Chest tightness

[Spinqueen59]

Hello. I’m a few months down the line from having a Stent in LAD . Totally unexpected as suddenly started having angina after exercise .. just two months later the chest tightness started and has never improved. It decreases slightly on rest and even a conversation lasting more than 15 minutes increases it as does a 10 minute walk and I get neck pain and my left arm goes warm. I used to cycle but after 5 mins I have to stop use my GTN rest-and continue .. and so forth. I had a ct scan with dye which confirmed the stent was all good , had mild distal left main stem disease and signs of plaque, I,m due to have a stress test in a couple weeks to check there’s no sign of myocardial ischaemia .

Im so frustrated but don’t suffer with anxiety or stress and just want answers and some relief from the tightness .

Any advice will be greatful and can somebody tell me how long I’d have to walk on the treadmill in the stress test

Thankyou all ..

[Hatchjd]

The full test lasts 12 minutes getting gradually faster to jogging speed around 9 -10 minutes.

I made it to 6 minutes pre-stent when it was stopped for significant EKG changes due to ischemia. I had no chest pain and thought I was doing fine. An angiogram and stents followed 2 days later.

I had burning chest discomfort and various weird pains in my arms, jaw and between my shoulders following the stents. In the first couple of weeks, I could barely walk to the end of the street.

The stress test was repeated 1-month post stent before I was allowed to start rehab.

I made it to 10 1/2 minutes which was running pace and had to stop as I was out of puff. I had no EKG changes and was told my discomfort wasn't cardiac-related.

I continued to have the pains for about 12-15 months becoming less frequent and milder as time passed. I am almost 18 months post stent and I haven't experienced any pains or twinges in the past 2 months. I am 63 y/o female.

Everyone with chest discomfort should follow up with their physician or cardiac nurse. I did have some medication changes, a 24 halter monitor, and saw a GI consultant to try to diagnose the cause of the discomfort.

In retrospect, in my case, I think I had a prolonged period of the stents settling.

[Spinqueen59 in reply to Hatchjd]

Thanks for the reply. I think I’m already having palpitations just thinking of the running ha. Up until the stent I was a 5 times a week gym addict . Which due to this prob plus COVID has completely stopped that activity , would love to be back to the fitness level where I did a 6 hours back to back spin for charity . I’ve learned to listen to the body this year but would still love to get through a say with chest tightness and pains .

[Hatchjd in reply to Spinqueen59]

Pre stent I was circuit training 3 x week with a small group and a trainer. I have not returned as it has been closed since February and it has taken time for me to be comfortable mentally with lifting anything heavy. Now up to 3 shopping bags at once

I also was fearful of the post stress test. I never had chest pain pre stent only after. I was convinced something was damaged. Strangely, as my heart rate rose on the treadmill and the speed got faster I felt better and better and I had no chest discomfort at all. They took my heart rate up to 160 and I was able to jog/run for @ 2 minutes before I ran out of puff. It was reassuring to be able to do this. I now cycle 10-12 miles daily and plan to return to the gym once the covid caper has gone and be very sensible with the weight

[11walking22 in reply to Hatchjd]

Wow well done with cycling and attitude I hope to complete my Mighty Hike for Macmillan next year 26 miles in the Lake District so after a angioplasty 30th October today I did a 25 minute walk and was ok small steps still getting a little discomfort in my left side of chest but I put it down to the stent settling but will speak to my cardiologist tomorrow 💪💪💪