Duration: 3:35
People with coronary heart disease talk about the medical procedures that followed their heart attack and diagnosis.
Avis Helen - It was quite frightening at first, to think that you were going to be awake. But it was quite fascinating, once you saw it.
Avis - I think everyone's fearful for a little while. But once you get into the procedure, it doesn't take that long and I think you tend to lose your fear after a little while.
Albie - I found it quite interesting that I was going to be awake for the whole procedure. It was interesting to see the wire going through to the blocked area. The clearing of that blocked area and the stent is out in and the pain dissipating. It was great.
Helen - The after-procedure, I felt, was a bit more painful than what I expected. They have to close off the arteries and it means leaning on your groin for quite a while and then you have to be quite still for six hours after it. I found that far more painful than the actual important procedure.
Barry - In 1997, the heart attack I had was very severe and there wasn't a lot they could do. They treated it with medication that expands the arteries that were partially blocked.
Avis - All the new technology that they've got today, should give everybody a lot of confidence. They've got these new keyhole procedures and when I look at my father-in-law who's just had a new aorta and one bypass put in and he's just fantastic. So, I have a lot of confidence in the new technology.
Helen - Technology today is just so marvellous that I just felt I was in the right hands.
Ligita - I had in the hospital very good treatment. The doctors and nurses - I couldn't wish for better treatment. So, I think people shouldn't be worried.
Albie - Technology has improved so much, and it's going to improve even further. I guess, you can look forward to, if you have to have these sorts of treatments, you're going to get the best treatment that you can possibly get. My father wasn't as lucky as that. He was very young and had the same sort of disease that I had, and yet didn't have the help that I had. So, I feel very fortunate and hope it keeps on going.
Barry - I'd hate to have been around too many years ago. Starting with the ambulance fellows, when they first came in, they would astound you. The electronics, and from there onto the hospital, they're so quick and so devoted. The equipment is space-age, and I think without that, I wouldn't be here.
Avis - I think everyone's fearful for a little while. But once you get into the procedure, it doesn't take that long and I think you tend to lose your fear after a little while.
Albie - I found it quite interesting that I was going to be awake for the whole procedure. It was interesting to see the wire going through to the blocked area. The clearing of that blocked area and the stent is out in and the pain dissipating. It was great.
Helen - The after-procedure, I felt, was a bit more painful than what I expected. They have to close off the arteries and it means leaning on your groin for quite a while and then you have to be quite still for six hours after it. I found that far more painful than the actual important procedure.
Barry - In 1997, the heart attack I had was very severe and there wasn't a lot they could do. They treated it with medication that expands the arteries that were partially blocked.
Avis - All the new technology that they've got today, should give everybody a lot of confidence. They've got these new keyhole procedures and when I look at my father-in-law who's just had a new aorta and one bypass put in and he's just fantastic. So, I have a lot of confidence in the new technology.
Helen - Technology today is just so marvellous that I just felt I was in the right hands.
Ligita - I had in the hospital very good treatment. The doctors and nurses - I couldn't wish for better treatment. So, I think people shouldn't be worried.
Albie - Technology has improved so much, and it's going to improve even further. I guess, you can look forward to, if you have to have these sorts of treatments, you're going to get the best treatment that you can possibly get. My father wasn't as lucky as that. He was very young and had the same sort of disease that I had, and yet didn't have the help that I had. So, I feel very fortunate and hope it keeps on going.
Barry - I'd hate to have been around too many years ago. Starting with the ambulance fellows, when they first came in, they would astound you. The electronics, and from there onto the hospital, they're so quick and so devoted. The equipment is space-age, and I think without that, I wouldn't be here.