Heart troubles- PLEASE READ!!!!

Okay- I don't know who else to turn to -- so you guys are it. As many of you know, I had a triple by-pass (cardiac) July 13, 2005. Last week I went for a Cardiac Scan. They basically inject you with an isotope and follow the blood through your heart. Vessel 1 - Previously a very diseased vessel. They used the mammary artery as a graft to bypass it. Graft is in great shape Vessel 2: Slightly diseased artery. They used a vein to bypass the artery. Vessel two is in great shape. Vessel 3: Was completely blocked when I had my bypass. My heart was backfilling through capilleries (collateral blood flow), and the physicians said that was the only reason I had not had a heart attack. They used the radial (wrist to elbow) artery to bypass that vessel. You guessed it. The vessel is completely blocked again. However, do to my great collateral blood flow, my heart is normal. ****! I am so freaked out. I just spent an hour on the phone with my cardiologist-- she has a few hypothesis: 1) This is the worst case The artery tanked. There is some evidence now that the radial artery often fails in grafts. It's also possible that my weight gain prior to WLS contributed to this. Potential fix includes a stent. 2) The artery was never good. Since I had collateral blood flow, my body never used the graft. No flow=occlusion from years ago. In that case, since there is no symptoms and ischemia, they will leave well enough alone and monitor. They are going to try and schedule me for a radiation stress test on Thursday. If that comes back normal, they are going to leave it alone. I won't know the results until next week. keep in mind, that the last time this happened I went in for a stent and came out with heart surgery. I feel like I am walking down the same path, and no matter what steps I take, I'll end up in the same position. I don't know who to talk to or what to do-- should I stay home this weekend. Should I tell my friends and family or wait and see. I am so scared, angry, feeling sorry for myself.

Andrea, I really don't know where to start. I'ts a good thing they caught this when they did. While I'm sure everybody hopes that you can still come to Vegas you have to do whats best for your health. Hopefully your doctor can help you figure out what that is. Keeping my fingers crossed that you can go. You should probably tell your family whats going on. They deserve to know. I feel honored that you came to us for support. I figure this too, you've been able to exercise and lose weight without any symptoms and they caught this in a routine check-up. That makes me believe your heart is OK and you will be OK. Take care beautiful and keep us informed. Tim

Thanks for the words and warm thoughts. I scheduled the test for Friday morning. I think I am going to go away this weekend, so I don't have to think about it. Andrea

Ditto to what Tim said. As soon as I read this I said a prayer for you. I know it is hard but stay optimistic. You have made it through so much and hopefully this is just a bump in the road. I so want to see you and give you a hug in Vegas but follow your doctors advice. TAKE CARE OF YOU!!!!! >>>>>HUG

Oh Andrea! Baby girl! First of all...I love ya and want you to do what is best for your health. I'm frightened for you right now, but it sounds like things are fixable and you're not in emminant danger as of right now, but what the hell do I know. I re-read this three times before posting to make sure I really understood what you were saying. From what I hear, stents are fairly easy and routine and recovery is quick. I know you are preparing for the worst, but your heart is in much better shape than it was last time you went in for heart surgery. You're NOT walking down the same path....you are healthier, not just because of your weight loss, but because as you said...you have great collateral blood flow and your heart appears normal this time around. I'm so tempted to be selfish and tell you to get your butt on that plane to Vegas, but I just can't say that to you. Do what your Dr's tell you. If your cardio. thinks it is a risk to be flying across the counrty and sinning it up then screw em' and do it anyway....uh, I mean follow their orders. We can certainly take it easy there. Afterall you have spa time coming to you...certainly that couldn't be too strenous...right? There I go again...trying to sway you. I'm sorry, I can't help it....I just really want to see you darlin! We'll use this time to relax and visit instead of party'n like a rock star! (we'll probably do that too a bit though). Love you girl! C

Dear Andrea, My prayers for your heart, both literal and figurative. You have gained so much this past year with your new lifestyle and weight; rest assured that you are in better shape to handle this scary turn of events. Talk to your doctor, de-stress, and feel the love, Frances

I agree with Channon's comment that your health is much better now and that includes your heart. My cardiologist would lay out his opinion on travel, if asked. I'd ask him now over a short phone call, and then make a decision. I'd probably opt toward going to Las Vegas, sinning a little less, and enjoy my new friends. It's truly a ***** of a decision. Know that we're in your corner! Dave

Yeah, yeah! What Dave just said....come to Vegas...just sin a little less! That Dave is a wise man! C

Oh my.... I'd be feeling all of those things, too, Andrea.... one good thing is, your body should go through any procedure really well now, with the loss of weight that you have had...you look great!! Say, did you have your RNY three days after open heart surgery? That musta been something!!! I should probably read your profile..i'm sure you talk about it all there... best wishes and prayers, Lori

Typo on my part Lori-- I had the cardiac surgery july 13, 2001-- 5 years ago.