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Heart disease is a common and serious disease in our lives, which quietly invades the health of many middle-aged and elderly people.
When the blood vessels in the heart become narrowed or blocked due to the accumulation of fat and cholesterol, doctors usually recommend a coronary stent to restore blood flow.
Although this surgery is widely considered medically effective for restoring blood supply to the heart, not every patient is satisfied after surgery. Today, we are going to talk about the true feelings and deep regrets of a patient after receiving stent surgery.
Pre-operative circumstances and decision-making process
The story of Mr. Zhang, a retiree in his sixties, began with a routine medical check-up. During that physical examination, doctors found that his electrocardiogram was abnormal, and further examination revealed significant narrowing of several of his coronary arteries.
Faced with such a diagnosis, Mr. Zhang was shocked and frightened. The doctor explained to him the severity of coronary artery disease and advised him to have stent surgery as soon as possible to prevent a possible heart attack.
During this decision-making process, Mr. Zhang felt very lost. His family and friends also disagreed, with some supporting the surgery as a life-saving measure, while others were concerned about the risks and complications of the procedure.
After weighing the pros and cons, Mr. Zhang decided to follow the doctor's advice and opt for surgery, hoping to return to his normal life through this intervention.
Problems that arise after surgery
The stent surgery did not bring Mr. Zhang the expected peace and security. Although the surgery itself was successful, the recovery process after the surgery was extremely difficult.
He had to take long-term anticoagulant medications to prevent the formation of blood clots, which made him constantly tired and sometimes accompanied by bleeding side effects.
To make matters worse, after the surgery he began to experience symptoms of angina, which he had never experienced before.
The psychological blow is also huge. Mr. Zhang had hoped that the surgery would completely solve his heart problems, but the reality was continuous hospital visits, constant medication adjustments, and persistent discomfort.
Feeling so frustrated and helpless that he began to question whether he had made the right decision.
Reasons for regret
With the passage of time, Mr. Zhang's quality of life has not been substantially improved because of the stent surgery, but has brought many new problems and concerns.
He regrets not having a deeper understanding of all the possible consequences of surgery and not taking into account lifestyle changes that may require reliance on long-term medication after surgery.
In the course of reflection, he realized that if he had explored and tried more non-surgical treatments, such as lifestyle modifications, nutrition improvements, or medications, his quality of life might have been better guaranteed.
Mr. Zhang's case is not an isolated case, and many heart patients may have similar feelings and regrets after receiving similar treatment.
This condition is often due to the patient's lack of understanding of the possible consequences before the surgery, or the hasty decision making on the recommendation of the doctor.
For patients who are faced with the choice of whether or not to undergo stent surgery, it is important to fully understand all of the treatment options and truly understand the changes and consequences that each option may bring.
Mr. Zhang's story reminds us that when faced with major medical decisions, patients should actively participate in the decision-making process, communicate with their doctors, and understand all possible treatment options and their long-term implications.
Psychological support should also be sought to help you better adjust to life changes after treatment.
Through Mr. Zhang's experience, we see the complexity of medical decision-making and its profound impact on the lives of individuals.
This is not only a reminder for patients, but also a reflection on the healthcare system: how to better care for patients' psychological and quality of life while ensuring treatment outcomes is a common challenge for both healthcare providers and patients.
An important part of Mr. Zhang's regret is that he did not fully explore and try non-surgical treatment options.
In fact, for many people with coronary artery disease, lifestyle changes and medications can be effective in managing the condition, and sometimes even avoiding surgery.
Lifestyle modifications include dietary management, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and alcohol intake control.
In terms of diet, the Mediterranean diet is recommended, which is rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and olive oil, which has been shown to have cardiovascular benefits.
Regular aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling, can improve heart function and blood circulation.
Quitting smoking is one of the most effective measures to reduce the risk of heart disease. Many chemicals in tobacco can damage the blood vessels in the heart and accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis.
In terms of drug treatment, commonly used drugs include statins, blood pressure drugs, antiplatelet drugs, and β-blockers.
Statins are effective in lowering blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. Antiplatelet drugs, on the other hand, help reduce the formation of blood clots and reduce the risk of heart attack.
Psychological and social support: improve the effectiveness of treatment
Mr. Zhang's psychological blow after surgery reflects the psychological distress that heart patients may face during the treatment process. Psychological and social support plays a crucial role in this process, significantly improving outcomes and quality of life.
Psychological support can be provided through professional counselling to help patients cope with anxiety, depression and fear caused by pain and treatment.
Participating in patient support groups and talking to others who are going through similar situations can also provide psychological comfort and practical coping strategies. Social support, on the other hand, involves the understanding and support of family, friends, and the work team, which are important resources to help patients better adapt to the disease and the treatment process.
Patient education and doctor-patient communication: the key
Patient education and effective doctor-patient communication are particularly important in the treatment decisions of patients dealing with heart disease. Patients should be fully informed about their disease status, treatment options, and their possible outcomes and risks.
Physicians should encourage patients to ask questions and provide detailed answers to help them understand complex medical information so they can make decisions that are tailored to their conditions and expectations.
In Mr. Zhang's case, if he had been able to obtain more comprehensive information about his disease and treatment before making a decision on whether or not to undergo surgery, he might have chosen a more suitable treatment path.
When communicating with patients, physicians should emphasize individual differences in treatment options, explain the pros and cons of each treatment, and recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the patient's specific health status.
Conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation
Ongoing health monitoring and assessment of the condition is essential for patients with heart disease, especially during non-surgical treatment. Regular physical examinations and heart function tests, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, etc., can help doctors understand the patient's heart condition in a timely manner and adjust the treatment plan in time.
Blood tests are also very important to monitor cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and other important indicators, which are all risk factors for heart disease. Based on the results of these monitoring, your doctor may adjust your medication regimen or recommend further lifestyle changes.
The management of heart disease is a multifaceted process that involves lifestyle modifications, medications, psychological and social support, patient education, ongoing health monitoring, and the use of modern technology.
In this process, the communication between doctors and patients is very crucial, which affects not only the choice of treatment, but also the effectiveness of treatment and the quality of life of patients.
We should make efforts in these areas to provide a more comprehensive and personalized treatment plan for patients with heart disease.
At the end of the day, what experiences and opinions do you want to share?