Totally unexpected

[Jogler1372]

Hi everyone,

I guess being on here is strange for us all as none of us ever thought we would be. Having read some of your stories its comforting to know we all have or had similar symptoms with our hearts. Im 9 days into this having had a stent fitted to my vitually blocked left coronary artery. This came totally as a shock as hadnt ever smoked and kept fit for all of my adult life. Im feeling a little anxious at the moment with intermitant discomfort in my chest, although I have been told this is normal after having a stent fitted. All I want is to get exercising again which will then give me my confidence back.

[julesg56]

Hi Jogler - it is a very surreal feeling to be sure. I had an anterior stemi in June 2017 - came as a total shock as I was feeling so fit at the time. Luckily treatment came quickly and the stents did the trick (touch wood). To start with I was a bit in denial and went back to work within 2 weeks - on reflection it was a bit too soon as it takes a while to get used to all the new medications. But I really felt back to normal after quite a short time. Just take it a little easy getting back to exercising - you don't want to run before you can walk. Hopefully you will have some good advice from your healthcare team and with a bit luck some cardio-rehabilitation. Good Luck and hope you progress well (I remember having some odd feelings in my chest for a few months following angioplasty - I think that's normal after invasive treatment).

[Jogler1372 in reply to julesg56]

Thankyou julesg, thats bucked me up no end.

[Benzman]

You need to take it easy until you get to cardio-rehab where your exercising will be monitored by trained people. I went through cardio-rehab 3 times before the nurse would finally agree to me starting exercise. I now regularly attend a heart club for exercise because I am under the watchful eyes of specialists all the time. I now feel great (well except for the flu that my wife and I are getting over!)

Good luck.

[Jogler1372 in reply to Benzman]

Hi Benzman, im looking forward to the rehab, just over a week to go. Im so glad theres a site like this with people having gone through what i have because without all your input you feel a little in the dark as to how much you should do. Prior to my attack i was at the peak of my fitness so going from that to nothing is difficult to handle at first, but you guys have made me see how taking it easy is the medicine and listen to the professionals.

[Ianc2]

Now have really good look at your diet and try and work out why your artery clogged up in the first place - lots of conflicting views out there.

[Jogler1372 in reply to Ianc2]

Hi lanc2,

Its all a bit of a mystery as I have never smoked, always been fit, eaten well although I do admit to eating alot of dairy products etc but not excessive. Theres been no family history so not sure what caused it. New diet, and looking forward to getting back on my bike.

[Ianc2]

My own feeling, after looking at as many pieces of information that I can, is that the hidden cause is sugar, either embedded in food, or directly through energy drinks etc,. If you are a cyclist it is worth reading 'The Haywire heart ' by John Mandrola MD. Basically excess sugar sticks to red blood cells, blood becomes sticky and sticks to artery walls, causing inflammation, and so the process starts

[Jogler1372 in reply to Ianc2]

lanc2, yes this has made me think as i do had an energy powder to my drinks bottle when out cycling.

[DavidG1971]

Had my stent in December. I was very aware of it for at least a month. Much more settled now. I haven’t figured food out yet. Looking back at my prior diet -‘it was sugar heavy. Biscuits, chocolate, pudding was my weakness.

[Jogler1372 in reply to DavidG1971]

Hi DavidG, Ive replaced all those now with fruit, yogurt etc, although difficult at first not to be tempted its hard now to avoid my fruit bowl as it looks like a market stall full of chioce.

[Catwumman]

I am 2 weeks post stents. 3 stents inserted. No heart attack. I was so shocked that I didn't even ask any questions! I have had anxiety over the slightest pain & 2 days of tears for no reason. I am normally the most laid-back person! Terrified to exercise, even though the problem is now fixed.However, I am now starting to get my head round it all & starting to relax.

[Jogler1372 in reply to Catwumman]

Hi Catwumman, I know how you feel and its new for us all, but feel reassured all will be ok. I know for me all I want to do is reach my max when exercising then I will know alls ok, mind over body thing I suppose. Early days yet and if you read on this site what others have experienced and advised along with the professionals you wont go wrong.

[Catwumman in reply to Jogler1372]

This site has certainly helped! I have been out walking every day & gradually increased my distance & pace. I am visiting my son at the moment & his standard morning greeting is "Good morning, Mater. I see you've survived another night!" 🤣 Thankfully my sense of humour has returned. I think I needed to get away from the mollycoddling & relax.

[Andyman]

I was told to start walking the day I was released. I was 4 days in before this. What were you told.

[Jogler1372 in reply to Andyman]

Hi, I was at my fittest prior to having the stent so when i came out i exceeded the 10 mins a day walk...alot. I soon found out this is not a good idea as i was getting some discomfort in the chest. Now im sticking to what im advised as in 6 wks time i will be good to go.

[Andyman]

Interesting. I got fitter and fitter doing this but it just goes to illustrate that we are all different and individual in ourselves and in our health recoveries.

[Jogler1372]

Andyman, it wasnt the fact i was out of breath quite the opposite I was walking 7 miles but with me getting a twinge where the stent was thought need to give it time to my frustration.