i was living in California last year and suffered a seizure. I was taken to hospital were they found I had a blockage in my carotid arteries. Both were badly blocked somwere between 80 to 90%.
They performed surgery on on one side along with putting two stents into my bloodstream. I asked when or if I should have the other side done and was told to wait approximately one year.
Due to circumstances I came back to the uk to live. I visited my doctor and gave her all the notes relating to my surgery, she said she would write to the cardiologist and find out his opinion.
i full expected to receive an appointment to see him however my doctor received a message from him to say that he recommended increasing my statin doesage and that he didn't need to see me!!!
im confused and worried especially as the surgeon I America made it clear I should have the other artery unblocked by surgery.
Does anyone have any advice or information? Thank you in advance Dave
David,
I can certainly understand your concern; I have a relative who also had blockages just like you. The 90% blocked vessel was stented and she was told she could wait a while for the other one which was 85% blocked, because while the vessels
involved were on each side of her neck, not both on one side. Most, if not a lot
of people are unaware that we have a total of 4 vessels that feed the brain. Therefore when you present with significant blockages in 2 that means you still have 2 that are patent or not bocked enough to show on flouroscopy. All blockages, caroltid or cardiac don't show until they've reached 50%. You should be followed nonetheless, and control for any risk factors that would cause the remaining vessels to become blocked as well. I hope I've helped to reassure you, if you have any other questions regarding this issue feel free to email me at
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Some information on the subject:
https://patient.info/doctor/carotid-artery-stenosis
When mine was first mentioned during an examination I asked about stenting or surgery. The professor said 'I wouln't be first in the queue for that'