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4 stents later and still have shortness of breath
Has anyone had shortness of breath and some chest pressure, 99% of the time upon exertion, EVEN AFTER, having 4 cardiac stents in the LAD artery? I have met with 3 pulmonary specialist who advised my lungs are fine and it's not my lungs. I have had 4 catheritizations in less than 2 years, 2 of which they inserted 2 stents each time and 1 of which caused a femoral artery dissection (right groin) and 1 which was last August (in arm which spasms), said no need for any other stents at this time. 4 cardiologists later, I'm at a loss! I'm frustrated, fatigued, gaining weight, losing my hair and very frustrated. Are there any other tests that can be done that are not invasive? recent stress tests (nuclear and exercise) seem to be considered normal. Echo shows only mitral valve moderate regurgitation and mild tricuspid regurgitation. Cardiologists said he will do another angio "If I want". If I want? Not sure what to do! Still on plavix, aspirin, metropolol, imdur, losartan, repatha.
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Clearly your physicians did a lot of testing for different things. Any idea why they would not do the Cardiac MRI stress test? Was it an insurance "decision" (in quotes because that's the tail wagging the dog), or a medical decision?
I just started having shortness of breath when exercising and it feels like my heart is fluttering or like my lungs are heavy. My primary doctor ordered a stress and electrocardiogram testing for me. I’m going to be 70 in October. Sounds like I have what you have. My doctor thinks it’s an electrical issue. I’m on zetia and Lipitor and not overweight. I don’t drink or smoke. How painful are the caths?
@rexm - No not at all... I have great insurance. I was told by more than 1 dr. "I know what I'm doing"! Honestly, I believe it was an ego thing.... and not to point fingers... but they were men and I felt they were dismissive to me and my symptoms. They were ALL testing for why I still had such shortness of breath and chest pain/pressure. Hence the 5 caths and a femoral dissection as a result of 1 of them! I went to 2 pulmonary specialists who tested me extensively and my lungs were fine. However, my new cardiologist, since February, is a woman cardiologist, and she ordered a PET cardiac stress scan and it was "normal" and that's when I insisted on MRI cardiac stress and she "slightly" hesitated with a response, "I'll try to get authorization" and I immediately said I don't need authorization - please order it now and that took 2 months to get an appt. Now she said "Good thing WE ordered an MRI"! lol AND there's no explanation from PET Scan radiologist why it did not show up on that test and it should have.
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3 ReactionsSo do they know what is causing the shortness of breath?
Yes, Cardiac Microvascular Disease is the most likely culprit. My stress test in July showed a blockage, but my cardiac catheterization in September showed my arteries are nay 30% blocked, so they didn’t put n a stent. When I asked what was causing my symptoms, they said probably “small vessel disease,” another name for CMD. I have the same symptoms you do.
@riflemanz64
I recently had a Cath and it was easy, quick and rather painless. Went home a couple hours later.
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1 Reaction@gerrycf - What was your treatment following the MRI? I had a similar issue but with 3 severe blockages. I ended up having a Angiogram-Complex PCI with lithotripsy, medicated balloons, and medicated stents; restored blood flow to 100% at all three blockages. Interventional Cardiologist did my PCI and I avoided a double bypass, which was great with me! I hope you are doing better and am interested in what your f/u treatment was. Thanks.
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2 ReactionsIs there any cardiologist you think is better? Then contact that doctor for a new visit or another hospital with a different cardiologist. Your lungs are good which shows you didn't get a blood clot there during your surgery which is good. Your shortness of breath is due to your heart, you may have had heart failure after the surgery and/or leakage at your operated stents which sounds most likely. Follow up with the cardiologist you trusted the most and request an examination of your heart with, for example, an ultrasound and ECG (electrocardiogram)! Stand up! Hugs!
Mitral valve can cause SOB…what about an echocardiogram to check on the mitral valve…? I am a doctor but not an MD. Have refractory angina…I can relate. 🙏🙏🙏