LAD stents, feeling worried

[Phantescarina]

I've just had several stents put in my LAD artery which is causing me some anxiety.

I'm not sure what this means for the future. I want to regain full health but don't know if or how I can.

ps I'm new here

[Adrian1949]

First of all. STOP WORRYING!

It happened to me last summer. LAD almost completely blocked, a trip to hospital with the blues on and siren blaring all the way. Just dodged a heart attack as a bit of claret was still getting through, but loads of angina pain. Two stents inserted and, deep joy, vastly improved. That was early July 2017. I admit to still being worried, you can't get that close to putting both feet over the edge and booking a half day out with an undertaker without getting a bit concerned about your own mortality. But don't think like that!

It had no effect on car insurance, as long as you notify insurers everything is fine. If they aren't bothered why should you be?

By the end of the month I had started cardiac rehab with an NHS team at our local leisure centre. That consisted of twice weekly exercise sessions, plus a course of eight talks where I learnt a great deal about diet, cardiac health, etc. Dietary changes are essential. It's the stuff you've been eating that got you in this position in the first place, eating more sensibly and in more sensible quantities is very important, if you want to stop it happening again. This is the time when that spare tyre round your middle is sent packing.

The first session of exercises was utterly exhausting, but got easier. But every time it got easier the staff upped the exercise load. Pulse checked regularly during each session. I found myself getting fitter and stronger as the weeks went by. It continued for ten weeks for me. Can be more or less, depending on how bad a state someone is in when they start, and how rapid their recovery.

When finally discharged by the NHS I was encouraged to continue exercising in the gym at the leisure centre, and got a special cheap deal for a year as an NHS patient referred to them. Some of the gym staff are NHS cardiac trained, in order to help people continue with their recovery and general fitness. I have been doing that since the end of October 2017.

So where am I now? Still going twice weekly (and I hated and avoided PE when I was at school), and am finding that me fitness and ability continues to grow.

Last Thursday I ran 4 mile non stop on a treadmill...………..

Stop worrying.

Start exercising - under professional guidance,

And keep at it.

You'll find, like me, that within a few months you feel years younger. Decades probably.

[tunybgur in reply to Adrian1949]

Spot on Adrian!

My cardiologist said 'apart from cutting out the carbs and saturated fats, the best medication he could prescribe is a good pair of walking shoes or trainers!'

[Hidden]

Hi

Firstly as others have said worrying wont help, however rest assured that you are in capable hands

I had a fully blocked circumflex and minor blockages in LAD. after stents and some rest I feel absolutely great, yes there are some occassional issues with meds, and some dark days, these do get less and less. As my cardiologist said we can fix you physically but are less good in fixing you mentally.

Cardio rehab is the place to be I did 8 weeks rehab and felt fab for the first time in ages. Luckily my cardio rehab has a Gym on site and I signed up there. I now go at least 3 times a week something I would have laughed at you for a year ago.

I set small milestones and tomorrow is 6 months post HA, something in the early days I never even thought I would see.

Be positive, get into rehab and talk to others. This site is great for that

Good luck and let us know how you get on, I am sure that it will work out well