Stitch like pain

[Fairweather1]

Hi everyone, this is my first post and hope someone can help.

I had HA widowmaker out of the blue last Nov and had two stents fitted. I didn’t have any health problems or issues prior to that. I am 67.

I now walk daily and average 2 miles a day. Since HA I get intense pain around my abdomen and ribs (a bit like stitch) if I have climbed any sort of incline. This really knocks me and I suffer for several days.

I did mention to GP and my statin was reduced from 80mg to 40mg. The stitch has happened again since the reduction in dosage. Can walking up hills do this after 3 months?

I would really appreciate any advice.

[-007-]

I had a heart attack December 2006. For several years before that I had increasing breathlessness walking up hills, as well as other things like coughing, I was tested many times and told I had borderline asthma.After my heart attack I was on 40 mg statins and had five stents fitted. Once I recovered from that I was able to run up hills whilst pumping my arms to do my cardio workout (my borderline asthma miraculously disappeared ).

Around eight months after having the stents I started getting breathless walking up hills again. I was getting burning in my windpipe and a pinching of my throat above my collar bone.

When this happened I tried my GTN and the burning in my windpipe and pinching of throat went away.

I also found that when I reached the top of the hill and started walking down hill the problem went away.

I was sent for another angiogram. This resulted in statins increased from 40 to 80 mg and having a quintuple (5) bypass.

I was 63 when I had the heart attack and always been quite active, even when I had the borderline asthma which turned out to be angina.

So, do you carry GTN? If so have you taken it to see if the pain around your abdomen and ribs goes away.

If your still having the problem should you go back to 80 mg of statins?

Personally, I’d make sure and explore all possibilities of your pain whilst walking up inclines. Better to be safe than sorry.

Maybe ask to see a cardiologist again.

[Fairweather1 in reply to -007-]

Thanks for all the info. I do carry my spray but haven’t used it, will try if it happens again. I am due to see cardiologist (first time) in March.

[-007- in reply to Fairweather1]

👍

[Heartinthehills]

Hi Fair-weather1. It is 7 years since my incident and stenting aged 64 so difficult to remember all the immediate after effects. Daily walks were my way of recovering and still give the best results in maintaining fitness. Any incline still slows me down and I remember having to stop for breath in the early months but don't remember any stomach pains back then. Could be you just need to get your breath back as well at this stage of recovery. I find that warming up by walking slowly and on the flat to start with helps me manage steeper slopes later but you will probably always be more out of breath than before your incident and just need to manage your pace and stop for breath when you need to. I still do full day walks with the Ramblers and also manage walking up serious mountains again at a slower pace than before. I kept on the medications first prescribed and still on 80mg Atorvastatin. If you still have pains after trying things a bit slower worth talking to your GP or phoning the BHF free cardiac support line to talk to a specialist nurse.

[Fairweather1 in reply to Heartinthehills]

Thank you so much for the advice. I didn’t know about the helpline, will give them a call. My GP barely knows me! It’s very encouraging to read your story.

[Ianc2 in reply to Fairweather1]

Hi FairweatherBefore you tackle the hills try extending your range. Find a flat path or two, stick your phone in your pocket have a go at steady attempt to extend your range and pace. Try using two walking poles and have a go at nordic walking.

I am 76, I walk every day and do about 8 - 10,000 steps . If its a good day might even get up to 12000 steps. BUT it has taken me a few years to get to this happy state. My wife has had a really good look at the diet we eat and now have a fairly low carb , very varied Mediterranean type diet.

I get my blood checked regularly to keep an eye on blood sugars, electrolytes and triglycerides. As a result of all this, my weight has dropped down into my BMI range.

With regard to statins , there are three different types, so you have room to change, If you want to have an interesting read type in 'Statin wars' in google.

[Fairweather1 in reply to Ianc2]

Hi Ian, thank you so much for your advice, I do have walking poles (in the garage) and will dust them off and give a try. I am thoroughly enjoying my walks but nervous about getting the pain again. I will take your advice and build my range.Best wishes.

Lena