We really have not been doing much or anything too exciting, thus the lack of blogging. But this seems to be the right format for a health update as Curt's heart issues have been the focus for the last two months.
Ever since the last stent procedure the end of October, Hubby has felt things were still not right. He was experiencing angina on occasion when walking and exercising, especially when elevation was added to the mix. He shared his concern with the staff at the cardiac rehab center he has been attending (requirement since the October stent) and the staff shared the symptoms and concern with the cardiologist we were assigned when one was required for participation in the cardiac rehabilitation program here in AZ. We met with the cardiologist on January 16th and he ordered 4 tests over the next two weeks (in mid-January). The nuclear stress test result showed an abnormality. Another angiogram was scheduled for February 16th.
Dr. C shared after the procedure that he thought he had found the issue, but he was not comfortable trying to fix it. At the time we listened and asked a few questions, but did not really know what was found and where other than calcification causing blockage. A second angiogram was scheduled for February 21st, with a cardiologist "who likes challenges" in cleaning out blocked arteries.
Yesterday's procedure was not successful in terms of unblocking the artery. Dr. S shared it was too risky, although he did attempt to bore through the calcified material. But we did get more information, which is always good.
The blockage Dr. S worked on was the reason for the triple bypass surgery in July 2010. At that time that place was a 90% blockage and a vein from Hubby's thigh was used to reroute blood to the heart. (There were 2 more blockages, a 70% and a 50%, and they also had leg vein replacements in 2010.) Today that 90% is now 100% and hard as cement. Two of the three bypass veins are not working. Thus, the reason for the stents to open and keep open the arteries and veins that are working.
The good news is this area was not a new blockage. The bad news was it was not fixable.
Other good news: the angina is not constant and Hubby has learned little tricks to not bring it on, if possible. (He can walk and exercise 95% of the time without any issues.) Other good news: another medication has been prescribed to help with blood flow and angina.
The issue is genetics. Dietary changes have probably lessened the severity of Hubby's heart problems, but we are working with DNA and challenges which were in place long before his first symptom arose in 2010.
Life is a day-to-day operation for all of us whether there are health issues or not. We'll make the best of the situation as it could be so much worse. Thanks for all your prayers and concerns. Truly...All Is Well.