anyone had heart problems due to radiation?
 

Hello,
I'm looking for people who might have had artery blockage caused by radiation to their chest. I'd like to know what you did and how it worked.
I had severe chest pains which turned out to be a blockage in my right artery (I received heavy radiation in this area due to invasive bc) and they want to do an angioplasty and put in a stent. I'm now reading lots of articles (some from 2007) but one in yesterday's New York Times science area that angioplasty and stents are over used and medicines are just as good. However most heart patients (I believe) have high cholesterol maybe smoke and don't exercise and may be overweight, none of this is my case so......are the drugs just beneficial to those people?
I'm now concerned about having this procedure although it's seems very common and no big deal but....
I confused and I certainly don't know diddly squat about heart issues.
Merci
Sarah
ps the radiation also gave me a fibroid in my lung! still so far they aren't finding cancer so that's very nice!

Re: anyone had heart problems due to radiation?
 

A very good customer of mine just had double bypass. She was very lucky. The blockages were definitely caused by left side radiation from bc 11 years ago. She is in perfect shape otherwise. For her, it was the "widow" maker artery. She had had a colonostemy and the doctor said she should get her heart checked out as there were a couple of odd readings while she was under. She had to have the surgery and as an emergency too.

Re: anyone had heart problems due to radiation?
 

Hi. I am not experienced in this issue. Hopefully, some members will pitch in with their experiences and/or the names of some of the top oncology radiologists they are aware of and some contact information for you.
karen z

Re: anyone had heart problems due to radiation?
 

Thanks for this info. Rhonda, a member kindly sent me some links and I've found it's more common than I would have ever thought. I actually had no idea this was an issue.
Thanks
sarah