Coronary Artery Ectasia (CAE): Want to hear from others

Welcome to Connect, @vicks. I can only imagine your concern, and I'm so glad you reached out to the Connect community for some answers. Since coronary artery ectasia is attributed to atherosclerosis in majority of cases, I'd like to invite @HeartPatches @jacks4 @kandjmoore1, to share their insights with you, as they've also discussed atherosclerosis.

I thought I’d introduce you to a few Connect members who've shared their experiences with Coronary Artery Disease as well; please meet @jchp @llecrup @donnac1969 @lioness @marnie10. Im confident they will join in with more information.

@vicks, how did your doctor diagnose the coronary artery ectasia (CAE)? Did you have any symptoms? What are the next steps, in terms of treatment?

Thanks for getting back to me....had chest pain shortly after getting back from Philippines...so doctor did usual EKG...etc...sent request to Cardiologist who did Mibi test followed by an angiogram...which pictures showed Pronounced Ectasia with 50% blockaged in 1 Artery....they basically put me on Crestor 20....aspirin 81...and plavix 75..and said it was manageable...the pictures were frightening to see and after seeing cardiologist he did not know much about it it seemed but we agreed to have CT of Aorta..which was ok ....have. Referral for A Rheumatologist but isn’t till later September which is ridiculous...need to know more like yesterday
so being being proactive and trying to find more information with a medical professional who has dealt with Ectasia...dealing w Naturalpath...and changing lifestyle of course using CardioFlex (high vit C lysine Q10 Magnesium ++) protein shake...exercise. But hard to control stress....rupture always a thought....told could have a lot to do with immune system and inflammatory disease ....still have chest pain 80% of time and manage w Tramacet 325 at night which helps...sorry a little long...but just putting it out there in hope....I’m a young 67 non smoker and had hopes of an older age....trying to keep positive...thanks Gary

Hi @vicks,

Thanks for sharing your history. While we wait for fellow Connect members to join us, I'm also tagging Mentors Martin @predictable, and Teresa @hopeful33250, who have much experience in heart-related conditions, and I'm sure they will be able to offer more insight.

Hello @vicks,

I so appreciate your reaching out to Connect with this newly diagnosed heart condition. As I had not heard of it before I checked it out on google and came up with this link, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1861081/ from the NIH. I see that this is a rare disorder and only affects a small percentage of people in the U.S. I can certainly understand your concern. Dealing with a rare disorder tends to cause more concern than something that is more common and has more treatment options.

I really applaud you for your proactive approach. I appreciate your comment, "...so being being proactive and trying to find more information with a medical professional who has dealt with Ectasia." Being proactive is very important along with "trying to keep positive."

I noticed that you said that you have an appointment scheduled with a Rheumatologist. Is that because this disorder is an autoimmune problem? Just wondering.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

Teresa

I don't understand why he is sending you to rheumatologist?this should be handled by a cardiologist I would take all your test results to your PCP

His reference is directed at disease which could be RA...and possible inflammation....says he is familiar with it but yes have my doubts...might seek out a back up Cardiologist..thanks

Keep me posted as to what Dr says I think your wise to have another opinion from another Cardiologist

@vicks

Thanks for the added information - yes second opinions are always a good idea - especially if you go to a large research facility like Mayo or a university medical school.

I look forward to hearing from you again regarding your success in dealing with this disorder.

Teresa

Hi, Gary @vicks. I can help best by endorsing what Teresa suggested yesterday and emphasizing that CAE's secondary -- and most puzzling cause -- can be inflammation. If your cardiologist suspects that, a referral to a rheumatologist makes sense. I hope you can take two good steps forward: 1) get a second opinion from another cardiologist, this one with a strong reference for experience with CAE, and 2) track down an experienced rheumatologist as soon as you can and have your ectasia checked for inflammation. With them on your medical team, I am confident you'll develop the means to manage your ectasia without seriously discomforting symptoms. My other piece of advice is to develop your own confidence that your problem is not as threatening as it might seem right now, and if your doctors don't prescribe unusual treatments and lifestyle changes, trust them until you get concrete evidence that you need more help than they can provide. Keep us advised so we can back you up as you move forward. Martin

Hi Vicks another suggestion if it is inflammation drink ginger-turmeric te s both great for inflammation.Get it at Trader Joe,s read more about inflammation if this is the cause