Bro, first off everyone who plays this game knows the risks associated with it. No body is immune to it, even though alot of times we think we are or we tend to ignore the warning signs. It just as easily could have happened to anyone on this board. I am sorry to hear about your condition, but it is time to start thinking about your future and put all blame behind you. No one will ever know the exact cause for your condition, and who is to say any single reason is the culprit? It may very well have been a combination of things that contributed to it. But one of the main causes of artery occlusions are related to Coronary Artery Disease which is due to the accumulation of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, causing blockage of the arteries and subsequent reduction in blood flow, O2, and nutrients to the cardiac tissue. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of CAD, and again is the build up of fats, cholesterol and other inflammatory mediators ultimately termed plaques. ( I am sure since you have experienced this, you know all of this already. But I thought I might add it for those interested). Anyways the process of atherosclerosis begins very early in life, even as early as childhood. The risk of developing atherosclerosis is increased in persons with modifiable risk factors (those you can change) and non-modifiable risk factors (those you can't change). The risk of CAD can be reduced by improving the modifiable risk factors. Like I mentioned, there are two types of risk factors: 1) non-modifiable risk factors for heart disease (the ones you can't change) and consist of age, sex, race, family history (including genetic predisposition), and personal history (previous cardiac episodes). 2) modifiable risk factors (the ones you can change) and consist of major risk factors: smoking, HTN, dyslipidemia, physical inactivity, and obesity. Major risk factors are those which by themselves increase your chance for developing heart disease. Secondary risk factors also increase your chance of heart disease and include stress, diabetes, and Etoh abuse.
So while there are things in the development of CAD which we cannot control, there ARE certain things we can do to decrease our risk of developing it as well.
Your goals should now be focused on adjusting to your current condition (adapting a favorable lifestyle), decreasing your risks of CAD, and probably most importantly (at least now, short term speaking, and long term) the prevention of restenosis. Restenosis is the re-narrowing of the coronary artery and the formation of new blockage at the site of angioplasty/stent placement. The first 3-6 months after the procedure is the most crucial. It is estimated that during this time, the incidence of restenosis with angioplasty alone is 40-50 %, but is reduced to 20-30 % with the use of a stent.
Since stent implantation requires angioplasty to put the stent in place, this causes trauma to the tissue/vessel.
There are two major mechanisms for restenosis. The first is thrombosis, or blood clot formation at site of placement. This risk is greatest right after the procedure because it immediately triggers the clotting cascade. This is why the use of anticoag/antiplatelet meds are crucial during this time and after the procedure as well. The second mechanism is actual tissue growth where the stent was placed. This is caused by proliferation of the endothelial cells which line the blood vessels, and is a normal response in which the body tries to heal and regenerate the damaged tissue. But may be somewhat hindered by placement of the foreign stent. The time frame for this is ~ 3-6 months after the procedure. But this mechanism is not preventable by anticoag meds (obviously). Recurrent atherosclerosis (the cause of stent placement in the first place), is of course a major concern because it can also lead to restenosis of the treated artery. But this may be of little concern during the first 6 months after stenting.
So the most immediate threat of restenosis after stent placement is thrombosis. This is where the use of the anti-platelet meds termed glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (Abciximab, Eptifibatide) come into play. These drugs have been clinically proven to reduce restenosis by taking care of the 1st mechanism I mentioned of thrombosis. IMO, these drugs may seem to be the best choice and they work extremely well, but are not without sides, and can be very costly. There are, however, good alternatives. The next mechanism to worry about is the actual tissue re-growth. You have partly solved this problem by the use of a stent, as opposed to angioplasty alone. But, like I said above, the incidence of restenosis during the first 6 months after stent placement is still ~ 20-30 %. So this is where the hot topic of desigining alternative, improved stents is focused. Soon there will be drug coated stents which will be able to inhibit the tissue growth, and there will be stents which are coated in a polymer which will deliver DNA to the surrounding tissue to prevent tissue regrowth so the body wont recognize it as foreign.
Anyways, sorry to spew. But I want you to realize that having a stent is not the end of the world. It just means you will now have to be more aware of your body, and the things you do. You will probably have to take meds to allow for the stent accomodation. You will have to keep your cholesterol, BP and CV system in careful check, and do other things which make sure you reduce your risk factors for CAD. It doesn't mean you will not be able to work out anymore, but you will have to do so accordingly. There are also lots of helpful natural/alternative supps that can help which are beyond traditional medicine. There are many resourceful and educated people on this board who know a great deal about these alternatives, and I am sure they would be more than willing to help.
I also just want to remind people that in our quest for body building and AAS use, we often times put ourselves in situations which increase our risk factors for CAD as well as many other risks. I'm sure I will get reamed for this statement, but if you look at all of the relavent posts, well, I think they speak for themselves. Of course there are many things we can do to decrease our risk factors, and it is absolutely crucial we try and do so. One of the great things about Elite (and a few other boards), is the outstanding wealth of information provided by these people (you know who you are) who take their time to do the research and keep us up to date on these topics. I know I am
grateful for this. Do you think our traditional medical system does this? Hardly!
Anyways, good luck in all you choose to do, and a reminder to others that we are not immune to the misfortunes of life.
Here are a few good links in regards ot stenting and CAD:
http://www.texheartsurgeons.com/cad.htm
http://www.tmc.edu/thi/cad.html
http://www.guidant.com/condition/cad/
http://www.mplsheartfoundation.org/heart_disease.cfm
http://heartdisease.about.com/library/weekly/aa062402a.htm
http://www.heartcenteronline.com/The_Stent_Center.html
**This one is excellent, but you need a flash player**
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ucdhs/health/a-z/03coronary/doc03angioplasty.html
Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below 
has anyone else reading this had a stent put in and still 
