Angioplasty at age 28

[Alexa445]

Hello!My partner sufferd a heart attack on 7 this month.They saved his life with an angioplasty,and place him 2 stents.I cant even believe this just happened,he is only 28 years old.He now changed his lifestyle,he quit smoking,and start eating healthy food,he start rehabilitation as well.Im still panicked because i dont know what we should do for so that will not happen again.What is the chance for him to live a normal long life?Thank you.I would like to hear more stories and some advice would be great.

[Debee28]

Hi

I'm so sorry, it's quite a shock and very early days for you both. Read through the posts on here and ask all the questions you need too!

I had a HA end of august 2019 and two stents, I'm now back at work and if I compare where I am now to 6 weeks ago. I have more energy and less thoughts of the episode.

My partner attended cardio rehab with me (spent every day in tears) just to support me, so do ask if you can attend too.

It is incredibly hard but take heed at all the hearties on this site and it will get better

Debee

[Heythrop51]

One of the HeartStars has posted about someone who is over 40 years post bypass. The message seems to be make the lifestyle changes, keep to them and adhere to the medication plan. I suspect dealing with the shock will be the hardest part.

[pauljameshome]

It sounds like he is doing all the right things in his changes in lifestyle. I have 3 stents and live a full and active life. Rehab was really useful and I took all their advice on board. Eat healthier, exercise more, take the meds and be positive. Life will be good!

[Clerkenweller]

I think all of us here can understand the shock. However if your partner changes his life style (all the usual things:no smoking, little alcohol, weight reduction through healthy diet and regular exercise) he can look forward to a long and healthy life. There are excellent booklets available from the BHF giving really sensible advice. The only area which will take some time and can (but not always) cause difficulties is getting the drug regime right. If there are problems don’t hesitate to discuss with the cardiologist or GP. You can always talk to the BHF specialist nurse or, heaven help you, seek advice from us lot. Good luck!

[Alexa445]

Thank's to all of you for your replays, really helps me a lot.He is very strong pshisicaly and mentaly as well,he got really scared with all this situation and he understand that he need to change many things..we will go together to rehab and after that we will ask if he can do swimming or gym...he is very optimistic person so i hope everything will be back to normal soon.Thanks a lot

[Andyman]

I had my HA 8 years ago in 2 weeks time. Heart stopped 5 times and needed bypass but would not have survived the op so they tried stents as a last resort and it worked. Never been fitter. Lots of exercise good diet keep weight down. And live. Signed off by Cardiologist 2 years after. I still think about it all the time but don't feel it's imminent all the time anymore. Once I did the best things for my body to cope my mental issues were harder to sort but with a little councelling and Mindfulness that under control too. Be positive and support and don't smother them.

[Alexa445 in reply to Andyman]

This stories makes me feel better because it is a really huge shock especially when i know that during our 8 years together he got flu only 1 time about 6 years ago,he never got sick,he not even take tablets for headache.But smoking kill people thats a fact.Thank you so much for your replay and your encouragement,it helps me a lot.

[Andyman in reply to Alexa445]

My cardiologist said it was 75% smoking. 10% over weight. 10% lack of exercise and stress 5%. But I am convinced that it was work stress that tipped it over the threshold. But I have put all those issues away now and can do no more.

[Alexa445]

I forgot to say sorry about my bad english.

[Hatchjd]

My brother had a heart attack at 36 & 40 y/o This was followed by a CABG in 1995. His heart is still doing fine although he now has lung issues as he never stopped smoking. 😳

[Alexa445 in reply to Hatchjd]

Wow,its been 25 years since then.I hope he will stop smoking soon.

[Alexa445]

I wanna know if some of you could tell me,how often we will go to cardiologyst?🤔🤔

[Hatchjd in reply to Alexa445]

I last saw the cardiologist at discharge the day after the stents and was referred back to my GP who said to come back in a year unless I had problems. I did see the cardiac nurse in the following 3 months for a repeat stress test, a 24 hour BP study and a medication change during the rehab phase. She said if I had problems going forward I could call her or email her.

[OldHippy]

Hi Alexa - I had an appointment with cardiologist 3 months post heart attack and stent. I have a feeling it will be the last, though I don't know. If they are happy with progress, I think they rely on monitoring by GP.

[Alexa445 in reply to OldHippy]

Hi!Thank you for your time to replay.I would feel more safe with the cardiologist,but we will see...i hope everything will be alright...your heart attack was long time ago?

[OldHippy]

It was 4 months ago. I'm now reliant on the GP surgery, however I'm struggling to get them to monitor the medication correctly - you have to be assertive to ensure you get the regular blood tests that are required! I know what you mean about preferring the cardiologist. Your partner should be offered a place on a Cardio Rehab Course, which consists of monitoring, exercise and informative talks by nurses.

I think the thing to remember is that there is only one person who knows their body better than anyone else can, and that is the 'patient'. So I always trust my body - I currently experience nausea, fatigue and aches and pains in my arms, neck and face. I put most of this down to psychosomatic reasons, and also the side effects of medication. If your partner is anything like me, he's gone from 0 medications to 7 very powerful medications, and each one of us reacts differently. Our bodies can get used to them to some extent, but they can be quite vicious also.

[Alexa445 in reply to OldHippy]

I am so surprised that he is feeling like he never had this problem..he dont have any side effects of medication yet,its been 3 weeks since then..he already started cardiac rehab,tomorow it will be the second class there...and he find really helpful..after that i hope we will start maybe swimming or gym..we need to keep us active and fit

[OldHippy in reply to Alexa445]

I think his young age is probably hugely helpful to him, and yes, fitness and activity are great (build it up tho!). Best wishes to you both!

[Alexa445 in reply to OldHippy]

Yes,maybe that's why.Best wishes to you too😊

[Bonsai99990]

I'm 21, but can tell you my father, 47, just had stent 3 mos back in LAD--90% occlusion. I'm premed 3rd yr, but NOT A DOCTOR. (I asked many questions and cardiologists--especially interventional cardiologists--they don't necessarily like that but they don't intimidate me.) The news I got is all good: latest drug-eluting stents, are very effective and some studies show they're as good as CABG (bypass). I don't know the specifics of your partner's case, but the fact that he was treated early is excellent. Stents will sometimes last a lifetime: but it's very important your partner addresses whatever predisposing issues necessitated his procedure. It sounds like he's doing that. Also, much of the research I've read about my father's case, shows a normal life expectancy. There IS a statistically VERY SMALL potential for what's called RESTENOSIS--in which case a stent can re-occlude (clog up again). Your partner's undoubtedly on medications to help prevent that (My father is on Brilinta). Again I don't know what your partner's diagnosis was, but I would say it's a good sign they could handle the problem with a PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention--or stents) procedure as opposed to bypass graft. Again I am not a physician, but from my research you have every reason to be extremely hopeful of a good outcome. My father has had to make radical changes in his diet his lifestyle. But no limitations. This is good! The best of luck!

[Alexa445 in reply to Bonsai99990]

Thanks for your replay.He radicaly changed as well his lifestyle,including diet,exercise,quit smoking(after more than 10 years).He is noi going to cardiac rehab and he start work aswell(light duties).I hope everything will be allright because i got some anxiety and panic attack since...Sometimes the food is the biggest challenge for him because he use to it everything he wanted to(Especially pork meat and lots of eggs and fast food)..now he is eating only vegetables and turkey breast,chiken brest and fruits...Best wishes to you and your father!