Had my first angiogram yesterday, 8 months after starting with angina. (UK)The blockages were so clear that I could easily spot them for myself as it went along!

I didn't need any sedation - felt very relaxed. NO discomfort through it all, done via groin. Was even allowed to leave my protective sleeve on my bad arm and we found a way I could keep my arms out of the way comfortably. The doc was very experienced and all the staff were wonderful. I was able to see my heart beating on screen and the arteries as they filled with dye. It was really exciting and one of the most awesome things I have seen! I'm sure the novelty wears off if you have a few though! Then I had to lie still, propped up at 40' for just over 2 hours - that was hard due to my usual neck problems but then walked about the ward for an hour - and home to rest.

The doc showed me again in slow motion pictures afterwards and explained further. RCA 95%, Circumflex 90%, LAD several lesser blockages. Not good. :eek: Glad I didn't have to wait any longer on that waiting list.

Next stage - now I wait while the doc informs my own cardiologist and they decide whether it is worth trying angioplasty and a few stents to see if we can avoid a bypass in the first instance. That seems to be what he would advise. Then I will get called in fairly soon from the sound of it. My appointment with my own cardiologist is originally scheduled for middle May but this doc commented that I should be in for the treatment before then.

So Lenin: You predicted 90% blockage in RCA - what a genius! XXXXXXXXXXXX
Ninelives: You predicted blockage ((((((hugs))))))
I always find it helpful to be mentally prepared for unpleasant results. Thank you both of you, and thanks also for your best wishes. :)

Now I'm on best behaviour until I get "done", no rushing about.
Annie

I'm glad you got some answers and very happy and a bit surprised that it was that pleasant of an experience. If you had been in the states and the doctor decided to stent you it probably would have been done while you still had the plug in your groin. It sounds like they will be getting you fixed up soon and I hope they are able to avoid the bypass surgery. I've had both stent and bypass and whichever is chosen you will get through it. It just takes a lot longer to recover from the bypass.

Hi Annie,

So pleased you were ok with it all. Hope your cardiology visit works out well. I have had a triple bypass so if I can be of help let me know. I too am in the UK, so I know what you mean by waiting and so on.

Keep well.

goldenwings :angel:

happybunny,

I agree with you, the test is TOTALLY FASCINATING to watch. I am SO sorry that they didn't open and stent the RCA and the Circumflex while they were already snaked into your chest. I was SO glad to have EVERYTHING done in under an hour. I guess there is an advantage to having a top notch (perhaps best in NYC) cardiologist doing the angiogram, probably with a pocketful of stents at the ready.

DO NOT forget your daily aspirin and forget the kiddie dosage, take one or two 325 mg. size.

PUSH for the stenting if the choice is ANYWHERE near 50-50. When they roll one in with a heart attack, he really has very little choice, but YOU STILL DO!

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Hi Annie, I sure wish I had my Heart Cath/Stents in the UK. I wanted to be awake and see things and be able to make decisions but I had mine done at a Teaching Hospital in Texas and I could write a novel at what I went through and also having a student in training learning to put a stent in your heart.

I did not like that one bit. I asked to see my films and I was told they do not allow this but I could have a piece of paper with a drawing on it showing the arteries where the stents went. I so dislike Teaching Hospitals
as they use patients as guinia pigs while you are out like a light so they can train these guys. :nono: and I asked them not to use anyone but the doctor I chose. No such luck.

Good Luck to you, Annie.

Can I ask you what your Angina pains feel like? Do they come with exercise and are they severe and do they respond to Nitro right away? Mine have never left even with 3 stents. Not sure if mine are Microvascular
as they are severe and not exercised induced. Doctors are scratching their bald lil heads with me. :eek:

Hi Goldenwings,
Thanks for the offer of info - I may take you up on that when I find out what they are going to do definitely.

Hi Macymaid

Sorry to hear that you still get the pains. I hope it sorts out for you soon.

In the UK you can say that you don't want students present if you feel strongly. But you have to take pot luck with the doctor usually. More choice is being brought in and of course if one pays to go privately then you can choose. My angiogram was done by another consultant as the waiting lists were so long that they were having to share the load. He was excellent though so I was quite happy.

I get my angina pains a few times a week, typically when I am walking, especially if I forget and stride out, or if there is a hill. Also the very cold weather can set me off quickly, or if I go up the stairs straight after a meal. Also last week I was naughty and tried a brief jog on the field :bouncing: - I lasted approx 20 seconds before it came on. Also lower level tight discomfort in the same place if I am doing bits of housework. Strangely, I have experienced exactly the same pain with some of my hot flushes (came off hrt a year ago). That is the only time I get it "at rest". I get short of breath more and more now even with just slowish walking.

The angina comes on gradually, like an elephant's paw pressing painfully on the centre of my chest - more and more. Or like my dog was sitting on my chest! It's not sharp or anything - just a relentless sqeeze. It's in a fist sized area, that just fans very slightly out sideways and also up my left neck. Then it gets to be harder work getting the air in. I usually have to stop and just wait calmly for it to go. Takes about 4-6 minutes. If I use the nitrate spray that has effect in a minute or so. It's lovely when the pain lifts, then I just carry on with what I was doing - a little slower though. A lot of the time I don't use the spray, I just wait patiently for relief. But if I am out walking and know I have to get home for example then I use the nitrate during an attack and am more careful. I was using the spray first and then going swimming - that worked quite well, got some exercise without angina, but at the moment I am banned from doing any until I get replumbed.

Hope this helps, Macy. Let me know if there is anything else you want to know. Take care.
Annie