Sharp stabbing pains after HA

[Squash1961]

Hi everyone

It’s been nearly 4 weeks since my HA and stent in RCA. I seem to be recovering ok (apart from the anxiety we all go through) but I am getting occasional sharp pains (lasts a second) in my chest particularly if I am exercising. No other symptoms. Does anyone else experience the same?? Any idea what this could be? Thanks

[Ricwat]

I don't know the answer but I would be talking to a health professional.

[Squash1961]

Ok thanks. I have a phone call with my Cardiologist on Monday, just wondered if this was common??

[shopman in reply to Squash1961]

If the pain you experience is similar to what you had when your HA happened then you need to seek help ASAP to be on the safe side. If it just comes and goes straight away then it could be entirely different. Does it last long enough to use a GTN Spray?

[Squash1961 in reply to shopman]

Hi Shopman

The pain is not like when I had the HA, which was constant indigestion/heartburn pain in the chest. These are just short sharp pains every now and then, mainly when I am doing some exercise. I don’t have a GTN spray, but I’ll see what the Cardiologist says on Monday. Could just be the heart healing after the trauma or I have read possibly pericarditis. Thanks

[shopman in reply to Squash1961]

Good sign not like your HA pain. Is it just 1 type of exercise or all exercise which brings it on. May just be everything settling down again but agree you should ask your Cardiologist, in the meantime just take things a bit easier.

[Jack2019 in reply to Squash1961]

I had those pains also while doing rehab. exercise, especially at the beginning. It was like a quick ping and then it was gone. The staff were not concerned, they just continually emphasised staying in you target heart rate zone. By the end of rehab I was not getting them anymore.

[Squash1961 in reply to Jack2019]

Thanks That’s good to hear!

[Outforawalk]

Cardiac rehab nurse said to me (HA 5 weeks ago, 4 stents) sharp pains were common, people describe them as pins rather than the crushing/tight pain of HA. Suppose we need to remember there is internal healing going on and possibly internal bruising too, not helped by blood thinners.

[Squash1961 in reply to Outforawalk]

Thanks. That is re-assuring. I am getting less as time goes on. 4 weeks today for me. I hope you are doing well

[Outforawalk in reply to Squash1961]

Thank you yes I am doing ok I think, obviously it would be better for you to have a chat with your cardiac rehab nurse but hope that gives a bit of reassurance. I’m just finding my way round this forum but it seems very helpful to share experiences and advice.

[Squash1961]

Yes, I’ve got a phone hook up with my Cardiologist today so I have a list of questions for him! Seems that we both were completely surprised with our HA. I was very fit, keen cyclist (200km per week) lots of high intensity training, resting HR 46, BMI 2.1, am a vegan so zero dietary cholesterol (it was 5 last test) low sat fat intake, yet still had a HA (whilst riding) left it 2 days before I went to ER, had blocked RCA, so had initial stent (which re-clogged within 12 hours) then stent replaced. Unfortunately it is genetic and as my Cardiologist said ‘ chose better parents next time’ Mentally I’m finding it challenging, first denial, then anger (why me!) now I guess I’m beginning to accept the fact it happened. Still get anxious about any slight twinge or pain in chest. I get a soreness in my left arm, but apparently all of this is quite normal. No cardio rehab at moment due to Covid 19 but I’m using the indoor trainer to try and build up gradually. Lots of support on this forum thankfully, take care

[Outforawalk in reply to Squash1961]

Hope you got some reassurance from your cardiologist?

[Squash1961 in reply to Outforawalk]

Hi Outforawalk

Yes, I had a phone call with the Cardiologist who said that those sharp pains, slight palpitations and heart skipping were common during recovery. I just need to keep my heart rate below the level where I get the pains when I’m doing exercise. The aches in the left arm are not usual, but said that it is unlikely it is anything to do with the heart since the RCA was completely cleared and there is no significant build up of plaque in any other arteries. So all good news. It’s funny but I woke up this morning feeling a lot better and far more positive. It’s amazing what some re-assurance can do for anxiety! Hope all is going well for you. Thanks

[Outforawalk in reply to Squash1961]

That’s great news, a little bit of reassurance goes a long way towards helping the mind! I’m doing ok thanks, a few niggles this weekend and like everyone else it’s all new and can be worrying. Keep on the right track! All the best

[russino1]

Its now 6 weeks since my HA (2 stents and angioplasty) and I still get the very odd twinge and isolated pain (doesnt last long) , but its so much beter than it was after weeks 2/3.

I havent even thought of using the GTS spray for 4 weeks. (I usually even forget to take it our with me !)

Take it easy when doing things (starting). I started out too fast and was doing too much (6-7KM walks, with some decent hills involved) and after 5 days of this o the trot, I had a bad day - with chest pains and quite a bit of discomfort. I have now reigned it in over the past week (30-40mins a day and at a more gentle pace) and feel much better for it.

I'll plan to up this once a week (to add in a 6/7KM walk) and d that for 3/4 weeks and then twice a week for another 2/3 weeks and then main aim is to add some jogging in - hopefuly by end May (even if for just 200m at first)

slow and steady wins the race...

all the best

[Squash1961 in reply to russino1]

Thanks russino1, great advice !