Heart Disease (cont.)

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Angioplasty and stenting

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If the coronary angiogram (coronary=heart + angio=artery + gram=record) shows significant blockage in an artery, the cardiologist may attempt an angioplasty, in which a balloon is placed via a catheter (as with angiography) at the area of narrowing and when quickly inflated, compresses the offending plaque into the wall of the artery. Often a stent, or a metal cage, is placed at the site of angioplasty to keep the blood vessel from narrowing again. Should a stent be placed, patients are usually started on antiplatelet medication to prevent clot formation. Clopidogrel (Plavix) and prasugrel (Effient) are the two most common medications prescribed.

Surgery

For those patients with multiple coronary artery blockages, coronary artery bypass grafting may be a consideration.

REFERENCE: Ho JS, et al. Relation of a coronary artery calcium score higher than 400 to coronary stenoses detected using multidetector computed tomography and to traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Am J Cardiol. May 15 2008;101(10):1444-7.


Reviewed by Daniel Lee Kulick, MD, FACC, FSCAI on 9/14/2011

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Heart Disease - Diagnosis Question: Have you been diagnosed with a type of heart disease? If so, what was the diagnosis and treatment.
Heart Disease - Risk Factors Question: What are/were your risk factors for developing heart disease?
Heart Disease - Symptoms Question: Describe the symptoms associated with your heart disease.
Heart Disease - Tests Question: Please describe the exams and tests you received that led to a diagnosis of heart disease.
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Heart Disease - Medications Question: What medications and/or supplements do you take to prevent heart disease?
Heart Disease - Angioplasty Question: Please share your experience with angioplasty, stenting, or heart surgery.

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