consultant). It has been 1 month from having my CT angiogram, getting the results, getting referred to the PCI consultant, being seen, and having the procedure.  Not bad at all.

 Severe kink in anterior descending coronary artery removed with a stent. Took 1 hour from start to finish. Rest of day spent waiting for the catheter site to stop bleeding- pressure cuff on right wrist gradually deflated. Had lovely waiting room - wifi/computers, massage chairs, unlimited hot/cold drinks, lunch, and apples on the table to help self to. Magazines and newspapers. [Thank you to Liverpool NHS Heart and Chest Hospital]

Aspirin for 1 month. Clopidogrel for life. Can exercise as soon as. I am banned from driving by law, for 1 week. All meds. provided free of charge on discharge. 

Back to table tennis tomorrow.  Lucky I am left handed!

Off for a CT chest today ( repeat follow up re. lung prob.)

Thank you National Health Service.

 

 

Glad it went well Selwyn

by IAN MC - 2017-06-08 08:04:56

.....  and hope you are well enough to vote today !

Our good old NHS gets lots of criticisms re its underfunding but I have always been totally satisfied with the treatment I have received  !

I was interested to hear how you got on as I will need a stent eventually , my partially blocked right coronary artery is being successfully managed with daily nicorandil tablets but I guess this won't work for ever  ....  your procedure sounded very re-assuring

Best Wishes

Ian

 

 

 

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Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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