Which option would you choose?
By GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23670)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
February 22, 2016 8:41am CST
In September I learned that my carotid artery is blocked--that artery is in the neck and allows passage of blood to the brain--I had 3 choices:
1) Carotid endarterectomy which is an operation to peel away the plaque with a scalpel--surgical dangers are stroke, bleeding, infection and a slight possibility of death.
2) Angioplasty where a soft narrow tube is inserted into the groin and removes the plaque through the tube and a stent is inserted--the dangers are the same as above but recovery is faster
3) Do nothing and have a high risk of a stroke.
And what option would YOU choose????
12 people like this
14 responses
@marlina (154103)
• Canada
22 Feb 16
A while back I had a valve that only functioned at 25%. The cardiologist tried to do a Angioplasty. Unfortunately, it wasn't successful.
I ended up with having an Open Heart Surgery. It was that or be gone in less than 2 years.
I am still here!
Good luck making your decision.
5 people like this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
23 Feb 16
I had an aorta valve replaced 8 years ago and all is fine. See my comment to @judyev
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
22 Feb 16
Angioplasty, I think it is the easiest and it certainly is done often enough to lower the risk somewhat.
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
23 Feb 16
I took the second and had it done in October--except for a ugly scar--which is mostly healed now--everything went and is smoothly!
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
23 Feb 16
@GreatMartin Good to know and glad all went well.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189986)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Feb 16
I would go for option 2. Hope it goes well for you.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
22 Feb 16
@GreatMartin There are some situations where the decision has to be made by the patient himself.So I think you will have to decide what is to be done.I do hope,you will be okay.By the way the photo is beautiful.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
23 Feb 16
I made the decision in October--had #2 surgery done and all is well!
The flower is a hibiscus and we have many difefernt bushes of all colors that bloom all year round!
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
23 Feb 16
@GreatMartin Good to see that the surgery went well.I like Hibiscus flowers.When I was a kid we had many hibiscus bushes in our court yard.
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
22 Feb 16
Isn't there a med you can take that will break up the plaque @GreatMartin ? There has got to be a simpler solution.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20363)
• Fairfield, Texas
23 Feb 16
@GreatMartin Well damn! I hate getting older and falling apart.
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
23 Feb 16
I choose one---had an ugly scar--was going to show a photo of it but changed my mind. Had the operation in October and all is fine.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Feb 16
@GreatMartin I didn't realise it was in the past. I'm glad it all turned all right.
@Blondie2222 (28610)
• United States
24 Feb 16
I would choose option 2 but either way i hope all goes well.
@mammots (3209)
• Philippines
23 Feb 16
An angioplasty i think is a better choice.The patient would feel instant relief after the procedure. I have researched how the procedure is done when a friend was considering having an angioplasty. It would cost about a million pesos to have the procedure done here in my country. Its way beyond her budget so she declined to have it.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
24 Feb 16
My operation was covered by my insurance so that wasn't a problem--and as it turned out neither was the operation!
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (141905)
• Philippines
22 Feb 16
The best choice is to ask the attending physician about it. Both options are really risky. It is considered a walking time bomb situation. Once the thrombi dislodged from the arteries, it is not 100% guaranteed that there will be no secondary complications.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
23 Feb 16
Any operation is risky!! I have gone through congestive heart failure, a aorta valve replacement, cataract surgery, stents put in my legs, etc. No problems with any of them--did #2 in October and here I am 4 months later and all is well.
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
23 Feb 16
Did #2 in October and everything is fine now!
@RasmaSandra (98106)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Feb 16
@GreatMartin you are talking to a panic attack survivor who wound up with the attacks when faced with stress and then the simplest of operations. Well prayer comes first. Then looking deep withing yourself. I don't think doing nothing is an option. Like walking around like a time bomb. I would suggest getting all the information you can on Angioplasty. Start here Finally look deep within yourself. I will put in my prayers and best wishes.
www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/treatment-angioplasty-stents
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
23 Feb 16
I made my decision and I was very pleased with it. I always look at everything from every angle before I decide what to do.
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
28 Feb 16
scary options. i'd probably go through the angioplasty? i don't know. hope you are well
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
12 May 16
I thought it was #2 but turned out to be #1!! 
1 person likes this
