Post stent

[Bebo2]

Had my stent fitted two months ago. For the last 10 days I’ve been getting discomfort in the top of my chest and neck, nothing painful but as you all know, worrying. It doesn’t get worse under exertion or exercise. Went to docs, they said possibly an inflamed chest? But not to worry as no pain on exertion. At cardiac rehab they didn’t seem worried after I completed the workout with no pain. Is it still soon after stent (for a 2cm blocked LAD) to be not feeling good as new 😊

[Bebo2]

True 👍🏻

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Bebo2. It’s still early days. Took me months before the tweaks stopped and I still (3 years later) get the odd twinge. The benefit of having a heart attack leading to my stent (LAD too) was I know how that feels 😄. Feeling as good as new might take you a bit longer yet. I found the meds slowed me down quite a bit. 3 years later I can still fall asleep at the drop of a hat when I put my feet up but feel better than ever. Good luck.

[Khonkaen]

With me my chest pains are nearly all caused by acid reflux, so that would be the first avenue of investigation for you. Chewing gum (not pepermint) will release alkaline saliva into the esophagus and upper body exercise movement to help create a burp. Deep breathing also helps with this and the twinges you may get.

The first 12 months is the worst, so I am told, I am 7 months since my HA + 2 stents, so working towards that, handling issues as the come along.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

The replies cover it v well. Just a few minor comments.

I was told, after a few stents, that the heart doesn’t like being ‘messed about with’ and needs time to settle down afterwards.

Also, I got uncomfortable twinges if I fell asleep in my left side. It felt as if I was compressing something. Right side was fine. A year later that had worn off.

You didn't mention if you'd had a heart attack?

Lots of members, here do feel ‘good as new’, after stents. What lucky people! They work incredibly hard to get back to fitness, good eating etc etc, and do brilliantly well. ‘Back to normal’ or even better!

But many of us are contending with some heart scarring after HAs, so we find ourselves, not ‘good as new’, but in a new ‘normal’!

[Bebo2 in reply to Kristin1812]

I didn’t have a heart attack, just angina on exertion. Angiogram revealed a 2cm block in my LAD. I had some natural Revascularization, which had prevented me having a heart attack. I had a stress test which revealed 20% ischaemia. It was a tricky stent and so I waited 8 months for the op and they went in through both wrists. Ever since diagnosis and I started taking the meds, I have not had the same angina pain as I originally had.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

So good you didn’t have a HA. Interesting about your Revascularization. I exercise quite a lot, (after 3 HAs, 9 stents and within some pretty tight limits) and the Consultant said heart vascularisation on scans, was significantly better.

Encouraging, isn’t it?

[Bebo2]

Amazing! Inspired me to walk the hills today ( no pain 😊)

[DavidG1971]

Almost a year gone and I get twinges too - but like you, not when I exercise. I think there’s some tenderness around the stent itself, but blood flow ok. Hard not to worry, but if exertion doesn’t bring on pain, I’d say it sounds ok.