OT: ARGH!!! I need to vent!

History: I'm 52, I feel GREAT, have no chest pains, no shortness of breath, eat very healthy, exercise daily, my cholesterol is 168 (LDL=99 HDL=61). I've lost 155 lbs (with healthy eating and exercise) and have a normal BMI.   I recently moved and went to a new PCP...he heard a murmur (which I've had for years) and suggested doing an electrocardiogram. Based on questionable results he suggested a stress test.....he did a nuclear stress test and again had suspicious results.   I went to a cardiologist who looked at the results and listened to my health history. Based on my history he felt the results of the other test might be an "artifact or shadow". BUT, he did say we should do a CT Angio or Cardiac Cath to be sure. Since the cardiac cath is covered by insurance and the best way to get definitive results I had the cath done 4 days ago. The surgeon said things looked good, nothing to worry about there was a "minor irregularity with 30-40% blockage" in an artery. He said I should continue with my healthy eating to try and push the cholesterol down and add 1 baby aspirin daily. He said I can go back to my normal life and exercise routine (after resting for 5 days). I left the hospital feeling GREAT, like a major weight and worry had been lifted from me....my understanding from what the cardiologist said and showed me was that I had nothing serious looming over me that I need to worry about.

I just saw my new PCP for a follow up visit. I went in all smiles and happy...........He told me I'm wrong and that I have plenty of reason to be concerned...he said that a 30-40% blockage is "significant" and that statistically the majority of heart-attacks happen to people who are in the 30-40% range.  I should have asked him to show me his data.......I did statistical analysis for a living at my last job.  I'm trying not to worry and get overly stressed. The funny thing is when I asked him what I can do to reduce the current blockage and ensure it doe not get worse he said there are 3 things.....#1 take really good vitamins.  I asked if he recommended a particular vitamin, he lifted the bottle on his desk....I asked why he recommends that one......he said because he created it......yep he's peddling his own brand of vitamins.  #2 eat plenty of raw fruit and veg  #3 remove/reduce the stress in my life.  Since he said I need to reduce the stress in my life I'm thinking I need to find another Dr because since I went to him he has caused me much stress and today he just added a ton of stress... (Matthew things he is a quack!)

So now do I worry, do I call the cardiologist to find out why I'm getting two different stories or do I listen to my gut and trust the cardiologist, and find a new PCP............ARGH!!!!!!!!

I'm going to sip on some tea and relax and get back to the happy place I was in before going to this doctor. 

Thanks for letting me vent, I feel a little better.
Ruth

Hi Ruth, I would find a new PCP!!! Anyone that tries to scare you & then peddle a miracle cure sounds like a quack! For your own peace of mind, get a second opinion from a new PCP & take the cardioligist report with you.
Nan

I've already started looking for a new PCP.  I called my new GYN (I really like her) and asked for some PCP references.

Don't even bother phoning your cardiologist.  FInd a new PCP - the one you have is a head-case. 

The first time I met him I thought he was a bit odd and maybe overly cautious; but I also thought hey if he really thinks there might be a heart issue I'd better have it checked.......now I think he's more kook than anything else....

I also discovered that a big part of his business is selling treatments touted as a "miracle cure" for heart problems called chelation therapy. But the American Heart Association does not approve of this treatment.

I'm thinking maybe this was his way of hoping he'd get me hooked on a 6 month regimen to correct any heart problems or blockages........ I guess he was hearing the cash register ring.

Time for me to move on......

Hi Ruth,
As soon as I heard "chelation therapy" I said out loud "oh NO- move on quickly!" - that is a BIG money maker for doctors that know how desperate parents of kids with autism are to heal their children. It doesn't work and I think it's cruel and possibly harmful to the child. The vitamin thing was a big tip-off too. I think that for my own peace of mind I would get a second opinion on the test results from another cardiologist (because that PCP has brought some doubt into your mind- thank you very much!).
Julia

Hi Julia,
I really didn't know anything about chelation therapy until I saw all the signs in this guys office.  He has a bunch of chairs set up in one room and now I know that this is where the patients go for their intravenous vitamin treatments and the chelation therapy.  I should have listened to my gut.  Even Matthew said today.....why didn't I just find another Dr after the first visit when I came home and said I wasn't impressed with this guy.  I guess just the "fear" that came from being told he thought there could be a heart problem took over and I just wanted to find out for sure..... I've said it before but this time I really mean it, I will always listen to my gut for now on!!!!!

I'm feeling pretty comfortable with the cardiologist but definitely will be going to another PCP.  I will take all the records with me.  I kind of feel now like this guy put me through a lot of unnecessary stress, worry, grief and not to mention the financial impact (I'm unemployed so I'm not looking for unnecessary testing right now).

Thanks for the great input!!!!

Ruth

i agree- find a new pcp

best to you on this!

i tend to think 30-40 % --um that's almost half--is serious but i think your cardiologist should know better than that quackola pcp....

I just picked up a copy of the actual report from the cardiologist.

It clearly says "minimal irregularity in the left anterior.........mild disease of about 30-40% of the second diagonal" (not sure what the second diagonal is).  "The rest of the coronaries appear to be free of any significant obstructive disease."

His recommendation says "in view of the above findings I believe her stress test was a false positive" ....  'Would continue mostly toward modification of lifestyle to lower cholesterol level'

Sooooooo I'm not too worried but I sure will check it out with another PCP and will discuss with the cardiologist when I have my follow-up visit next month.

i know this whole thing is quite stressful to you- has had you frightened- and slowed you down considerably--however--i think it could also be a good thing cuz it alerts you to the fact that you have this 30-40% issue and you know you are taking good care of yourself --now you know you just have to continue staying on top of it all...not sure if that made any sense?

we have to be so proactive about our health..and you are doing that by getting the reports and asking questions...how soon can you get back in the pool to relax??? you have done a tremendous job taking care of your bod by losing your weight and it has paid off! your 30-40% could have been alot worse!!!!!

big hugs