Review the Options

Dr. Zipes — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:30 +0000

A cardiac catheterization revealed that one artery is blocked and two others are partially closed. I was told that nothing could be done because of my age. Could you enlighten me on what I could do?

I concur that exercise and diet will not help at this point. But I am not certain why the doctor feels nothing else can be done. We put stents in such arteries, even in elderly patients like you, and occasionally do bypass surgery. There may be other reasons why your doctor does not want to do anything further. For example, you say you are not having any symptoms and perhaps have excellent collaterals. Those are new arteries that help supply the heart with blood when the main arteries are blocked. I would suggest you reopen the discussion, and ask why your doctor does not want to do anything more.

Review the Options The Saturday Evening Post

Convoluted Heart Vessels

Dr. Zipes — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:45 +0000

My heart catheterization was normal, other than “very tortuous cardiac vessels.” Are you aware of studies showing the cause or consequence of my cardiac vessel condition? Should my offspring or “grands” be tested, and can it be detected without a cardiac cath?

Tortuous coronary arteries are usually a normal variant of no concern. Sometimes they can be associated with high blood pressure. There is no need for routine testing of your children or grandchildren unless they have symptoms.

Convoluted Heart Vessels The Saturday Evening Post

The Saturday Evening Post » Cardiac catheterization

Review the Options

Convoluted Heart Vessels