Cardiac pains Prince Phillip

[modeller]

I had a triple by-pass about 7 years ago but leading up to it I had 18 months of tests including a two heart attack and 5 stays in hospital during all this time they couldn't find any blockages until the last two weeks when they injected dye into the heart by which time three of the vessels were found to be blocked and within days I was admitted as an emergency with only hours to live.

My question is how were they able to find the blockage within hours in Prince Phippes heart and insert a stent which is a minor procedure only requiring a local anesthetic and he should be back home within a couple of days .
The same thing happened to Tony Blair virtually done overnight. There has been similar reports about other celebrities, who have been diagnosed and had stents fitted overnight.
I don't believe its just a question of power, influence and money although that undoubtably helps. I'm just puzzled how they can find a blockage within hours in some people but not in others who have a far more acute condition, requiring major open heart surgery and months of rehabitation.

[daffy654]

Doe is possibly have something to do with where they are treated? Papworth being a major cardiothoracic centre perhaps they have better imaging equipment.

[DTCwordfan]

R4 was reporting that he may have had a minor heart attack.......explains why in part - they nailed my ex-father in law in a test pre an operation and had him treated inside 24 hours...

[patsyann]

Here in Hampshire at our wonderful North Hants Hospital cardiac unit it is done as soon as you arrive and are assessed. No priorities all patients treated the same.

[wolf63]

The people that have had a quick diagnosis may have been having regular MOTs so it is possible that something may have been detected at an earlier date that has helped them with their quick diagnosis.

[bednobs]

tony blair had fibrilation which is totally different

[bednobs]

it only need shocking back into a normal rhythym

[modeller]

What I find puzzling is that there are, I think five major blood vessels which could block and yet it would appear that they were able immediately insert the stent in the correct one so quickly. Whereas I had scan after scan , radiation tracking and they still didn't know which or how many were blocked. It was only when the pumped the dye into the heart that it showed up and even then I was told " We don't know how many are involved and to what extent ". " All we can say you shouldn't really go home. but we haven't a slot at the moment ."
They were right in under two weeks I was taken 25 miles with all the bells and whistles to Brompton and operated on within a few hours .
They were marvellous in their treatment but I have often wondered if they had been able to act sooner if the heart attacks could have been avoided.

[rsvp]

ever case is different just as every hospital is different - it would be a good comparison if you had gone to the same hosptial as PP.

[Sqad]

Modeller....different diagnosis I would guess.
You had unstable angina and Prince Philip had a coronary thrombosis..........two entirely different things which have to be differentiated by the medics.

[DTCwordfan]

Hey Sqad you are alive and with us.....welcome back and Happy Christmas. So how did things go on your end - still in hospital or are you back home?

[Sqad]

DT yelp, still on hospital........not good mews as they could only bypass one of the three blocked arteries....won' t bore you with the details?

Happy Xmas mate.

[Postdog]

I'm in again at the end of the next month squad - not looking forward to it as they are doing (I assume) the conventional op this time. hope you get out soon.

[Sqad]

Ppstdpg?..yeah hospital is the pitts eh...good luck.

[DTCwordfan]

I sympathise with both of you. I like to try and avoid the places/ When will they have you out, Sqad.....

[modeller]

When you go home depends in part on whether there is someone at home who can care for you. When I had my triple by-pass they would have sent me home after a week or 10 days but because I live alone they transferred me to my local hospital for about another fortnight and then only after they had inspected my house to see if I could get upstairs . They decided I couldn't and so they fitted another banister and grab rails . Best of luck and a long future.

[Sqad]

Modeller...thanks.

[boxtops]

Modeller, in the last 7 years, diagnostics have improved in leaps and bounds and PP will have had the latest technology applied to his diagnosis and prognosis, I am sure. The best physicians and surgeons are on hand, and Papworth is the leading hospital for cardiology. It's not always a question of going private, although it can certainly make a difference - but he was lucky that THE major heart hospital was relatively close to hand. IMO.

[cathfromsaron]

we may not know that he has been under the consultant for a while? x