Uncomfortable after stents

[Ashleytown]

My husband had a heart attack at the beginning of November and had an emergency stent fitted. He then had 2 more fitted as a planned procedure. Since then he has had a few episodes of an uncomfortable feeling in his chest, completely different to the heart attack, but which have resulted in hospital admissions. He has now been prescribed half a nitrate tablet daily which has helped a little but occasionally he still gets this sensation. He takes his spray and then he’s ok but it’s worrying me something silly. He’s had the blood tests, chest X-rays and ecgs and all are normal. I’ve read elsewhere about settling pains after stents. Is this likely to be what these twinges are?

[Badger24]

It takes a little while for them to settle in.he might need more nitrate tablets I take 10 different ones a day I have unstable angina.try not to worry .

[Ashleytown in reply to Badger24]

Thank you for replying. I’m sure this is what it is but the least little twinge and we both go in a complete panic which I know doesn’t help.

[Badger24 in reply to Ashleytown]

My wife is the same she worries about me all the time.you can’t help it

[Ashleytown in reply to Badger24]

Well if she ever had any tips on how not to panic, please let me know 😀. Thanks again you’ve been a big help.

[Badger24 in reply to Ashleytown]

You are welcome 🤣

[Badger1955 in reply to Badger24]

Take the GTN spray if pain goes it’s the angina. Mine is less prevalent now but don’t be afraid to spray

[Ashleytown in reply to Badger1955]

Thanks. We’ve had conflicting advice from health professionals with this: one said take it as and when and another said only if it’s really bad. You’ve been a great help 😀

[Badger1955 in reply to Ashleytown]

My cardiologist and the matron in charge of cardio rehab both told me off for hesitating. If you use it and it isn’t angina then it takes away that worry plus the GTN doesn’t do any harm just makes your armies open up. Bit like putting nitrous oxide in your car fuel system!

[Ashleytown in reply to Badger1955]

😀👍

[Hidden]

Ashley I had my stents in Aug 20 but still occasionally feel weird and heavy in chest. In the beginning I had 3 admissions due to similar issues your husband having. It is anxiety and settling of stents which will take 2-3 months to normalize.

Don't worry all will be well in due course. My advise to you take one day at a time and things will improve

[Ashleytown in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I’m sure this is the problem but no one actually said that this might happen. It’s only where I’ve looked online that I’ve realised this is a ‘thing’. I wish we’d been told to expect this.

[Hidden in reply to Ashleytown]

Well if doctors tell this how people will get under knife. Plz be mindful of side effects of plavix, statins and beta blockers and other blood pressure medicines as well. They make you feel awful in first 2-3 months till body get use to them. The stomach issues on DAPT is very common and stomach gases sometimes mimic cardiac symptoms as it was in my case. I cant tolerate statins so I am not taking them at all. Don't worry your husband will be fine in 2-3 months and all this will be a bad memory

[Lizbeth61]

Hello Ashley I had a stent fitting in September and like your husband for about a month afterwards was experiencing chest pain. It’s perfectly natural to be worried about every little twinge. I can tell you now three months on and the strange pains and sensations have gone. My cardiologist put me on lansoprazole too as sometimes the aspirin can cause heartburn type pains. Good luck

[Ashleytown in reply to Lizbeth61]

Thank you. It does seem to be common and the discomfort is not at all like the heart attack he suffered. He is finding it hard going from an active builder who walked regularly to someone who can only do 20 minutes or so walking. Every time he gets this sensation he is reluctant to go out the following day. It’s a very difficult time for us, as it is got a lot of people. I find it hard to think that just a few weeks ago our life was relatively normal - now we’ve been turned upside down and given a good shake!

[Lizbeth61 in reply to Ashleytown]

I know exactly how you feel. Same with me. I thought I was fit and healthy. Running three times a week don’t really sit still and then boom heart disease. Luckily I didn’t have a heart attack but was very close to one apparently. The thing is exercise is a big part of his recovery. I can guarantee he will soon feel better. Another month or so he will feel more like his normal self. Take care

[Soulmusic61]

Hi Ashley, I too had an emergency stent fitted in July and have had various problems with medication and pain around sternum area with hospital admissions ...I genuinely thaught is this how my life is going to be, a fear of just having a normal life due to anxiety and just not getting any better but I can say now after 5 months I am feeling fairly normal. As people say you have to give your body and mind time to rest and adjust . I'm sure your life together with resume I do hope he feels better soon it certainly is a journey .... eat well exercise gradually and sleep well .....I never thaught I would get there but I have and so will he . :0)

[Ashleytown in reply to Soulmusic61]

That’s a really heartening reply - thank you so much. The hospital originally told him it would take 6 months to feel ‘normal’ again but he poo pooed that and thought it would take a couple of weeks. A friend of his had a heart attack and stent fitted and was back at work in a week so that doesn’t help! I’m assuming the uncomfortableness gets less and with longer good days in between?

[Soulmusic61 in reply to Ashleytown]

Of course... he will get up one day and feel great if he's like me he will overdo it on that day lol but then will probably have to rest the next day, I really thaught Ashley that my life was over but time is a great healer and you have to have patience . :0)

[tizz1]

Hiya I had 2 stents fitted in 2011 and another three last year 20th December the first ones where fine i went back to work a week later but the last ones it took a little time to get over i was very tired for a few weeks after tired and pains in my chest and couldnt walk far but after about 2 month i started to feel better i can walk briskly now for quit some distance and feel loads better the best i have felt for years so hopefully alls well on your end have a great xmas and a happy new year

[Ashleytown in reply to tizz1]

Thank you. His first one was fine, it has been the planned ones which have caused the discomfort. But mainly it’s the fear and panic which are so hard. He doesn’t always tell me when he’s uncomfortable because he goes to want me to worry but that makes it worse.....