Breathing Problems. - Heart Disorders Message Board

Tommy212 · 04-15-2009, 10:24 PM

So I'm not exactly sure on where to put this topic since I don't really know the exact problem my father has right now.

Since December my father has been having a lot of breathing problems as well as fast/strong heart rhythms while he has trouble breathing. The rate at which this occurs is very random. It'll happen several times a day for several minutes at a time. Since then he has been in and out of his primary doctor to see what exactly is wrong. His doctor scheduled him to go to Lenox Hill Hospital to have him do a procedure called an Angiogram.

During at that time he was there for 2 days. When they did the Angiogram they discovered that one of his arteries was partially blocked. They did a procedure called an Angioplasty. They inserted a very small needle with a balloon at the end of it into the partially blocked artery and inflated the balloon to push the blockage against the walls. Ever since the procedure he was feeling absolutely great he said. He was able to breath so much better. Unfortunately that only lasted about a week.

The last couple of days his same exact symptoms made a return. The only difference now is that he no longer has the rapid heart beat he experienced before. Just the breathing problems. My father will be starting from scratch and will be going back to his primary doctor again tomorrow to see what else is wrong. Has anyone else exp this or know someone that went through the same thing? Any information is greatly appreciated!

EDIT: I should add this. He is 66 yrs old. He USE to be a smoker but quitted smoking decades ago and he has no prior family history of these kinds of problems.

Fizzickle · 04-16-2009, 07:54 PM

Tommy212:

Could your father return directly to cardiology? One of the problems with angioplasty, as I understand it, is that the artery sometimes will become blocked again fairly quickly. Metal stents are frequently used to hold the artery open after angioplasty.

I've had bypass surgery but have never had angioplasty. And I'm no doctor, but it seems to me that your father needs to be evaluated again fairly quickly.

Tommy212 · 04-16-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fizzickle

Tommy212:

Could your father return directly to cardiology? One of the problems with angioplasty, as I understand it, is that the artery sometimes will become blocked again fairly quickly. Metal stents are frequently used to hold the artery open after angioplasty.

I've had bypass surgery but have never had angioplasty. And I'm no doctor, but it seems to me that your father needs to be evaluated again fairly quickly.

i was at work today and got a call from my father, his doctor scheduled him to go back to Lenox today. I'm not exactly sure if they are going to do the same procedure again. But if what your saying is true, then i'm thinking they will do another Angiogram to see if the artery got blocked again somehow. Thanks for that info. I'll post back on results on his second visit there.

Fizzickle · 04-17-2009, 12:12 PM

My best to your father.

Bill

Tommy212 · 04-17-2009, 10:06 PM

ok so my father came back today and he did the same procedure he did the first time he went, an Angiogram. However nothing was found to be wrong with his heart. So there has to be another problem with my father.

I'm very worried. Anyone know what could it be? My father will yet again go BACK to his PCP and start from scratch again! If anyone has any ideas on what could be causing my fathers problems plz post or give any theories! I asked my father to ask his doctor to check his lung. Thats the only place I can think of right now.