Recently diagnosed with CAD - Scared to live

Posted by jaireeves17 @jaireeves17, Jul 22, 2025

Hi all. I was just recently diagnosed with CAD. Coronary artery disease. I have been scared to live. Depressed and not willing to do most things I used to love. It’s not been a week as of yet and I have cried everyday since. I got a stent placed in my artery to allow blood flow. I’m on some meds to help my heart but has been unable to sleep. I’m looking to bond with people that has similar diagnosis. I’m ready to take my life back, one day at a time. I need a support group. In search of one.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

deniseheart | @deniseheart | Feb 23 8:10am

In reply to @margaretfriel "I SO Agree, Today the challenge of dealing with the Medical Community is like dancing on..." + (show)

@margaretfriel get another opinion from another doctor in a different practice.

margaretfriel | @margaretfriel | Feb 23 11:57am

In reply to @njx58 "@margaretfriel That's crazy. If I were about to turn 88, I'd tell the doctor "I think..." + (show)

@njx58 Thank You ... Loved Your Answer.
My Daughter & I were at an appt. with a cardiologist @ a year ago. My response to a Cardiologist was Very similar ... she looked surprised, then said: 'If you're not going to listen to me & follow my orders, Find yourself a New Dr.!" & pointed to the door!
My daughter & I were Speechless, looked at one another, got up & left ... went to the car & LAUGHED!
OH, & P.S. I've found a new cardiologist, & if I choose not to follow their recommendations, I just don't tell 'em.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Mar 1 3:29pm

In reply to @margaretfriel "I SO Agree, Today the challenge of dealing with the Medical Community is like dancing on..." + (show)

@margaretfriel if you haven’t had any episodes of clotting in over ten years you shouldn’t still be on blood thinners. Is your cardiologists or PCP prescribing them?

hoping25 | @hoping25 | Mar 2 7:13am

In reply to @margaretfriel ""Not-MD" Friel here, You're getting nothing but a lot of "WHO-HA" from that Dr. I had..." + (show)

@margaretfriel hi what were the side effects ?

cgrove9 | @cgrove9 | Mar 2 9:34pm

I see you healed.
This heart issue is a thing of the past
As children of God we were given the power to heal ourselves and others
The key is knowing how to pray
Give Praise to our Creator..
Lord, your will be done
See and imagine you are healed in all situations and that your life has changed
Visualize how wonderful it is to be healthy and happy
and it will come to pass.
I pray for your healing now
It is done

rochelle369 | @rochelle369 | Mar 3 11:52am

Think of it as a new beginning. I had no symptoms and high cholesterol of 275 and ldl of 176. I had a coronary computed tomography angiogram (ccta) and then they send the disc to a company called cleerly. Showed i had 80 percent blockage in widow maker and 60 percent blockage in right coronary artery. I started dr esselstyn’s program- very low fat - no oil- no sugar- low sodium whole food plant based diet. In 4 months my total cholesterol was 145 and LDL was 76. With CAD you need lower numbers. Couldnt do statins cause muscle aches so started repatha. Total cholesterol 80 and LDL is 25. I plan to do another ccta and have cleerly do an analysis to see if ive reverswd some of the blockages

margaretfriel | @margaretfriel | Mar 4 6:39pm

In reply to @jenatsky "@margaretfriel if you haven’t had any episodes of clotting in over ten years you shouldn’t still..." + (show)

@jenatsky
Thank you for your "Common Sense" response. I also see a GP (Dr. of Internal Medicine) who does a scan of my carotid artery every 12 months. In early Feb. he did his 'annual artery-scan' . When results were in, the age of my carotid artery had actually gone backwards from the year before: Artery-Age: 57 to Artery-Age 53 (this year)! The Dr.'s comment was, "Obviously you're doing The Right Things, maintaining a Healthy weight, getting sufficient exercise, eating the right kinds of food ... What else would you like for me to say?" When I told him Cardiologists were pushing Blood Thinners he just smiled & shook his head NO.
I fill the Cardiologists prescription, & take his blood thinner every-other day instead of 2 a day. Last appointment with the Cardiologist he seemed quite Pleased with how well he thinks I'm doing. (& What's My Response? A BIG Smile!).

valentine5358 | @valentine5358 | Mar 9 2:48pm

In reply to @margaretfriel "Hello milkmaid & jaireeves, I've walked in your Moccasins... when I was diagnosed (by the Physicians..." + (show)

@margaretfriel

Hello milkmaid & jaireeves,
I've walked in your Moccasins... when I was diagnosed (by the Physicians Assistant in my GP's office) of having A-Fib, & then talked to my Dr., (her boss) they both explained, potentially It Can Be a fatal cardiac condition ... & they put me on a Toxic blood thinner. I too was traumatized + had 5 or 6 side-effects to that drug including Insomnia, (a big part was due to my fear & super-anxiety)! I had to ASK to be referred to a Cardiologist who was more understanding but couldn't change the prescrip. ordered by the other Dr. "That Was It!" - I left the GP practice (I'd used for Years) & found a New GP. The New GP then "soothed & smoothed my feathers"! She told me these types of Cardio abnormalities Can be a natural part of the Aging Process (I was 84 at the time), & that properly managed "Life Can Go On" with a few adjustments. Over the next 2 years when I felt Dr.'s weren't REALLY listening to me, prescribing an Alternative drug rather than doing a little research to find the Right drug FOR ME, I'd Find A New Cardiologist! I came to realize Dr.'s are Very Busy these days & their Clinics push them to 'get the patients In & Out A.S.A.P.'! In addition, when a Patient doesn't Really Doesn't Need an expensive Pharmaceutical, the Dr.'s are probably told, "Prescribe That Patient SOMETHING anyway!" I later learned that for a very-few number of Patients with Certain levels of Cardio Abnormalities, prescribing Low Dose Aspirin is Sufficient, Particularly if the Patient cannot tolerate the toxic Pharmaceuticals that are now available. And I have a Very Basic Policy, I WILL NOT Take A Drug to "fix" another Drug I'm taking (PERIOD). Please Find A Right Drug For Me!
Just yesterday a Physician Assistant with 30 years of experience admitted Pharmaceutical Companies commission or reward the Dr.'s OR their Practice for every Prescription written.
So There It Is! Ca-Ching$ Ca-Ching$ Ca-Ching$. It's the Tail (Big Pharma) Wagging The Dog (MOST Doctors &/or their Practice)! It took me 4 Years of asking Credible Medical People before someone would confirm My Greatest Suspicion! You wouldn't believe all the "Dodge-Ball" answers I'd get when I'd Ask Dr.'s this question (over the past 4 years ... some even Denied it.). And the PAA smiled when he said, "You're a pretty smart Cookie to have figured that out. Most patients Never make that connection or are afraid to ask the question.)

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@margaretfriel
I'm dealing with this same issue right now. I have stable angina for the last 19 years (stent was done in 2006 for blockage in left anterior descending artery (atorvastatin 40 mg, 81mg aspirin, metoprolol, lisinopril 10 mg). I had some symptoms last summer 2025. Catheterization showed the stent was still working; a doctor in cath lab theorized that there may have been a clot due to plaque (they weren't sure, guesswork). Blood thinner, Plavix, was added to my meds. I accepted that change to prevent clotting. Now i'm being pressured really hard to take a high dosage of a powerful statin. My cardiologist tricked me by suggesting 40mg rosuvastatin (Crestor); I thought it was just a change in brand name drug. It turns out this drug is mislabeled and it is really 80mg strength. It is not recommended for women my age (78 yrs), and because women as we age tend to be vulnerable to develop type II diabetes. This drug has caused the disease in women who were not previously diagnosed until taking this drug. I happen to know that this drug company (Astra zenaca) was sued for deceptive advertising, kick backs to doctors, causing permanent damage to joints, deaths due to liver disease and kidney failure, and more. I mentioned this to my cardiologist in an email. Now I'm being pressured by a lipid nurse on my medical portal. This betrayal has caused me much distress. My primary care doctor has now expressed concern that I'm being overdosed. We are dealing with this issue this week.

valentine5358 | @valentine5358 | Mar 9 3:06pm

In reply to @deniseheart "@margaretfriel get another opinion from another doctor in a different practice." + (show)

@deniseheart
That's exactly how I feel right now. I'm looking for a new cardiologist. See my post on here.

margaretfriel | @margaretfriel | Mar 9 4:04pm

In reply to @jenatsky "@margaretfriel if you haven’t had any episodes of clotting in over ten years you shouldn’t still..." + (show)

@jenatsky
My a-fib was diagnosed 5 years ago, however I was unaware that I had it at the time (Only symptom was fatigue … constant lack of energy)
I live in a community with a Medival School, most of the Dr.’s here have Med. Residents working in their offices … & for 2 years that’s All I Saw! I finally walked away from the practice where a-fib was diagnosed & searched out a group of Dr.’s where I was assured of being seen by Experienced Dr.’s
The Physician Assistants were all “Pill Pushers!” My body couldn’t tolerate the strong Meds, & I msde up my mind …I Will Not Take A Pill to “Fix” the side effects of Another Pill!
It’s taken 5 years but I’ve finally found Dr.’s who’ll Listen & “Get It”!

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