Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My dad has had tripple bypass surgery this summer. He does not have a history of stroke and infarction. He is a 54-year-old and has an asymptomatic carotid occlusion. How many years can he survive on an average?
Kindly help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Asymptomatic carotid occlusion as such does not affect survival. Survival depends on left ventricular function on 2D (two-dimensional) Echocardiography.
If his left ventricular function is normal, he may have normal survival. In case of a LV (left ventricular) dysfunction, survival reduces in direct proportion of reduced LV function. I feel sad to say that survival rate is 50 percent for five years.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you doctor for the reply. He has impaired relaxation. Can this affect his survival?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Impaired relaxation will not have much impact on survival.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you doctor for the reply. He has a normal left ventricular function. How many years can he survive on an average if he maintains a healthy lifestyle? I am asking because I do not understand the impact that the occluded artery has on him.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
As I have already mentioned, asymptomatic carotid occlusion does not impact survival. You can compare years of survival for him as per your national average.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply. But in the long-term, is he more likely to develop heart-related death? I read a lot of studies and it said three cardiac deaths per year. A doctor told me that it is impossible for him to live till the age of 80. He also said that he has a healthy heart with no stroke or myocardial infarction.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, he has a high risk of heart-related death. Carotid occlusion will not have much impact on survival. Survival depends on person's age, race, and ethnicity.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply. Is it possible for my father to live to the age of 80? I am worried because the other doctor told that he cannot.
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes it is possible, he will need to have an aggressive lifestyle modification, risk factor control, and regular medications.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply. I have read in the studies that carotid stenosis has bigger death rates compared with coronary stenosis. Is it true? Why is there a bigger death rate in carotid stenosis compared to coronary stenosis?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
It may be because of the following. The causes might be relatively asymptomatic nature of disease till presentation, nonavailability of good treatment options, as it is available for heart, like angioplasty or bypass surgery, time of disease presentation in the later stages of life, and extensive atherosclerosis in other vasculature.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply. Does that mean that the occlusion will not affect the survival?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
The patient has a carotid disease already, occlusion will not increase chances of mortality.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply. It is not stopping the blood flow, will it not affect even in the long-term? How do I know if he has extensive atherosclerosis or any other vascular disease. He has had symptoms for six years before the operation. At the operation, he had three blocked coronary arteries and a fully blocked widow maker artery.
Is it bad for long-term? I asked the doctor the same question which I asked you and he told me that he can live for 10 to 20 years but not for 30. I do not know the reason. He has a normal cholesterol level, perfect heart health except for the impaired relaxation, and does not have a history of smoking.
Kindly help.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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