Cardiologist appt. today- scarry news !

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:24 am

I kept the appointment with the cardiologist today and she said she thinks she heard a possible Cartoid Artery in the right side of my neck. She did an ekg and sent me home with the halter ekg machine that you wear for 24 hours. NOW WHAT? I have my post-op visit tomorrow with my ENT and my nasal surgery is next tuesday on nov.20th.. Also, on wed. of this week, I am supposed to go to the hospital and do blood work, & pre-register @ 1:00pm. but then I am supposed to go back to the cardiologist this thursday as well at 4:30pm to get an ultra sound of my neck and some other test ! Wow, I am wondering now if I do have a blocked carotid artery if they can/ or will even do the septum surgery! Does anyone have a clue? I'm afraid that if this nasal surgery gets cancelled that I will be to chicken to re-schedule it, in other words, I may never have it done Has anyone here ever had this artery thing and if so, what procedures did you have to have and did you suffer any strokes or heart attacks? Thanks guys & gals

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:15 am

my mom had a carotid endarterectomy at about age 65, she's about 90 now with more energy that I have. It is a risky procedure.

Cardiovascular disease is systemic meaning if you have a blockage in your carotids, you have it in all your arteries. More common as we age, does it get to a point where you need surgery? sure it can, but the benefit must outweigh the risk.
The risk can be many but stroke is at the top of the list.

Blocked carotids are a risk factor for stroke (piece of plaque can break off travel unimpeded to the brain causing a stroke). But they normally avoid doing an endarterectormy until last resort, the reason is because the risk of stroke is so great (no filter to stop a blood clot from the surgery itself from traveling on up to the brain and blocking the tiny arteries of the brain). Its one of those damned if we do and damned if we don't.

As you can imagine, the brain controls everything, reason it had redundant blood vessels feeding it with oxygenated blood, in fact there are 4 of them the internal and external carotids which all meet at the base of the brain called circle of willis. So if you have one completely blocked carotid you can get along fine, in fact if one is blocked the other 3 probably have already enlarged to compensate for the loss of flow. If you have two or more partially blocked then they may recommend surgery, because of a artery becomes completely blocked you cannot unblock it.

If it needs surgery depends on the degree of blockage, doctor most likely heard a "burr" which is why the further tests were ordered. The ultra sound is pretty accurate at detecting the blood flow. A burr can occur at a bifurcation point (Y branch) and it makes a swooshing or turbulent sound as the blood travels by it, sometimes that can be an indicator of a blockage.

Most likely they will try the drug approach first (Niaspan/Niacin).

Will they post-pone your septoplasty? probably not but it depends on the results of your carotid ultrasound. They will probably give you an echocardiography at the same time.

OSA, cardiovascular disease go hand in hand. Can it be reversed? sometimes, healthy diet, supplemental vitamin C, D & E can sometimes help.

http://www.niaspan.com/home.asp

Niaspan (timed release niacin) used to claim on their website they could regress that condition, but I think the FDA made them remove that claim.

Niacin raises your HDL cholesterol level (think it should be over 32), HDL is the good cholesterol that carries the bad stuff like plaque away.

Like I said you have 4 arteries feeding the brain, if one becomes blocked the others pick up the flow. By using CPAP you are taking strides in reversing that condition.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:39 am

You have information and lots of it for all of the people on this forum and we THANK YOU DEARLY! BTW, are you a Doctor ? If not, you should go to school and get a medical degree and there are a few other's here I think should go with you. You explained that to me so perfectly that I actually understood it Oh, BTW yes the doctor did say she heard a "BURR" and explained it to me like a river with running water vs a river at the shore where it's running/rolling over rocks! You we're right on with what you told me, Thank You SnoreDog

wabmorgan · Post by **wabmorgan** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:18 am

Anonymous wrote:BTW, are you a Doctor ? If not, you should go to school and get a medical degree

WOW!!!! I was thinking the same thing when I read Snoredog's reply.

His explanation of UPP also made me know that I DIDN'T want that procedure

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:23 am

Shirley,
I'm copying and pasting my reply from your other post to here too.
******************
Did you remind your doc you were on Boniva? Your symptoms could definitely have been an episode of atrial fib, or paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. I think this information about Boniva is extremely relevant.
I think you should call your ENT office and explain the situation. Could you get your labwork on Friday instead of Thursday? I think you should also ask the cardiologist if it possibly could be the Boniva, if it would in any way cause a problem during your ENT surgery.
Hopefully you can go ahead with your ENT surgery. I know the feelings you're probably having about that, and hope you can get it done. (I've had 2 of those).
I'm curious....did anyone take your pulse when you felt so bad?
Good luck and keep us posted!

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 10:59 am

If it were me - I would be most concerned about a stroke. Having seen patients who have suffered a stroke and seeing 1st hand how the brain interrupts communications with other parts of the body as a result.

Pts say they feel trapped in their own body. Unable to do so many things they have done ALL their lives, like move your left hand!!! To get an idea try going thru the rest of today by not using your left hand!

That IS the reason for the statin drugs, imo. To prevent strokes.

If there is even the slightest risk of a stroke, I would elect NOT to have the surgery, but that IS ME!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:30 pm

Country4ever wrote:Shirley,
I'm copying and pasting my reply from your other post to here too.
******************
Did you remind your doc you were on Boniva? Your symptoms could definitely have been an episode of atrial fib, or paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. I think this information about Boniva is extremely relevant.
I think you should call your ENT office and explain the situation. Could you get your labwork on Friday instead of Thursday? I think you should also ask the cardiologist if it possibly could be the Boniva, if it would in any way cause a problem during your ENT surgery.
Hopefully you can go ahead with your ENT surgery. I know the feelings you're probably having about that, and hope you can get it done. (I've had 2 of those).
I'm curious....did anyone take your pulse when you felt so bad?
Good luck and keep us posted!

Hi wabmorgan, No my pulse wasn't taken when that happened! I wrote on my new paperwork that I was on Boniva but this heart thing started 5 years ago and I had really bad insurance so I didn't go to the doctor but 1 time 2 years ago and he said he thought he heard a small leak and a murmor, wanted to do $$$$$$ tests so I didn't go back. This new cardiologist I saw yesterday knows i'm on Boniva I guess. Thanks

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:34 pm

GumbyCT wrote:If it were me - I would be most concerned about a stroke. Having seen patients who have suffered a stroke and seeing 1st hand how the brain interrupts communications with other parts of the body as a result.

Pts say they feel trapped in their own body. Unable to do so many things they have done ALL their lives, like move your left hand!!! To get an idea try going thru the rest of today by not using your left hand!

That IS the reason for the statin drugs, imo. To prevent strokes.

If there is even the slightest risk of a stroke, I would elect NOT to have the surgery, but that IS ME!!

Hi Gumby, I have the pre-op today for the nasal surgery and they told me to go ahead and come in & talk to the Doctor about what is going on and that I will need a clearance fron the cardiologist before he will do the nasal surgery, I am supposed to go to the hospital tomorrow to get the lab work and the pre-registration and give them a $300.00 deposit and way more to follow after that! I have to pay 35%, that's enough to give someone an attact all by itself ! Thanks

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:36 pm

Anonymous wrote:
Country4ever wrote:Shirley,
I'm copying and pasting my reply from your other post to here too.
******************
Did you remind your doc you were on Boniva? Your symptoms could definitely have been an episode of atrial fib, or paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. I think this information about Boniva is extremely relevant.
I think you should call your ENT office and explain the situation. Could you get your labwork on Friday instead of Thursday? I think you should also ask the cardiologist if it possibly could be the Boniva, if it would in any way cause a problem during your ENT surgery.
Hopefully you can go ahead with your ENT surgery. I know the feelings you're probably having about that, and hope you can get it done. (I've had 2 of those).
I'm curious....did anyone take your pulse when you felt so bad?
Good luck and keep us posted!
Hi country4ever, No my pulse wasn't taken when that happened! I wrote on my new paperwork that I was on Boniva but this heart thing started 5 years ago and I had really bad insurance so I didn't go to the doctor but 1 time 2 years ago and he said he thought he heard a small leak and a murmor, wanted to do $$$$$$ tests so I didn't go back. This new cardiologist I saw yesterday knows i'm on Boniva I guess. Thanks

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:24 pm

Hi, thought I'd let you know the gold standard diag. test for carotid plaque is called a Doppler - it's an ultrasound of your arteries (painless) and should be done before any conclusions are jumped to. And in case you want to know why I know - it's cuz I worked for many neurologists (some of them surgeons) at Toronto Hosp. and Mt. Sinai (among others) for years before ending up in N.S.

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:41 pm

Has anyone here ever had this artery thing and if so, what procedures did you have to have and did you suffer any strokes or heart attacks?

I have a stent in my left carotid due to blockage......no stroke or heart attack.

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:06 pm

Studies are being done in Australia showing the negative impact snoring has on your carotid artery.

Our daughter had the septum surgery many years ago. She was very uncomfortable, but is so glad she did it.

For what it is worth, my mom had hers done at 88 years old. She told me to see if I could have mine done when I am young...like 70

Good luck with it....

Sundown · Post by **Sundown** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:29 pm

I agree... the Ultrasound on your artery is crucial for determining blockage. I had one done and it was painless and very interesting to watch. They found mine was normal.

The reason why I am writing is I almost had a procedure done... just by believing my doctor's first observation. What happened was, I had a few heart palps and decided to go to a Cardiologist... he did several tests and stress tests (came back good) but was not sure on the Echo if it was breast shadowing or not... so he wanted (still wants to) do a Cardiac Cath on me... after reading about this procedure... it is RISKY!!!! I decided to get a second opinion and this Cardiologist seemed less concerned about a Cath and more on what is going on with my heart before he makes that decision...Iam going to wear another holster monitor and do another Echo on me...he says it may just be muscle spasms...

I would get a second opinion before any surgery.. especially one so invasive. I did and if it is just muscle spasms... I will be p*ssed. Sometimes I feel the docs do procedures because of insurance... I really do.

Let me know how it goes,
Sun

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:03 pm

Sundown,
I'm soooooooo glad you didn't have the cath. How absurd for your doc to jump from a few heart palps with an echo that may have been breast shadows......to a cath!! Gosh! Makes you wonder how some of these yahoos ever made it through med school!
I had a doctor like that. He ordered EVERY test in the book for everything. I finally wised up and dropped him. I think his problem was that he couldn't trust his own clinical judgement. He wanted tests and pictures to tell him EVERYTHING.
Anyhow......so glad you got a second opinion!

Sundown · Post by **Sundown** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:18 am

Country4ever wrote:Sundown,
I'm soooooooo glad you didn't have the cath. How absurd for your doc to jump from a few heart palps with an echo that may have been breast shadows......to a cath!! Gosh! Makes you wonder how some of these yahoos ever made it through med school!
I had a doctor like that. He ordered EVERY test in the book for everything. I finally wised up and dropped him. I think his problem was that he couldn't trust his own clinical judgement. He wanted tests and pictures to tell him EVERYTHING.
Anyhow......so glad you got a second opinion!

I will let you know if it's just "muscle spasms".... sometimes I wonder if insurance and doctors and tests are scams. I really believe in physicians, and I know they save lives... but....sometimes, I wonder... can good doctors turn bad ? (I sound like Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City.") lol

Cardiologist appt. today- scarry news !

Cardiologist appt. today- scarry news !

Snoredog, you blow me away!

Re: Snoredog, you blow me away!

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