Matters of the Heart

Coronary Angioplasy - One way to unblock (open up the lumen) of a coronary artery (or other blood vessel) is angioplasty, or Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA). A wire is passed from the femoral artery in the leg up to the diseased coronary artery, to beyond the area of the coronary artery that is being worked upon. Over this wire, a balloon catheter is passed into the segment that is to be opened up. The end of the catheter contains a small folded balloon. When the balloon is hydraulically inflated, it compresses the atheromatous plaque and streches the artery wall to expand. At the same time, if an expandable wire mesh tube (stent) was on the balloon, then the stent will be implanted (left behind) to support the new stretched open position of the artery from the inside.

All this happens in an artery. The wonders of modern medicine.
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2 days ago my Dad had pains in his chest and had problems breathing. The next day he went for his third angioplasty. For those that don't know, this is a procedure to unclog a blocked artery. It is a step before having to undergo a heart bypass operation.

My Dad is one of those that takes work very seriously. When he works, he really works. I guess that is why he is what he is today. He has had 2 heart attacks, one of these in the back on a Minister's car. I guess trying to be successful has its price.

This is the total opposite of me. I take things easy. I don't panic, don't stress out and don't get bothered by 'little things'. I believe life is not all about work but play too. Maybe this is why we never got along. Only recently, since I got married and had a baby have we been on better terms. I actually went to the hospital this time. The other 2 times I didn't. Maybe I wasn't around, I don't remember.

I just hope that since I don't easily get stressed I don't have to go through similar medical procedures. I guess the ciggarette I'm about to have doesn't really help. But hey, I'll stop eventually.

p/s: Dad, get well soon.