
Diabetes, Bipolar Syndrome, Hypothyroidism, Arthritis, Proximal Coronary Artery Disease. Reason For Chest Pain?

My mom is 56 years old (88 kg in weight, obesed) and diagnosed with proximal coronary artery disease (50-60% blockage in one left coronary artery). The doctor ruled out any stent surgery and PTCA. She is currently on actiblok (beta blocker), atorvastatin and ecospirin. additionally, she also suffers from diabetes, bipolar syndrome, hypothyroidism and arthritis. She also takes medicines like Eltroxin 50mcg, Volix, Glix 0.2, olanzepine, quiteapine, ramistar, sleeping pills like zolpidem, lorazepam and diacerin. Recently for last 2 months, she is complaining mid chest pain localised at the middle near sternum, but not radiating towards soldier or hand, in the morning that persists for 3-4 hrs. On rest and giving some antacid, it usually vanishes in 3-4 hrs. The cardiologist says its due to stomach reflex and gave rabeprazole in the morning. She is taking this rabeprazole for last 7 days but, again, she experienced a sharp mid chest pain (like wound pain, she described) yesterday. I am really anxious, what is going on? Please suggest in this case. Thanks
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Obesity is a risk factor –
Diabetes is a major risk factor / considered Coronary Artery Disease equivalent...
Chest pain is often atypical, may even be absent in Diabetic
When was the angio done?
No intervention is done if the block is less than 70%
May be it it now time to repeat the angio, because of the symptoms.
Catheterisation and coronary angiography is the only way to directly ‘see’ the block, if any – and its location, extent, severity and so on. It is invasive but it is the gold standard...
As an alternative, stress thallium can be done....if she couldn’t do it because of arthritis, stress ECHOcardiogram may be tried to evaluate ischemia / to assess the PHYSIOLOGY (function) – to see whether the blood arriving at the heart muscle.
If there is a suggestion, the next step is to see the ANATOMY (structure). CT angio is non-invasive study for the anatomy. If positive, she will need catheterisation, anyway.
Clopidogrel could be added / Nitrates may be added / Beta-blocker may be stepped up / Discuss with your treating doctor.
Reflux Oesophagitis and/or gastritis can be confirmed by Upper G I Endoscopy.
Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck


Angiography was done on 30 Sept, 2012. Stress thallium was done on 15 Oct 2012. Stress thallium was negative for cardiac ischemia.
Well, is this good to go again for angiography so soon if it is needed?
Thanks
There is no set time gap to repeat the angiography - some times they have to be repeated next day / even on the same day
Repeating Stress Thallium will be the best approach under the circumstances...
Further planning will be decided by its results...
Regards

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