38yo heart attack and stent

[GABaracus]

Hi I recently had a heart attack (last week) and was fitted with a stent. My right artery was 99% blocked. I am quite shocked I had a heart attack so young and want to do anything and everything to not have it happen again. I am a little over weight, have only ever done exercise with walking and previously had a very uneven diet. One minute I would eat healthy, the next minute I would not. I also tend to lie down a lot, watching TV for hours etc.

I am trying my best to think positive and return to a normal life, but the thing that worries me the most is the report says my LAD also has 1-49% (mild to moderate) stenosis with plaque in the artery.

I wonder why this wasn’t corrected with a stent also and I worry that this will lead to a fatal heart attack down the line, before I even see 40.

Any advice or help would be much appreciated!

[Chappychap]

"I wonder why this wasn’t corrected with a stent also and I worry that this will lead to a fatal heart attack down the line"

A stent in itself doesn't provide a long term fix for atherosclerosis. It can open up an artery in one very specific location in order to relieve the symptoms of angina, and it can provide life saving help for someone in the throes of a heart attack.

The mild to moderate stenosis in your LAD isn't a candidate for a stent, you'd almost certainly need over 80% blockage before you'd feel any symptoms of angina in your LAD.

Rather than more stenting you're better off focussing on life style improvements, most crucially stopping smoking/nicotine, getting your weight well within BMI guidelines, eating a healthy "Mediterranean" diet, managing your stress, exercising for at least 150 minutes every week, reducing alcohol to moderate levels, etc.

Good luck!

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi GABaracus

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear that you've had a heart attack, it is a huge shock at any age but especially at a younger age.

The partially blocked LAD is something that can be managed with medicine and lifestyle changes.

You'll hear the advice below a lot in the future, but for lifestyle changes you need to:-

If you smoke, stop.

Limit your consumption of alcohol

Adopt a Mediterranean type diet, have a look at the link bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo... from the BHF as regards a healthy diet.

If your BMI is above 25, try and loose some weight to get your BMI is the good range. Exercise - this one is going to be a bit of a problem at the moment as there's no cardio rehab sessions due to corona virus, but hopefully you might get an initial appointment with cardio rehab and they'll be able to make some suggestions - but definitely stop watching tv for hours and have a walk instead

All the above sounds like a big ask, and to be honest it is, it means a total change to your lifestyle, but it can be done, there are lots of people on this forum who have done it and are living well.

Best wishes

[080311]

Hi, so sorry you have had to face what as happened to you at such a young age, we have a number of people on the forum like you and I am sure they will be a long to give you the benefit of how they have found things.

Firstly your body and mind as been through a big trauma so be kind to yourself. The thoughts that you have whirling in your mind is the same as most of us here in this very special club have had!! Look at the Mediterranean diet that is recommended by British Heart Foundation, lots of us follow that one. You should be doing cardio rehab in a little while but with the current situation things seem to have stopped, if you have been given a cardiac nurse ask what you can do at home. If not have a word with your GP. There are some exercises on YouTube cardio rehab but not before you are told to start. Remember life will be good again but it will take time.

I wish you good luck and best wishes Pauline

[GABaracus in reply to 080311]

I know this may sound like an excuse, but I struggle with doing things by myself at home, especially in regards to exercise.

For anything above brisk walking? I really need to be around people and being monitored to motivate myself to do the exercise properly.

I also suffer from Asperger’s and OCD.

[080311 in reply to GABaracus]

With the current situation with the virus, going to a rehab class doesn’t look likely, have a look on line. But talk to your GP before you start. It’s a really difficult situation for you at the moment but it will get easier.

Walking is a really good exercise, just remember to keep your distance from other people.

[GABaracus]

I’ve never smoked or drank alcohol in 20 years. I’ve always been very health conscious there.

It’s usually diet choices and lack of considerable exercise. I’ve only ever done basic walking.

Going back to my LAD, I worry my artery will block up quickly within the year before I have any real chance to do anything. As has been said, the Corona virus is not making things any easier either.

Some other things, I have low Vitamin D (I’ve stopped supplements for now) and I have regular injections (every 3 months) for B12 deficiency.

I have read some reports that you shouldn’t get B12 injections whilst on aspirin, also they can cause a stent to block again if you get it after a procedure.

My injection is due 7th April and naturally I’m hesitant to get it, even though I know I need it. It’s very hard to know what to do sometimes.

My father is 66 with heart failure but has yet to have a heart attack. I honestly don’t understand exactly what I did wrong here.

My drugs I’m on are:

Lansoprazole 9am (30 mins before food)

Bisoprolol Fumarate 9:30am

ticagrelor 12pm

Aspirin (with food) 6:15pm

Ramiprill 6:15pm

ticagrelor midnight

Atorvastatin midnight

That’s how I’ve been taking them since I got out of hospital.