Living with 90% Block - a Doctor Tells His Story

Trust me, it's not easy getting up each day with the sword of Damocles hanging over your head. It's tough living every moment with the knowledge that you can die any time. It's impossible not to feel a little of anger, a bit of resentment and an iota of remorse. Frankly, it won't be human.

Each small niggle, each little twitch in the chest is a grim reminder that I have a 90% block in the first diagonal branch of the most important artery of my heart, i.e. the L.A.D. or the Left Anterior Descending artery. The plaque producing the block overrides the L.A.D. creating a 30% block in it. The location of the block is such that a stent (a medicated wire spring quite similar to those used in ball pens) cannot be placed inside the artery to augment its blood flow. This common procedure is known as Angioplasty. Moreover, no CTVS (Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgeon) would recommend open-heart bypass surgery in my case, because the three major blood vessels are more or less normal.

That more or less sums up my situation - Living With 90% Block. Believe me, I am attempting it to the fullest of my capabilities. Being doctor does help. In fact, a lot! Understanding the underlying pathology, anticipating the probable complications and accomplishing the therapeutic goals is much more easy when you are a doctor yourself. The flip side is that you know the unsettling facts and prognosis, which can be a bit demoralizing.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is not just prevalent, but rampant in most societies. The worst part is that it's killing or crippling young people. Thus, crucial years of productivity and enormous amount of positive energy are lost.

Why is this book special? Because a doctor-patient writes it who cannot just sympathize, but also empathize with cardiac patients. It is my earnest endeavor to put things in a layman's language and perspective.