Members garytees Posted February 14, 2008 Members Share Posted February 14, 2008 I had an angioplasty when I was 46. I'm 55 now and just retired. I smoke a pipe. I'm sure the doctors where you are know what their doing. just give your dad a lot of love and hugs. That's the best medicine. He'll be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SA Rios Posted February 14, 2008 Members Share Posted February 14, 2008 65 isn't old...not by a long shot. +1 The life expectancy here in the US is up to around 78 now for men, IIRC. 65 is when you should be just starting your retirement and still be in fairly good health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members REMUS Posted February 14, 2008 Author Members Share Posted February 14, 2008 My dad saw the surgeon today, he can't have the same procedure as lugs dad because the narrowing (50-80%) is in a problem area... So it's now a question of when, not if, my dad has open heart surgery Thanks for every-ones mojo, prayers and advice though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members picker13 Posted February 14, 2008 Members Share Posted February 14, 2008 To my understanding, the treatment of a documented blockage is either the procedure your father had, or surgery. BTW, you can't put a stent in unless you have a successful angioplasty. I understand that some centers are doing coronary bypass surgeries using scopes. They make smaller incisions, don't have to crack open the sternum or ribs, and there is a faster, less painful recovery. It's best for limited procedures, like a one-vessal bypass. It all depends on how bad his other vessels look and if they need a "pre-emptive" bypass. There is no medical treatment once the plaques have ruptured and occluded or nearly occluded the arteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gspointer Posted February 14, 2008 Members Share Posted February 14, 2008 Thoughts are with you. My dad had a bypass for a blockage, pryor to that he was active, walked daily, walked 18 holes 2x a week etc. The day after the procedure, he sat up to comb his hair, and had a severe stroke. I am very happy to hear of the successes in here, but I would guess my fathers is considered a success also. A piece of placque broke free at the splice and caused his stroke, due to the medications he was on, they were unable to administer the stroke meds. I sincerely do not wish to spread any bad karma etc, but if I ever face this decision, I will ask about the liklehood of a similar event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emprov Posted February 14, 2008 Members Share Posted February 14, 2008 So it's now a question of when, not if, my dad has open heart surgery Thanks for every-ones mojo, prayers and advice though Again, they're getting really good at this stuff, I imagine it must have you guys pretty freaked out but he's going to be fine. You say that he's in good shape, I can't help but think that this will pay huge dividends in his recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted February 14, 2008 Members Share Posted February 14, 2008 My dad saw the surgeon today, he can't have the same procedure as lugs dad because the narrowing (50-80%) is in a problem area... So it's now a question of when, not if, my dad has open heart surgery Thanks for every-ones mojo, prayers and advice though After he recovers from this he'll feel much better than he did before the heart attack. Having that blockage removed he'll feel he's supercharged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators isaac42 Posted February 14, 2008 Moderators Share Posted February 14, 2008 That's called Angioplasty. Usually the next step is stints. These are little wire cages that spring open and hold the artery open (The look like the old chinese finger capture toy). My dad had failed agioplasty followed by stints and the stints worked like a charm. It could be the location is wrong or something but definately have him ask about it before agreeing to open heart surgery because the stint method is very very safe. As far as living healthy, over 50% of heart problems are hereditary. While bad habits can make these worse, living right doesn't guarantee good health all the time. Not stints. Stents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thelurker Posted February 14, 2008 Members Share Posted February 14, 2008 Prayers and best wiishes for your dad. A single bypass should be pretty simple, I've heard of as many as five, IIRC. It's pretty miraculous when you think about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted February 15, 2008 CMS Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 Hey Remus, sorry to hear about this. Since the surgery seems the only way to go, let 'em have at it and git 'er done. If your dad is depressed now or after the surgery, it is perfectly normal, but do whatever you can to help him get through that, as it is very important to stay optimistic. He'll be just fine, and it's great that he's been active all along. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pbass_groovin Posted February 15, 2008 Members Share Posted February 15, 2008 Coronary Artery Bypass Graft or CABG can be a very effective procedure and add many years of life. It involves harvesting veins from the leg...or sometimes the radial artery in an arm. Remus, Be sure your dad goes through cardiac rehab after surgery. The doctor may not mention it but ask the doctor to refer him. Cardiac rehab is an outpatient exercise & education program designed to increase strength & endurance and provide education on lifestyle modification...such as controlling high blood pressure, stress management, nutrition, etc. Medicare and most commercial insurance will pay for 36, 1-hour visits. Most programs meet 3 days a week so its about a 12 week program. They will monitor his heart rhythm, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. You're dad may not want to go but this is vital in his recovery and preventing another cardiac event. Encourage him. By the way this is what I do for a living...I'm an exercise physiologist & director of cardiac rehabilitation at a hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted February 15, 2008 Members Share Posted February 15, 2008 Coronary Artery Bypass Graft or CABG can be a very effective procedure and add many years of life. It involves harvesting veins from the leg...or sometimes the radial artery in an arm. Remus, Be sure your dad goes through cardiac rehab after surgery. The doctor may not mention it but ask the doctor to refer him. Cardiac rehab is an outpatient exercise & education program designed to increase strength & endurance and provide education on lifestyle modification...such as controlling high blood pressure, stress management, nutrition, etc. Medicare and most commercial insurance will pay for 36, 1-hour visits. Most programs meet 3 days a week so its about a 12 week program. They will monitor his heart rhythm, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. You're dad may not want to go but this is vital in his recovery and preventing another cardiac event. Encourage him. By the way this is what I do for a living...I'm an exercise physiologist & director of cardiac rehabilitation at a hospital. Medicare is not available east of Maine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crescent Seven Posted February 15, 2008 Members Share Posted February 15, 2008 Medicare is not available east of Maine. Well, they don't call it Medicare... C7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members REMUS Posted February 15, 2008 Author Members Share Posted February 15, 2008 How far east of Maine is the UK... Thanks Craigv and Pbass My dad is coming home for a bit to recover and wait for a date for the Op, looking forward to seeing him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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