My husband 46 yrs old, had an angioplasty on Monday. One was in the leg and the other in the arm. At the moment he is very depressed as he will be unable to work, he is a taxi driver and he thinks his badge will be taken off him if he doesn’t pass the stress test in 6 weeks. He is unfit and also thinks he won’t be able to get fit again. Can someone please let me know what the stress test involves and how difficult is it for anyone like my husband. I’m trying to reassure him it will be fine. Also with COVID 19, there probably will be a delay in getting an appointment for the test. He’s keen to start walking to ensure he’s fit enough but I keep telling him he needs to take it easy. Can someone advise on timescale before one can start going to brisk walks and how long should he walk?
Appreciate any advice. Thank you. This is an amazing forum and there is so much support and advice. Thank you everyone.
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Sniy
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when I had my HA and stent fitted last August I found out a taxi driver friend from my 10 pin bowling league had 2 stents fitted 20 years ago and was driving his cab until he retired in January aged 74, so it is not a certainty that you automatically lose your licence.
Thanks TuckBox2, fingers cross he passes his medical.
Why should he take it easy? If he feels like walking let him go.The quicker he gets going the better.The worst thing he can do is sit around all day thinking why me.We all need a little push from time to time.He will know when he needs to rest,so let him go.x
The best advice as to when/how much is going to come from the medics. Does he have someone on that team he can telephone for post-discharge advice, a cardiac nurse or someone like that? If no, he should telephone the GP for advice as to how brisk is brisk for someone who's just had two stents placed.
Everyone is different and only the medics have access to his notes - only those notes have the information needed to determine when and how hard he can push to regain (or gain as you write he's unfit) fitness.
But good on him to want to get walking for fitness - if his medics approve!
Hello and welcome to the forum! The stress test for taxi licences is carried at least 12 weeks post a heart battack and 6 after stents. The test is, I believe, a 9 minute treadmill test. In my heart journey (quadruple) I have been in at least three taxis where the driver had had heart issues. One had had stents and the other two bypasses. The one who had stents said it was an own goal brought about by smoking and junk food every working day.
As regards exercise the others are right he has to speak with his team.
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