stress test showed apex of heart not getting enough blood
My husband had a major heart attack 5 years ago while playing icehockey. He was 39. Damage was in back of heart, and now his stress tests are shaped like a horseshoe vs. circle (bloodflow not complete due to dead muscle from attack). In 2004 he had a dream he had another heart attack, he looked pale, and I insisted he call his cardio. He did, and they performed a stress test. He had a segment depression of greater than 1mm and dr. ordered an angio. Paul had a 90% blockage in artery...yet never had pain, not even in 2001 heart attack. Last year (2005) stress test revealed lack of blood flow in apex part of heart...dr felt meds and diet would be fine since he (paul) was not having chest pains (he never does). Yearly stress test on 11/7/06 Paul had discomfort in chest during treadmill part. He never felt discomfort/pain in any of his many stress tests. Dr. called tonight after reviewing heart pictures and told us his apex showed significant lack of blood flow since last years stress. Paul will have an angio cath next week to determine what is going on. Paul and I are scared, we have a 17 and 13 year old and they are scared. Paul has been called "the adult poster for heart disease" given his diet, excercise, and habits since his heart attack at 39. yet, each year he has more plaque. what does the apex part of hear do? I'm confused since back of heart muscle has died as his heart attack occured right after attack of America and they could not fly him to a facilty where there was angio equipment to find the blockage. I need help
Re: stress test showed apex of heart not getting enough blood
Hi Lenin
Thank you for your reply. Paul has been on statins the past five years, and yes, he takes aspirin. Also fish oil, exercise, diet, all the right things. It was a tough night not being able to have him air flown back in 2001. His heart attack was on 9/14/01. Thank you for your confidence.
Rose
Re: stress test showed apex of heart not getting enough blood
update60 my husband's heart. He had an angiocath yesterday and there was an 80% blockage in his rca artery. They went through an existing stent from 2001 to get to the blockage and put in second stent. He is doing well and in the hospital. He is only 44 and now has three stents. Our doctor is going to have us see a specialist (I forget what kind as I'm just tired from long day in hospital) because Paul is diligent with meds, exercise and his diet yet his arteries are still filling with plaque. Paul's cath in 2004 showed two blockages of 60%, they were there in his 2001 cath too. NO change in the 60 percent blockages in five years then out of the blue he has an 80 percent not even seen in 2004. Paul is very optimistic...me...I'm very worried...I thank God for stress tests. My boys, 17 and 13 are so scaredf for their Dad and I am doing my best not to show all my nervous energy.
