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Real members of MyHeartDiseaseTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I have a coronary artery that is 100% blocked. Would having that artery opened improve my congestive heart failure?

A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member asked a question 💭
Tonawanda, NY
7 days ago
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Ejection Fraction and Heart Failure: What Does It Mean? Read Article...
A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member

Jeffery. only thing I can say right now is, if you are uncomfortable with what you are being told, get a second opinion. Feeling comfortable with our doctors and treatments are important.

5 days ago
A MyHeartDiseaseTeam Member

Believe it or not, I have one coronary artery stent, and I've actually had 3 CABG surgeries. A quadruple in 2001, then a double two months later due to the formation of scar tissue. I then had a triple in 2008 following my Valentine's day heart attack. Before I had my coronary artery stent placement a couple of years ago, I had over time, lost most of my leg and arm hair. It started to come back following the stent placement. That in itself really means nothing to me, but I I wonder what other things would happen to my body if that clogged artery was opened up...

6 days ago
MyHeartDiseaseTeam

That's a really important question, and the answer depends on a few key factors that only your cardiologist can fully assess.

A 100% blocked coronary artery can contribute to heart failure by reducing the amount of oxygen-rich blood reaching your heart muscle. Over time, this weakens the heart's ability to pump effectively Show Full Answer

That's a really important question, and the answer depends on a few key factors that only your cardiologist can fully assess.

A 100% blocked coronary artery can contribute to heart failure by reducing the amount of oxygen-rich blood reaching your heart muscle. Over time, this weakens the heart's ability to pump effectively. In some cases, opening a blocked artery can improve heart function — but not always. One MyHeartDiseaseTeam member shared a similar experience — their blocked artery had been present so long that the heart had naturally rerouted blood flow around it. In that case, doctors determined that opening the artery wasn't possible or necessary.

This is actually a known phenomenon. Sometimes the heart develops what are called "collateral vessels" — natural detours around a blockage. If blood is already reaching the heart muscle another way, opening the artery may offer limited benefit. If the blockage is contributing to weakened heart muscle, procedures like these may be considered:

- Angioplasty with stenting — a balloon opens the artery and a small mesh tube keeps it open
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) — a new route is created around the blockage using a blood vessel from elsewhere in your body

Both options carry risks, and not everyone is a candidate for each procedure.

The best step is a thorough conversation with your cardiologist, who can review imaging and determine whether opening the artery would meaningfully improve your heart function.

7 days ago

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