Peripheral Vascular Diseases!?

On Oct. 4, 2006 I underwent CABG x5 bypasses. My concern is that I may have widespread atherosclerosis. For 5-8 years I have had some symptoms of PAD in my lower extremities. Including Intermitant Claudication and ED. I wonder if it may be affecting my vital organs as well. I also am concerned about Carotid Artery Disease. Are these concerns real or unnecessary? I plan to see my PCP but wanted an openion from someone in the health sciences especially with regard to vascular science. Am I too concerned? Not enough?

I also have COPD (Emphysema), Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sleep Apnea, Hypertension and Bipolar Disorder.

I currently take 325mg Aspirin, 500mg Nician, 10/80mg Vytorin and 160mg Triglide to help with the cholesterol. I also take 50mg Toprol-XL for the hypertension.

You may very well have widespread blockage, but it apparently isn't severe, or your doctors would have brought it to your attention, prior to the bypass. My mom recently was showing signs of poor circulation, her little toe was turning black and was very painful. She had the angioplasty with a stent. Her blockage was in the groin area, where the arteries split into the legs. Your blockage was in the aorta, coming from the heart down across the abdomen. With your other health problems, you certainly suffer with poor circulation, and lack of oxygen in the blood. You should be concerned with your health, but my feeling is this, you made it throught a serious bypass surgery, so your health is actually pretty good overall. Vascular surgeons are very well educated, I feel your doctor is your best advice giver. Be sure to bring your concerns to the table when you see the doc. Make a list if necessary, but make sure you understand what is being said, ask more questions if you don't. If you smoke, you must stop. My mom refuses to, and her health is deteriorating because of this. She simply doesn't believe that cigarettes can cause her severe health problems, she always blames something else. Good luck to you, keep your appt.

As you have both coronary atherosclerosis and signs of atherosclerosis in your legs, then yes it is widespread. The organ that could be effected by this is the brain. There is a risk of stroke but you can decrease the risk by quit smoking (if you haven't already), eat low-fat and low-cholesterol and take the medication that your doctor has prescribed (I'm guessing you're on statin, antihypertensives and maybe aspirin?) If they didn't check your blood glucose back in 2006, I'd recommend that. It's good to be aware of the risk and what you can do about it yourself but there's no need to worry yourself unnecessarily.

From what I read, it is believed that peripheral artery disease can be treated and should be because the vital organs can be affected too. Good luck.

You are right to be concerned. While ED is not curable, it is treatable. For the PVD, see a board certified vascular surgeon, the experts in PVD.