Chest pain

[Cazz1954]

Hello this is the first time I have been on her. I had a heart attack then 3 stents 3 months ago. At first I was getting on really well. But since just before Christmas I have started getting chest pain and being out of breath more and more. Am booked in for another angiogram in feb. Just had an echo today which was already booked when in cardio rehab and the technician asked if anyone had mentioned stent pain ? Why would a technician ask me that

[AlibaliM]

I’ve never been told it was related to stents. My chest pain afterwards was due to statins and pericarditis. Worth checking for these too.

[Cazz1954 in reply to AlibaliM]

I’m not sure it’s the statins as I have been on them for 6 years when I was diagnosed with combined familial hypercholesterolemia. Hoping the angiogram will tell more.

[AlibaliM in reply to Cazz1954]

I had 3 angiograms. First one stent put in. Second one to check why I still had pain, another stent put in small branch as an extra precaution. Third one to check again as still had chest pain and shoulder blades pain and was told pericarditis, although luckily no effusion present

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! There can be stent pain but the mention of breathlessness concerns me. It could be a reaction to medication (which ones are you on?) or an indication that additional stents are needed in the same or other artery. Call your GP practice now and if they are unhelpful 111. If the chest pain or breathlessness gets really bad ring 999. You will not be told off for time wasting as they prefer saving lives to the other option!

[Cazz1954 in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael I am on bisoprolol. ticagrelor. Ramipril. Atorvastatin Aspirin.and Isosorbide . And am having another angiogram in february

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Cazz1954]

Bisoprolol can cause breathlessness in some people but it is a rare side effect - the usual one being tiredness. Take up my suggestions in the earlier post.

[Qualipop in reply to MichaelJH]

Bisopralol does have side effects. I had to stop taking it but for me the worst was ticagrelor. I was gasping for breath. I now take Clopidogrel instead.

[Cazz1954 in reply to Qualipop]

That’s interesting. My GP or the cardio team haven’t mentioned that

[Qualipop in reply to Cazz1954]

Ticag is well known for causing breathlessness. For some people it's more like a feeling that they can't breathe rather t han actual difficult y breathing but for many it's severe but it doesn't explain the chest pain. See your GP- don't be brushed off ( and read the leaflet in the box of tablets)

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

The liaison nurse told me discomfort after stents can happen, he said ‘the heart doesn’t like being messed about with’!

Mine settled down after a few weeks.

[Cazz1954 in reply to Kristin1812]

i had my stents put in late September everything was going well for over 2 months then the chest pain and breathlessness started just before Christmas not sure what’s going on. Glad yours has settled.

[Hidden]

Hi Cazz, be interested to hear how you get on... as I’m in a similar situation . Was doing really well after initial recovery, then seem to have gone several steps back. With breathlessness , chest pain and low energy. Which has contributed to weight gain too ! I’m on similar meds and the breathlessness came back after an increase to my Ramipril meds. Came off them and everything was good again... reintroduced on lower dosage and back came the symptoms 😔. So came off them again ... but symptoms have not disappeared, unlike last time. This is all under GP supervision/advice. Just waiting to go back and see the GP to discuss further options. Ticagrelor is known for causing breathlessness, but for me, once settled the breathlessness disappeared ... it only came back after the Ramipril was increased. Am very reluctant to come off Ticagrelor for another, as it produces the best results for stent patients.

Would really be interested to hear how you get on... x

[Cazz1954 in reply to Hidden]

I am having the angiogram to see if my stents have blocked. Or that I might need to have more. I also have mild mitro valve regurgitation. My doctor has changed my medication several times since the pain and breathlessness. And on Thursday he tried ringing the hospital to get my angiogram moved forward so will let you know what happens. Has your GP suggested you go back to the cardio team? Yes I have gained wait as well.

[Hidden in reply to Cazz1954]

No we haven’t discussed being referred back to the Cardio team. As it was only November that I was signed off by the Cardiac Nurse. May look at alternatives. Keep me posted x

[Cazz1954 in reply to Hidden]

Hi just to say I had my angiogram today and the stents I had in September are fine and they can’t see anything wrong. That’s fine but it doesn’t explain my chest pain and breathlessness, think I will have to see my GP . How are you getting on ?

[Hidden in reply to Cazz1954]

Hi... after exchanging posts with you I decided to step it up ! Just heard yesterday that I am booked in for an angiogram and possible angioplasty if required at the beginning of March. Will see what the outcome is then... will let you know. The Cardiac specialist said that it could be the Ticagrelor causing the problems and at this stage it would not be a problem to try an alternative, as have passed the six month marker. Did they say that the stents fitted have bedded in ok? As at least with the angiogram done you are in a stronger position as they know all is ok with the heart and that you can start to look at alternatives. But surely the cardiac team should be dealing with you and not the GP to find a resolution? Keep in touch .. x

[Cazz1954 in reply to Hidden]

That’s good March will soon be here. Very interesting to hear about the ticagrelor, they said my heart looked fine. Stents looked fine. But I have a very narrow artery on the left side and I was probably born with it. It was a relief to know I didn’t need anymore treatment. But left there feeling a bit I don’t know confused wondering what to do now. Good luck to you in March keep me informed, it’s nice to talk to somebody isn’t it x

[Qualipop]

I had to have several tablets changed because of side effects of breathlessness, hallucinations, extreme tiredness. See your GP- there are plenty of alternatives

[Cazz1954]

Thanks I will. I think I’m on automatic pilot to the doctors surgery ha.