Bloated stomach

Hi, my husband had a heart attack whilst we were on holiday in Madeira about 6 weeks ago and now has 2 stents. He has been seen by the cardiology specialist nurse recently and has been taken off Ticagrelor because it was thought it was causing him to be very out of breath. Meds changed to Clopidogrel, puffing has improved slightly but some days worse that others that indicates it's not medication as the cause. He also now has tightness (not pain) in his chest but most recently we have noticed that his stomach appears to have become extended and is hard. He probably could do with losing a few pounds but several people have commented recently that his stomach looks bigger........we thought at first we were imagining it. Does anyone know if this could be connected with his heart problem and should we be contacting the cardiology team? He has a follow up echo and stress test due on 17th May.

[stevejb1810]

I don't know if the bloating is operation/medication related - could be either or both. The advice I'll give is the advice that most cardiac patients are given - if things get worse go to A&E. I know that can sound a bit melodramatic but better to be safe than sorry. You could go through 111 first and see what they say - I doubt you'll get to see your GP this weekend but you could try going through the oncall doctor service if you have one.

[Hidden in reply to stevejb1810]

Thank you for your reply and advice. I think we'll just monitor things at present and see how he goes. Obviously if we get really worried we will of course ring 111 or go to A&E. As he had his heart attack whilst we were on holiday in Madeira we've sort of missed out on a lot of information with regard what to expect. Makes you feel very vulnerable and it's hard not to think everything is related to the heart attack etc.

[LizzieN2 in reply to Hidden]

Hello. I had my heart attack ten weeks ago with two stents fitted and have not had one single contact with a nurse or someone from the cardiac team since- nor an invitation to our local surgery - so I am very impressed your husband has had such follow up already. but to comment on your question I have noticed all sorts of minor differences in the abdomen area and as I have no pain/blood/ i have decided it must be the sheer amount of meds including chlopidogrel. The distention in the bowel comes and goes and sometimes affects the need to urinate urgently (but that also can be a side effect of of one of the tablets I take for BP. I think too that you do become much more "body aware"even a bit obsessed so I try to keep busy and ignore it mostly. I do wish you both well.

[golfgod]

Ditto off to see gp on Thursday my stomach ankles and legs are swollen.so looks like back on water tablets water works have slowed down

[Heartily]

Hi, meds will slow him down and weight gain will creep. The echo will define the state of heart, so Go through in detail with GP, and get him to explain to you. EF reading will give best guide. 50% normal as the figure goes down it indicates the heart is less efficient,. There are people living good lives on 35% so don't fret and others who have been lucky. Chest pain is to be expected for few months, more ache or stabbing, don't forget rehab and exercise will help. I had ha Christmas, 3 stents and I'm doing fine, but still get chest pain from time to time, but mainly muscle etc. The main thing is he's been treated with stents, the future is good.

[MikeBB]

Well, having put on 4kgs since my h/attack mid Feb, and also feeling a bit bloated, I’ll be asking some relevant questions tomorrow at my ‘post cardiac intervention review’.

In my case, I don’t accept the ‘less excercise’ explanation. Or the ‘eating more’ having given up smoking cigars. Especially since my calorie intake has dropped significantly as I also reduced my alcohol intake

I blame the medication.

[MikeBB in reply to MikeBB]

Quick update - my chat with the cardio nurse today suggests that the Ticagrelor I take could well be the cause of my (mild) breathlessness and (slight) bloating of the stomach. Given I only have to take it for another couple of months, I'll just put up with it I think.

A case of the positives outweighing the negatives. So, perhaps worth you and your husband having a good chat with your GP and / or the cardio team.