Been referred for angioplasty and stent.

[Bebo2]

Hi,

I am 51 and one blocked artery with some revasculization ? I have been referred for angioplasty and one stent. My blockage is about 2cm and so my stent may not be straight forward? Does anyone know how long my appointment will be ( been waiting 3 weeks) been told not to do too much as after stress test my heart was struggling a bit. On all the usual meds. I have discomfort some days in my chest and other days I’m ok. Some nights with no sleep, other nights ok. Reading some of the posts here has helped.

[Pilgrim1956]

As with lots of nhs stuff it can be a bit of a post code lottery. My sister has very high BP and will have to wait 10 days just for an ECG!

My hospital angiogram unit were full on all day when I was in just dealing with admissions and no scope for 'routine' appointments.

[Shoshov]

hi bebo. i had a stress test at easter. don’t know what it showed yet but iv suddenly been put on bisoprolol and ramapril and have a date with the angio team on 6th of june. i thought it was all a bit quick getting done but as someone says if it needs done you’ll be seen. take it as a good sign you’ve not heard yet. emergency cardiac care is excellent in the nhs. not so good on follow ups. hope this helps❤️shiona

[Bebo2 in reply to Shoshov]

Thanks, it’s good to hear from people going through the same stuff.

[Lxnc]

Hi I was in your situation about this time last year when I was 50. First saw Drs in May when walked into A & E with niggling chest sensation. Referred to Chest pain clinic two weeks later. From there to CT scan in July. This flagged the blockage. Onto meds’ a week later after reporting back to GP. Angioplasty and 1 24mm stent fitted 31st August. Procedure took about 55mins. Awake throughout. No pain. Slight mild discomfort when the stent is opened in place. In and out of hospital on same day. It is nothing to worry about and you feel physically better straight away. Two weeks recovery back to light duties after 1 week. Psychological adjustment takes a bit longer but saw great team in cardio rehab who helped enormously. Main feeling was one of vulnerability and feeling broken. In a simple conversation with a NHS person who had actually been through it (though he had had a heart attack) it put me straight. Basic message was you’re now fine. Get on with life and look after yourself better.

Hope your appointment comes through soon. Be sensible, look at your diet/weight/lifestyle and start/keep going with gentle exercise eg walking. The healthier you can get in the interim will all help your recovery/adjustment.

Good luck you’re going to be fine.

[Bebo2 in reply to Lxnc]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it really helps. I have lost a stone since I had an angiogram and eating Uber healthy.

[Benzman]

I went for an angiogram in January as a result of angina & breathlessness. I was told that if I needed stents the timescale for inserting them would depend on the seriousness of the blockage & could be carried out any time from 24 hours to several months. Mine were inserted in the following May.

I went in for 2 stents that should have taken 1 hour but once they started I finished up with 5 that took 2 hours.

One tip, when they tell you that they are taking you down, go to the toilet, they will wait. They may tell you that they intend going in through the wrist but in my case they couldn't get in and reverted to the groin. If they go through the groin you then have to lay flat for a minimum of 2 hours after the op.

Rehab teams afterwards are brilliant, don't turn down the offer to attend. I feel better now than I did for the previous 10 years.

Good luck

[Bebo2]

Thanks Benzman,

That’s a great tip. Hopefully will get sorted soon. And feel like a new man !

And thanks for taking the time to post something, it really helps and I hope I will be in a position to do the same for others in the future.