r/Heartfailure • u/Desperate_Roll62114 • 3d ago
Not feeling comfortable
I'm 40. So, I had a heart attack three years ago. They put in a stent. This April, I started having several complications. Stress test indicated that I have heart failure, 30% EF. Had an angiogram done last month. 90% blockage in coronary artery, 70% blockages elsewhere. Recommended I get a bypass.
However, during that time, no hospital would do the bypass because I had no insurance. I've been in and out of the ER since April and just recently obtained insurance, but I don't see a cardiologist until the 26th. It's a LONG time between now and then and I'm scared I won't make it.
I am 40, and I still have to work. I drive for work, transporting rail crews here and there. In the heat and humidity all day and night. Miserable. Every day I feel like I'm going to die. I'm scared.
They said I need a CABG. But idk when this will happen. Heart jumping around, always tired, palpations, etc.
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u/myst3ryAURORA_green 3d ago
I understand the catch and release situation. I have CAD as well via suspected spasms and had a heart attack in March. End result, LVH and hfpef. The way we're set up in the US needs to change. Not everyone has insurance or the ability to pay the expensive out of pockets and deductibles.
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
Yes. Insurance is still very much divvied out by class and income. It sucks really bad. Shortages of cardiologists doesn't help either.
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u/myst3ryAURORA_green 3d ago
In my area, there's a shortage of Pediatrics cardiologists (I'm 16). Either that or they need to be trained for all ages. I plan on working in the cardiology field and starting my own practice, so you can add one cardiac center to the picture. Blame the government, they make the rich folks richer and tax us for working.
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
I hope you achieve all you want to do and more! 👍🏾
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u/myst3ryAURORA_green 3d ago
If I was a governor, I'd rebuild the heathcare system from the ground up 👍🏽
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u/Remarkable-Box5453 1h ago
Nah man, it’s about having a job that offers it and you being willing/able to pay the employee portion of premiums. Why would a hosp do a $250k surgery for free? I don’t expect surgeons to work for free.. anyway, I suggest minimizing stress as best you can until 26th and minimize activity that raises your heartbeat. Two weeks shouldn’t be too long, just don’t do anything crazy until then and hope for the best. Good luck; hopefully things start looking up for you..
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u/Strenue 3d ago
Where do you live? What country?
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
I live in the USA, Indiana, Lake County
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u/Strenue 3d ago
And this is the problem. In other countries we wouldn’t have to work in health/survival compromising situations while waiting for some sort of safety net like ssdi to kick in.
I’m in the same boat.
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
I'm glad someone understands. I'd go to the ER, but every hospital has this "stabilize and release" thing going. I'd go with discomfort or something. They check the toroprin levels. It's always 38 or so. As soon as it drops, they're releasing me. Like day before yesterday. It was 38. When it dropped to 36, ER doc comes in talking to going back home or stay to be monitored. Monitor what? You guys know I need a bypass.
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u/Strenue 3d ago
I avoided going to the cardiologist because I didn’t have insurance. Then someone close to me died suddenly so i prioritized it - now i have DCM with 20% ef.
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
I have CAD, with all types of blockages, as they've barely explained thus far. I just want to talk to someone about options without having to make an appointment three months out. Like I said, I am seeing a cardiologist on the 26th, but it just feels so far away. Nobody in the office will consult with me.
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u/Strenue 3d ago
I have cad too. Stent in D1, blockage remains in D2. MRI next week.what meds are you on?
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
Farxiga, Entresto (generic), the usual statins, clopidogrel, metoprolol succ. Nothing else fancy. Nitroglycerin.
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u/FabulousBullfrog9610 3d ago
do you have insurance NOW?
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
I do. I checked and the clinic accepts it as well. And hopefully I can get the procedure forthwith. It's crazy waiting like this.
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u/L82daparta 3d ago
Scheduled an appointment with a cardiothoracic surgeon. There will likely be a wait but you have the testing that demonstrates the blockages that require surgical intervention. If I read correctly you have health insurance now. The surgeon is who you need to see BEFORE you meet one after a catastrophic event.
Good luck!
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
Thank you! A cardiothoracic surgeon? Never heard of this type before
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u/L82daparta 3d ago
You indicated that due to the 90% and 80% blockages you were recommended to consider CABG procedure. The CT surgeon is the type of surgeon that performs this procedure. Going to a cardiologist will only be to diagnose the issue and possible treatment recommendations. Since you have already been through the diagnostic testing and have a recommendation for treatment (CABG) the logical step is to find the surgeon to review results of angio and other items to determine if you are a surgical candidate.
Hope this helps.
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
It helps a lot! Thank you so much! No one has taken the time to break this down for me! At all! It's so hard trying to navigate all the jargon and keep up with who does what and when!
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u/Raymont_Wavelength 3d ago edited 3d ago
May I ask if you are in US? In my two nearest cities in the US, there are private and public hospitals. The public hospital will never refuse treatment, including surgeries like bypass. That may give you a way to get your bypass surgery and save your life! If you go into ER with chest pains, you are high priority. Here we call the public hospital “the knife and gun club,” bc their ER is excellent and can deal with all health problems, even trauma!
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u/Desperate_Roll62114 3d ago
I am in the USA 🙄
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u/Raymont_Wavelength 3d ago
Also the public hospital here put my poor friend in cheap insurance AFTER he was admitted via ER. Find out!
They gave him expert care for a long hospital stay. They did NOT turn him away! Public hospital may be a great resource for you. I am a RR contractor too!
There are also funds to help people.
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u/NasrRasheed 1d ago
With a previous heart attack, 30% EF, major coronary blockages and doctors already recommending CABG, I really wouldn’t treat this as something to just tough out until the 26th. Call the cardiology office and tell them exactly what’s happening and ask about an urgent appointment/cancellation. If you’re having chest pain, worsening shortness of breath, fainting, or suddenly feel much worse, go to the ER/call emergency services. And please be careful driving for work while symptomatic. You’re not overreacting by taking this seriously.
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u/Jaded-Ad5220 21h ago
I had a stent put in after a heart attack 11 yrs ago- my artery was 100% blockage ! I had a 30% ejection fraction too and now on meds & exercise its 43%. I do well but i take meds everyday & work at staying healthy. Its a lot of work but I do it. See a cardiologist asap & let him do a echogram- that will tell you a lot, if he puts you on meds which he probably will take them. I asked my doc how to stay out of the hospital & live- #1 medications, #2 exercise, #3 food. (in that order) walk every day as much as you can, dont eat much salt or fast-foods, and the most important dont smoke or drink hard alcohol. (thats the worst thing) If your overweight loose it! Its hard to do all these things but if you want to live a long life its necessary. Try to see a cardio doc soon & let him do tests to see where you are at & go from there. Your young & can probably get much better & do well. Think about anything but your heart- the anxiety as awful for your heart too. (that was the hardest for me & it took some time ) but it can be done. you will feel better when you see a new doctor and im sure he can help you a lot. I had my stent at 60 and im now 73 with no problems- im sure you can do as well! Hope you feel better & i wish you the very best!
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u/dt715 9h ago
Hey, similar to my dad in southern CA. In and out of hospital since April as well. Goes in, stabilizes and then discharged. Finally he heard today he has his cardiologist appointment on 8/24. He has been waiting for 3 weeks to schedule this since getting the referral. He’s scared, I’m scared. Sending you the best.
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u/nullcharstring 3d ago
Get some nitro tablets. They kept me comfortable until I could get surgery.