To: FreeperinRATcage
collateral circulation!!!
That is the term he used. He said it had developed because the vessel was restricted for such a long time. He did say that there was some damage to the heart at that location, but termed it "minor".
To: Mr_Magoo
Good to hear its "minor"...minor meaning it won't afect your ejection fraction..basically a measure of how well your heart pumps blood (ask a cardiologist..I'm only a medic).
To EVERYONE: gone forever are the days when Doctors would let a heart attack "run its course" and provide supportive therapy and rehab only. Over the past 15-20 years drugs and procedures have developed that can STOP a heart attack and restore blood flow to the heart in a manner of minutes!
But TIME IS MUSCLE! If you have chest pain, call your local EMS or get to a ER FAST! EMS is your best bet...in some areas they can start the treatment right away...in all areas they can take steps to keep the heart pumping and minimize the damage.
And other news..the same treamenst are becoming available for strokes. Remember, that just as a heart attack is a blockage of an artery in the heart, a stroke is a blockage of an artery in the brain. Time is even MORE critical here, folks, and only a minority of hospitals yet have the protocols and procedures to use these new tecniques on a stroke patient. CALL EMS! They will know which hospitals in your area, if any, can reduce or eliminate the effects of a stroke. Call as soon as symptoms begin...blurry vision, weakness on one side, localized, severe headache, drooping of one side of the face, slurred speech, and others.
Get the information you need NOW to save yourself from permanent death or disabilaty. Talk to your doctor.
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