This is my first post. I had chest pains a few weeks ago but did not go to the ER because I had read if you think you might be having a heart attack to take an aspirin. I did that and the pains soon stopped. Also, there was snow on the ground and it was late at night and I can't see well to drive at night. When I related this to my daughter a couple of weeks later, she convinced me into getting it checked out. I had never had heart problems before, but I was overweight, smoker, and a good candidate for it.

My GP reluctantly scheduled a stress myoview for me. He didn't think I had heart problems. I had the stress myoview at the hospital and was told by the dr. that oversaw the test that there were no signs of CAD or any blockages. However, there was a sign of a past MI. That must have been from the former episode I had.

The very next day I had another episode the same as the first and went to the ER. I was told I was having a heart attack, that the main artery was completely blocked, and I had a stent put in then and there. Now I am told it resulted in CHF. I am told there are other partial blockages.

My curiosity is why the blockage didn't show up in the stress myoview if it were a main artery and completely blocked and other arteries are partially blocked. They certainly didn't become blocked overnight.

Any comments?

Just a couple thoughts.
The "stress myoview" is a pretty good test (technicium scan). It should have shown up more than it did.
Perhaps that second "complete blockage" was a newly formed clot that occurred spontaneouusly, literally "overnight." Maybe it was the first episode completing it's blockage. It's possible that the old "heart attack" occurred decades ago. My mom got the same diagnosis..."when did you have that heart attack?"...."WHAT heart attack?!"

Of course it's quite possible that the test was administered by an idiot and he missed a lot of key signs!

What do they have planned for your CHF treatment?

Just a couple thoughts.
The "stress myoview" is a pretty good test (technicium scan). It should have shown up more than it did.
Perhaps that second "complete blockage" was a newly formed clot that occurred spontaneouusly, literally "overnight." Maybe it was the first episode completing it's blockage. It's possible that the old "heart attack" occurred decades ago. My mom got the same diagnosis..."when did you have that heart attack?"...."WHAT heart attack?!"

Of course it's quite possible that the test was administered by an idiot and he missed a lot of key signs!

What do they have planned for your CHF treatment?

The only new meds are thinners and vasodilators. I was already on cholestrol and beta blockers. I failed to mention in my first post that I also have kidney disease. A drastic lifestyle and diet has been started also. My liquid intake, fat, protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus intakes are severely limited due to my advancing kidney problem. I work full-time and my husband and I eat out most of the time. I guess that is the biggest change. I haven't smoked since March 6 and I think I have that licked. I only need to be hit over the head once for me to become a believer.

actually it is perfectly possible for an artery to block not even overnight, in a matter of minutes in fact - it doesn't take long for a coronary thrombosis to form

what % were the partial blockages?

also with Myoview, a fixed defect may represent an old infarct or a very tight stenosis - the test doesn't tell you which

actually it is perfectly possible for an artery to block not even overnight, in a matter of minutes in fact - it doesn't take long for a coronary thrombosis to form...

Really?

crabby,

That second event, the rupturing of a plaque and attack by platelets and fibrinogen forming a clot in place, IS a classic heart attack.

The first gradual narrowing is arterial disease that is slowly progressive, causes angina on exertion, and can usually be angioplastied.

Fortunately the second gives time (sometimes decades) for the body to compensate with collateral circulation....thank God. It's the sudden clot that takes the heart by surprise that's usually the killer.
Current thinking is tending to separate the two scenarios more and more.

How's THIS for zip's new theory: "High Blood pressure MAY be the body's attempt to force new routes for blood flow- collateral circulation." Is it ready for the Nobel prize yet?:D:D:D