Arm problems after angioplasty - British Heart Fou...

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Arm problems after angioplasty

KatyB07 profile image
30 Replies

Hi I’m 47 female had a small heart attack on Monday. I had angioplasty on Tuesday & one stent fitted. My right arm is really sore & bruised & it feels like my bicep muscle is flexed. Just wondered if this is normal as finding so uncomfortable & affecting my sleep.

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KatyB07
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30 Replies
NorthantsSteve profile image
NorthantsSteve

Hi Katy. I had exactly the same experience 3 years ago, age 55. The bruising and recovery will be worse because of the anti-platelet meds. It’s early days yet. If you’re bothered about it suggest you talk to your cardio nurse team. Good luck, Katy.

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to NorthantsSteve

Thankyou

sasquot1 profile image
sasquot1

Hi Katy

I too had the same experience my arm was cert sore for a few days and then ached for awhile but it did settle down eventually x I agree with Northants Steve if it is a worry get it checked with GP. Here’s to a speedy recovery x

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to sasquot1

Thankyou

Kristin1812 profile image
Kristin1812Heart Star

Hi. Did they insert the angio wires through your right wrist? I’ve had a few angios in arm and groin, and sometimes my right arm is left v sore. Usually settles down after a few days.

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to Kristin1812

Yes I was a little concerned as what I read said better after a couple of days & mine was getting worse after 4 plus was higher up in my arm not at the site. Managed to get a better nights sleep , less painful more of a duller ache now

Kristin1812 profile image
Kristin1812Heart Star in reply to KatyB07

I hope it settles soon. One angio that was in my arm, there was a ghastly lot of pushing and shoving and excruciating pain for a few seconds, just round my elbow. It felt like he’d hit a blockage. That was even with sedation, which I always request....what a wimp!

The bruising took many days to reduce.

I had another angio after that, and no pain at all, same site.

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to Kristin1812

I remember saying ouch twice & they gave me a relaxant also, must have been near my bicep. The pain has subsided to a dull ache, just keep forgetting not to use it as right handed

Dobrodave profile image
Dobrodave in reply to KatyB07

How is your pain now? I'm looking at similar symptoms right now and it's so frustrating and painful. The worrying sets in and off I go again. :-(

Lee180 profile image
Lee180

Hi... It was the same for me, The medication makes it worse. You will get use to it and hopefully you feel better soon

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to Lee180

Thankyou

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

The bruising is very normal and is because of the high dose of blood thinners you were given. AFter my first angiogram and stents my arm was purple and black from wrist to elbow. When I had another one here wasn't even a pin mark.

Jaycey profile image
Jaycey

I was told to take it easy and not lift anything heavy for at least 7 days post stents. Early days for you. Hope this eases soon!

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to Jaycey

Thankyou

Purplemaze profile image
Purplemaze

Hi, I have same problems.my heart attack was 5 weeks ago an I still have same pain

OneCrow profile image
OneCrow

Well I'm no expert given that my angioplasty was only Nov 18th for one stent, but I've also had a sore shoulder and upper arm on and off since the event. I mentioned it to the GP but it didn't seem to concern her too much. From my experience so far I'd say that it's normal to have discomfort for quite some time. Official reply is that if it's the same kind if pain as when you had the attack then to call 999 but I've found discomfort on and off the norm since it happened, especially if I overdo, it so I've been going with a judgement call each time erring on the side if caution obviously.

Don't forget that we're both very early in our recovery, I had a bump down to earth having that discussion with my GP only this week. I thought I'd be back to work next week and still flying to Japan on holiday on Dec 31st, no way. Everyone's different of course but it can take a good while to bounce back I think.

You had a heart attack on Tuesday, soreness pretty standard as you recover right?

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to OneCrow

Yes it is early days & don’t know what to expect. I’ve also had palpitations & returned to hospital yesterday but they found nothing & adjusted my beta blockers. They asked if having more caffeine which I am due to boredom at home so will cut that back too.

I was told be off work at least a month a provided a sick note at the hospital. I have a GP appointment on Wednesday & also the cardiac rehab nurse will be getting in touch.

Just trying to take it easy & do what I’m told but really missing not being able to drive.

OneCrow profile image
OneCrow in reply to KatyB07

Yeah it's definitely frustrating. I used to be fairly active beforehand so it's not easy just walking for ten minutes or so, I keep wanting to speed right up or go longer. I also suffered occasional palpations but they have pretty much stopped now. Palpations are something that can be brought on by anxiety so I try to bear that in mind, they were always in bed when you have time to think dark thoughts. The breathlessness has also more or less stopped. At the start of the meds I was breathless after every meal.

I've definitely found myself swinging from one extreme to the other, I have good days and feel like I'm getting through this then I have bad days and feel like the stent didn't sort it and my days are numbered.

Time and experience are really going to help I think.

Squash1961 profile image
Squash1961 in reply to OneCrow

Thanks, nice to hear I’m not alone! Hi everyone

I had a heart attack nearly 3 weeks ago (a huge surprise) had a stent in my RCA, which clogged within 12 hours and they re-stented. I keep getting a soreness in my left arm and feeling nauseous with stomach ache. No chest pain. Is this normal? Drugs? Anxiety? Thanks

OneCrow profile image
OneCrow in reply to Squash1961

I haven't found it easy to get my symptoms taken that seriously once they decide it's not another heart attack you're having. I'm now over 4 months on from the stent and I still get chest pains and sore arm/arm pit on the left side. Eventually, when I saw the cardiologist 3 months after the event, she suggested we try stopping the statin which saw the issue improve somewhat but not go away. I'm now on a different statin though because of the fact there was at least some improvement but ultimately the issues are still there.

Anxiety is a common theme in the potential causes given and don't forget that you're suddenly on some quite powerful meds (I assume) slowing your heart rate, thinning your blood and reducing your blood pressure. The anxiety is genuine pain though, so don't knock yourself down thinking you're imagining it. I'm not saying it is just anxiety for you but, if so, you know? I'm pretty convinced that it worsens any symptoms I do get either way.

Unfortunately in the current virus climate you're not going to be keen to go into A & E but one positive thing that happened for me was when I was worried it was potentially another mild heart attack. In A & E they checked for troponin and found it wasn't that (then immediately booted me out with no explanation of what it might be instead) but at least I had the knowledge that it wasn't 'worse case' whatever it is.

The other advice I'd give is to keep a diary of symptoms, how bad they are and what you'd been doing. It helps give you an accurate picture if you then return to the doctor. If you don't, certainly for me anyway, you can paint a far blacker or better picture than reality based on the last few days.

Your post said your heart attack was a shock, me too! I was a very keen cyclist beforehand and got 'YOU had a heart attack?' a few times when people found out. If you were active beforehand then I'd recommend a good heart monitor with chest strap. They are expensive but mine gives me the confidence to push to my new maximum bpm. Currently I can't tackle the big hills where I live but slowly I improve even if I'll never get back to my old self, it's great to exercise in confidence.

Dear Katy, I just added a post before reading yours. My mother is almost three weeks post stent procedure and has quite severe pain. Has yours cleared up? I gather that some of the prescribed meds including aspirin can cause bruising - but i am not sure why there is so much pain. The cardiologist said that he had never seen anything like it. How are you now? GH

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to grandehorizontale

Yes the pain has subsided now to a dull ache , I remember saying ouch twice so may have caught something or could be effects of the dye. I do have large bruising around the wrist area. Hope your mothers pain resolves.

MountainGoat52 profile image
MountainGoat52

I can only confirm what others have said in that the pain and bruising does go away. When you think about it, a foreign body inserted up your artery for a certain amount of time is bound to cause some issues. I hope it clears up soon.

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07

Thankyou

IMAGES profile image
IMAGES

Hi KatyBo7, I had two fitted in August, my wrist was swollen and sore for a few days but I didn't experience the bicep pain you described, but then again not everybody is effected the same. I got good advice from Northants Steve when I was concerned about the recovery period progression. And reading his comment below he has given you good advice as well.

As you are new to the sight, be mindful that some comments/advice you may come across can cause you unnecessary stress as not everybody will experience the same symptoms, thesis more prevalent when medication side effects are being commented on. The best advice is " If you are not comfortable with your symptoms, seek professional medical advice".

This site is great for putting your mind at rest knowing there are other people who have experienced similar to what you have.

Take it easy, take your meds, keep smiling, you'll be fine.

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to IMAGES

Thankyou , yes it did put my mind at rest.

HectorsDad profile image
HectorsDad

Important not scare those about to have their first angiogram. It hurts afterwards sometimes- and more likely if you’ve had a few.

I’ve had four, three were ok (2 in wrist, one in groin) bruising, but mostly just uncomfortable. Number 4 did hurt during the procedure and after, but that was because it was the third in the same arm- they had to use a different vein, and the arteries were a bit ‘beaten up’ by the earlier ones. Painful for about two weeks, but worth it 😁

I reckon three out of four is good odds for this.

KatyB07 profile image
KatyB07 in reply to HectorsDad

I agree

Debee28 profile image
Debee28

Hi Katy, sorry to hear about your HA, I'm the same age so know it's a massive shock. Your arm will feel tender from the angioplasty and stent, plus the meds may disrupt your sleep until they settle. I had these too.

My HA was 28th august and had 2 stents but 2nd was only done on 11th november.

This forum was my support line during the early days and continues to be, so feel free to ask away!

Take these early days easy, be kind to yourself xx

Debee

Magmagrose profile image
Magmagrose

Hi katy I had mine last Monday mine is exactly the same think everything is scary for us at present hope your feeling better soon

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