PCI

[Maheralhatim]

Hi.. I am suffering from some chest pain after a year of PCI. Is it normal or maybe because I am still smoking! Thank you.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

What are you still smoking? Surely it’s the most likely cause of further heart disease and lung problems?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Some nine months ago I responded to a post of yours: Smoking has two effects; a) the nicotine raises the pulse rate and b) the carbon monoxide decreases the oxygen level in the blood. Both of these contribute to breathlessness.

Chest pain may also result

I am surprised you are still smoking. A former neighbour had further stents on two occasions as he refused to quit smoking. No idea if his current situation as he moved over a year ago.

You need to see your GP as you may need further stents or have restenosis. And give up smoking - cigarettes are not called coffin nails for nothing!

[Calliope153 in reply to MichaelJH]

I know a lifelong really heavy smoker who totally refused to give up. Then he needed a bypass and the surgeon said he would not waste hours of operating theatre time and resources on someone who still smoked. Not politically correct of course but person gave up smoking that day. Eventually had the bypass and was fine as he told me "when it's a stark choice you choose life not a cigarette". Everyone has to make their own choice of course but said reformed smoker is thrilled with his quality of life after the operation. Just a thought.

[Maheralhatim in reply to Calliope153]

Thank you indeed.

[Vivi2711]

I was a chain smoker for thirty years. Attempts to quit smoking failed on 3 or more occasions. Finally, I quit smoking by the following method. I had diazepam 10mg on a night and slept. Woke up in the morning brushed my teeth, had a bath again took diazepam with breakfast and slept. On every occasion I woke up I continued with diazepam and slept. Never left my bedroom for three full days& night.

Fourth day I slowly started my routine & the itch to smoke was gone. But still when I had an opportunity to inhale a secondary smoke that crave to smoke started. I didn't yield and avoided the vicinity of smokers. Then when I ate my most favorite food sumptuously the craving to smoke appeared again. Gave up sumptuous eating and a strict NO TO ALCHOHOL.

All sort of cravings lasted for 1 month and then I sat with smokers, helped them to light their cigarette but never smoked. It's all with ALMIGHTY'S GRACE and it's five years now since I quit smoking.

I am not advocating you to follow the same method to quit but you & everybody has to QUIT SMOKING. An urge to live more, the love we bear on our family and the ALARM our body has sent already will have to make us quit smoking.

All the best.

[Maheralhatim in reply to Vivi2711]

Thank you very much dear for your help. My situation is exactly as you have described, but I'm a heavy smoker for 50+ years. I tried to quit many times but I failed. I think I will try your method soon.

Thank you.

[Nathan53 in reply to Maheralhatim]

I think your thinking side knows you have to quit and as an ex smoker I know how it difficult it can be and more for some than others. Check with your GP practice as they may have some sort of 'STOP smoking course' Then there is vaping - again seek medical advice but it might be a first stage of giving up. Vaping is not fully assessed for risk and is still associated with respiratory problems. I think the smoking may have something to do with your chest pain and will certainly increase risk of further plaque on your arteries. Get some help you can do it with support.

[Maheralhatim in reply to Nathan53]

Thank you Nathan53 for your help. I will try that.

[Mike424u]

On The subject of smoking, post treatment. I was a heavy smoker for 45 years 30 a day plus sometimes, and mainly rollups, Even though I was fairly fit, I kept saying to my self, nothing is going to happen to me and I will smoke until I'm 100. I had my HA in Sept 2018 then had 7 stents, 61 year old. I have not smoked since the day of my HA, If I smoke now its a death sentence, or very short remaining life span, I never thought I would be able to give it up, I tried patches, pills vaps you name it, My HA and the words from my surgeon to tell me if I smoke again I'm dead. And I just went cold turkey, it wasn't easy, and I still struggle at times , Its the habit which is the hardest part, but if you want to live a few more years and enjoy the time left, then give it up for your self and your family, if you cant do the cold turkey, ask your GP for help and go to a help group. I had lots of support from my family. I even go kept fit and the gym now, so maybe I will survive a few more years smoke free.

[Qualipop]

Had a heart attack last AUgust. I was also a 50 year smoker, disabled and housebound so they had crept up from 20 a day to 40-. Don't shout; I know that was the cause of the HA. They gav e me patches in hospital and I stopped instantly----for 6 months. We then had a bad family upset and I started again. IT really does get a grip of you. My GP is aware and knows I am trying hard again to stop. I've just got a vaping kit with a quit programme. YOu smoke one cigarette then next time you vape, alternating them through the day and gradually the number of vapes becomes more than the number of cigarettes. I'm down to 15 a day in 3 days. you keep a record and after a month they give y ou free liquid. Vaping isn't ideal but it's far better than smoking. Go to a good shop who will help you get he right type and the right liquid. NO use getting one you hate the taste of.

[Maheralhatim in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you very much dear Qualipop !

[Chappychap]

I quit smoking about twenty years ago, I used to do a lot of long haul flights and once smoking started to be banned by airlines then the writing was on the wall and I figured it was time to stop.

I quit smoking using nicotine mints and the good news was how easy it was. The bad news was that I became every bit as addicted to nicotine mints as I had been to cigarettes! I remember asking the doctor during a company medical if there was any risks with nicotine mints, he did some research and came back with the answer, "no risks at all". However in hindsight I think that was bad advice, maybe there was no added cancer risk but consuming nicotine in any form (tablets, patches, vaping, etc) is bad news for blood pressure and for the risk of heart disease.

So after my bypass operation I've now quit nicotine tablets as well. Sure, it's hard for the first month or two, but at the end of the day these things are really simple, do you choose additional years of healthy life or do you choose to pander to your addiction?

When I was in the recovery ward after the bypass operation there was a guy in the next bed who was pushing himself hard to get up and start walking. I told him how much I admired his determination, but he replied that he just wanted to get outside for a cigarette, and he wasn't kidding! Sad really. So many talented, dedicated people trying so hard to keep him alive, but why should they bother when he couldn't care less about his own health?

[MydogBrandy]

I stopped smoking in September after 54 years, so has my hubby. We were smoking over 20 a day sometimes 30. Now we have both had heart troubles and ops. We decided to quit. I am now frightened that if I have just one it will start my sets again, my hubby is frightened he will have another heart attack. We want to enjoy our life. On top of all this we are saving £600 per month... Bonus!, x