Protect your Heart
I am a 63-year-old woman suffering from a heart problem for the last 10 years. The report revealed 30% blockages in a major artery. Four years on the stress test came up abnormal. Radiology report revealed calcification of the Aortic Knuckle. My questions are:
1. Do I have increased blockage now? Can it be cleared with medicines & precautions?
2. Any chances of heart deterioration?
3. Is a fresh angiography needed for further investigations?
4. Precautions to be taken. I have been taking T. Ecosprin 75 for many years; avoid all fried or fatty foods. I am taking toned milk and curd, doing meditation, and walk for an hour daily.
You had a coronary angiogram performed in 2002 which revealed 30% block in one of the major arteries of the heart. Subsequently 4 years later in 2006 you have undergone a stress test which is positive with ECG changes in 6 minutes of exercise.
On the basis of the abnormal stress test, there is a distinct possibility that the 30% blockage in the artery has progressed over the last 4 years. You are on medications and the standard precautions would include strict dietary recommendation, regular exercise, weight reduction and lifestyle modification. However, I cannot comment on whether your blockage has increased or not, unless you have a repeat angiography which would give details of the same. The LVEF of 60% in the coronary angiography report in 2002 indicates that your heart function at that point of time was normal. Regarding chances of deterioration of the blockage, if you haven’t taken care in the past 4 years, there is a possibility that the blockage could have been worsened. However, there are various treatment modalities available. I think on the basis of the available reports you should undergo a coronary angiogram and then determine the further course of management based upon its findings.