2nd round of stents

[Ttk998]

Hi all,

Came across this group whilst recovering at home following 2nd round of stents put in my LAD last week (1st round only 7 months ago). Although I feel ok, my restenosis was so quick and so severe that I am already bracing myself for a bypass which scares me to death. Like a lot of the stories I have read on the site tonight, I am young"ish" (47); fit and a non smoker who only found out about a deep family history of heart disease when I was having my first angiogram last December. I didn't do a formal rehab programme last time as I have exercised most of my life so figured I could work it out for myself, but reading some of the comments, it sounds like I should rethink this. Any comments on rehab programmes (or from anyone that had a 2nd go at stents when the first failed) gratefully received.

[Zena166]

Hi And sorry to hear about your restenosis. I genuinely think you should take up the offer of rehab. They will set parameters for safe exercise but It’s not just about the exercise it gives you information about other stuff as well, yes diet but also medication psychology emotional support. It also gives you immediate access to expertise so that any questions can be addressed as well as if you feel unwell they can advise. It gives confidence in dealing with living with a heart condition. So I really would recommend accessing this because it’s more than just about exercise. There are lots of people who will be along to tell you about bypass later so will leave that to them. But try not to think about this 2nd stent failing but talk to the rehab team about your concerns the BHF have a great helpline as well. Hope this helps. Take care. Zena

[Stivkinh in reply to Zena166]

Great advice Zena

[Stivkinh]

Hi Ttk998,

I’m 45, thought I was fit, found out my family has a history of heart disease and now have 2 stents after a completely blocked artery was discovered. So many similarities eh? I have been doing the rehab and this morning is actually the last day although I plan to keep going to a similar structured class. I would completely recommend rehab, I think Zena just about nailed it with her comment and I can only agree. They set you targets and not only regarding what exercise to do but heart rates and Borg scale too. I shouldn’t exceed 109 bpm and I didn’t even know what the Borg scale was. I didn’t know you need a 15 min gentle warm up to fully dilate your artery’s.

I hope everything goes well, I’m going to follow your progress as your the same age as me with the same problems.

[Ttk998 in reply to Stivkinh]

Thank you Stivkinh and Zena for taking the time to reply; really helpful. I will take your advice and join the rehab class. How soon post stents did you start going along?

[Stivkinh in reply to Ttk998]

They should get in touch with you, I was a good few weeks, maybe 6 or 7. To be fair, my mind wanted it more than my body. I think the wait is worth while.

[Ttk998 in reply to Stivkinh]

Thanks. I will reach out to them to make sure I am on their list

[Zena166]

Likewise I was about 7 weeks. But in the meantime they suggest you build up gentle walking and a few minutes of gentle exercise indoors (like standing up from a chair and step ups on the stairs). I had a manual to follow pre rehab. Literally first day I walked to the front pavement and to my next door neighbours front gate probably only about 30 feet! But I increased daily so that I was walking 30 minutes by the time I got to rehab. I agree with Stivkinh I wanted to do it as soon as possible but definitely needed to wait to adjust physically as well as mentally as I was still in shock as well as being scared rigid! Still am a bit of a scaredy-cat if I’m honest!!! Yes do check you’re on their list. Embrace the rehab. It will be a worthwhile experience. Take care and stay strong. Zena

[Ttk998]

Thanks Zena. I'll keep you posted and hope that your recovery continues to go well.

[Pamela-bsl]

Hi, sorry to hear of your situation. My story is similar, I've exercised religiously all my life to try and evade the heart issues i knew other family members experienced. I've never smoked, i always watched my weight so the onset of chest pains, angina and breathlessness took my by surprise. I now have 4 stents put in over 2 procedures. Each time i've taken part in the rehab programme. I've felt a bit of a fraud to be honest, i'm the healthier looking participant alongside others who have had to undergo more serious interventions but i've also found it helpful and supportive.

[Ttk998]

Thanks Pamela. The consensus is clearly that the rehab is worthwhile so I will give it a go. How long ago was your 2nd op and how are you feeling now?

[Ttk998]

Hi guys. I said I would update on my position. So, 6 weeks post 2nd round of stents on LAD, I met my cardiologist today. All ok'ish' as he reiterated that severe restenosis ocurring within 6 months was unusual such that I have a 25% chance of failure again, which would mean bypass. As I have been a bit pale for a few weeks (hopefully just a bug) he took some bloods and said there was the potential for a 'leak'. He did explain this but my mind went into a bit of a spin. Anyone know what this might be and what it means? I start cardiac rehab programme on Monday so am keeping my fingers crossed that the stents will work this time and the leak will be plugged!