Surviving heart attacks: The Magic of Cardiac Collateralization

York Cardiology
York Cardiology
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Published 2023-05-01
It is logical to say that the single most important factor in terms of prognosis from a heart attack is the size of the affected territory. The larger the territory that dies, the weaker the heart gets. The consequences of death of a large territory include death as a consequence of the heart attack or If the patient is lucky enough to survive the heart attack, a severely weakened heart and a lugubrious overall prognosis.

If areas within the heart were to receive blood from multiple arteries and therefore not dependant on a single blood artery then even if one vessel blocked off, the amount of damage would be minimised because cells within that territory would continue to receive blood from the other artery. Reassuringly, we now know that the coronary arteries are not isolated end vessels. They give off multiple smaller branches which in turn give off very tiny branches which connect to very tiny branches of the other coronary arteries so it is possible for the blood to get to areas of the heart supplied by an occluded vessel through the branches of another non occluded vessel. This is known as the coronary collateral circulation.
All Comments (21)
  • @dsears1973
    The same situation happened with me. I had a 100% blocked LAD. And it was found by accident. I went to my doctor to get medicine for my allergies and he did an EKG because I had not had one in a long time. My EKG was abnormal. He was concerned so sent me to a cardiologist. The cardiologist put me through a battery of different exams and tests to include a cardiac Cath and a stress test. That’s when they found the blockage, but because my body created collateral arteries around the blockage to feed the area of the heart that needed it I had no symptoms, and no damage to my heart muscle. I definitely got lucky. I’m now on the proper medication, controlling my cholesterol I had a stent placed two years later my cholesterol is looking great and I am healthy. My doctor told me one of the things that saved my life was my level of fitness, I run 4 to 5 days a week and I work out with weights five days a week he said my body created a need for more blood flow to my heart and a creative these other accessory arteries
  • @jeanghazal1039
    You end the video with a thank you to us all ! It’s actually us who must thank you for your selfless giving in this way which helps and blesses everyone🙏🥰
  • @kathykaybaconcarlson1476
    Genius how you explain the complexity of the Heart in ways we can relate with an analogy. Gives understanding. And allays Fears. Thank you 😊 for your humble kindness.
  • @williamtyndale1402
    If only all cardiologists took the time to explain to patients what is happening it would not only educate patients but also relieve stress and provide HOPE
  • @michaelwilliams4677
    Similar to others' stories, I began hiking on a regular basis 10 years ago and have never had any angina. In 2020 I had an ultrasound which showed an aortic aneurysm so I was referred for a catscan, which showed that I have 3-vessel coronary artery disease with an Agatston.score of 352 in the proximal LAD alone and an overall calcium score of 754. Given my ability to pass a stress echo test and go on difficult hikes with no chest pain or shortness of breath, my cardiologist and two interventional cardiologists agreed that I didn't need CABG or PCI and didn't even need an angiogram. Keep moving!
  • @ChaitraSureshRao
    Understood better/more than my college 3hr lecture! You are an excellent teacher Dr Gupta, thank you for your service🙏🏻
  • @albertlevert2988
    Thank you for this great message. I had a heart attack two years ago when I was 69. My LAD was completely blocked. I was lucky to be flown in a helicopter to the nearest hospital. Three stents were introduced. After three days in hospital my LV election fraction was 45%. I started a heart rehabilitation program, educating me to do the appropriate exercise. I do now 50 minutes of cardio training every day (HR at 110-115). After a year my LV ejection fraction was back up to 55-60. I know that I’ve been extremely lucky. It was mysterious how I could have so little damage to my heart after such a significant blockage. I understand now that I had perhaps some secondary circulation in place, and it was further developed by the regular exercise I’ve been doing since the heart attack. Your explanations are always the best I find on YouTube.
  • @cookinfat
    This was my situation, went in with a STEMI in the LAD but they also found a CTO in the Lcx that was mitigated by collateral vessels. Very informative channel, thanks for doing it and all your other good work.
  • @gimbalair
    Your sir an awful lot to reassure anxious cardiophobia patients like me.
  • @SandiRose2008
    Thank you, Dr. Gupta, for 'drawing us a picture'! It helps me to understand so much more easily when I can picture it in my mind.
  • @jcnlaw
    Thank you for all of your great work!
  • @anibabikian
    Amazing presentation!  We are the ones who are immensely grateful and beyond blessed to have you. Thank you!!!
  • @lk-ky3rw
    I appreciate your kind, human demeanour and outlook on life, as well as the amazing video content, thank you !
  • @hemantbhardya4926
    Dear Doc your post are very informative and I am thankful to you from the core of my heart. You are doing a great service to the humanity 🙏
  • @carol137
    Thank you Dr Gupta amazing video. You are truly looking out for us.
  • @darthlaurel
    Really appreciate your clear, concise explanations.