Anyone with some knowledge of heart disease - blocked arteries

[MNersanonymous]

My granny just had an angiogram and they found she had 3 arteries blocked - 2 100% blocked and 1 is 80% blocked.
She's viewed as too old for a heart bypass (at 87) so has been given some drugs to help as she'd been having oxygen desaturations to the brain.

The rest of the time she's actually pretty well (in fact can I boast on behalf of my superb, glam gran - she plays bridge, does loads of sudokus and crosswords and is very glam and looks much younger!)

So, does anyone know how much of a problem three blocked arteries is? I'm sure if she wanted a firmer idea of her prognosis she would have asked the docs so this is just for me to get a better idea.

anyone?

I only know what I know from having a mother with very bad heart failure following lots of different operations: 3 blocked arteries is pretty bad, tbh but at 87 and fit and relatively well I think you just have to be glad she's had a brilliant time up intil now . If she were younger they would perform a bypass but either they think the risk is too great or she could only have it done privately. Either way the surgery is quite significant. They may try angioplasty to open the blockages without a bypass but it sounds as though she is too blocked for that. If I were you I would just make sure that she has as much fun as possible for whatever time she has, and maximise the love around her. TBH my mum would deffo say that the cardiac drugs and the long term consequences of cardiac problems significantly outway the quality of life gained by prolonging the life of the patient with intervention and drugs. She would definately have preferred to get to where your granny has got without medical intervention. HTH

OK, this may sounds harsh so I apologise in advance.

The severity of heart disease sounds pretty bad. From what you describe, she is at high risk of a heart attack or stroke, particularly if the circulation to the brain is being affected. The problem is that noone can predict if or when an 'event' may happen in the future. Nothing other than surgery will be successful at undoing the blockages I'm afraid. Optimising her medical treatment to reduce her cholesterol, lower her blood pressure, keep her blood a bit thin and heart beating regularly give her the best chance of continuing her glamorous life for as long as possible.

Thank you - you didn't sound harsh - just honest which is far better than saying nice things that it will all be ok when clearly it won't.

I absolutely agree she is wonderful and has had a fab 87 years so we are all thankful for that and I think she realises that too and is just resigned to whatever happening.

It's frustrating being so far away and unable to visit often given I have no idea of what's around the corner.