I need advice on something serious!!!!!!!?!
Question: My father who is 56, hasn't been feeling well. He really hasn't been himself lately-at all. On his side of the family there are alot of heart and high blood pressure problems. Today he went for an EKG...the doctor said there was a slight blockage in an artery, but she wanted to let it go??!! Isn't that something you take care of before it gets worse? He is also scheduled for a stress test and some other tests-in like 2 months from now. What is this doctor thinking? Shouldn't this be taken care of. Oh and she is a pill pushing doctor, and a doctor you can never ask questions. I went to her and didn't like her so i switched. I know there is nothing i can do, besides worry, but i really think something should be done about it before it gets worse. Maybe there is something i don't know. All i do know is the same thing happened to my father's father and he died at the age of 63. Same case-something found-nothing done about it.
Answers: My father who is 56, hasn't been feeling well. He really hasn't been himself lately-at all. On his side of the family there are alot of heart and high blood pressure problems. Today he went for an EKG...the doctor said there was a slight blockage in an artery, but she wanted to let it go??!! Isn't that something you take care of before it gets worse? He is also scheduled for a stress test and some other tests-in like 2 months from now. What is this doctor thinking? Shouldn't this be taken care of. Oh and she is a pill pushing doctor, and a doctor you can never ask questions. I went to her and didn't like her so i switched. I know there is nothing i can do, besides worry, but i really think something should be done about it before it gets worse. Maybe there is something i don't know. All i do know is the same thing happened to my father's father and he died at the age of 63. Same case-something found-nothing done about it.
Was she a cardiologist? Try to find somebody who specializes. That seems like a big deal... but maybe she meant that it was plaque? Either case, call a cardiologist, ask to speak with the MD over the phone and see if it's necessary to schedule an appt. right away. If he becomes symptomatic - shortness of breath at rest or exertion, chest, jaw, arm pain, especially "crushing" pain (RED FLAG)... go to ER!
get a second opinion.
Send him to another doctor.
You are the problem now. Why are you worrying? It is your courage and encouragement that your father needs now. A person who is having a hereditary record of heart ailments is likely to have heart probelms. It comes early depending upon his life style. Prevention is better than cure. Neither the doctor nor your father are to blame. As a responsible child you have to understand the situation properly and act accordingly. An ECG can initally show if there is an irregular function of the heart. There is a rhythemic contraction and expansion that the four chambers of the heart to follow. If the blood circulation to any of the area is hamperred, the rhythm is lost. Then inorder to evaluate, the doctor will do a stress test. If the patient passes the test, then the doctor decides to give him treatment with pills; and also advise him exercise. Then they do an Ultrasound examination. If any problem is found they will try to locate it by doing a coronory angiogram. If they find any block then they will try to do the angioplasty. If it does not work, they will go for a by -pass surgery. The doctor cannot explain all these things to you.
Now there is something that you can do to your father. Check his weight and if it is not in proportion to his height, put him on a diet to reduce his weight. Avoid Cholesterol. He must walk atleast for half an hour everyday. He must be happy all the time. Let him reduce the intake of salt. If he is active and agile, then even the present problem can get cured. You do not have to panic. Proper care can make your father live for 100 years. Death is an inevitable truth. A tsunami killed thousands of people who were in sound health. So think of the positive side and you will be happy
blame it on two things cholesterol and saturated fats .
Let it be ECG (EchoCardioGram) or Stress ECG which doctors measure the function of heart during stress like running or making heart pumping more blood. You cannot be sure with the results with ECG. Blocked arteries are best calculated with Angiography. If you live in states Get to the MAYO CLINIC. The best cardiology hospital in the US or probably in the world.