Heart Twinges after physical activity

[gsw5700]

I had 3 stents fitted after MI in April last year. Every now and then, I get twinges in my heart. I this is normal and nothing to worry about. I cycle at least 5 days a week for 6 miles, HR up to 130 with no issues.

My concern is, after being very active over the weekend, house clearing, I am having more twinges than usual. Basically, I had them yesterday evening and again after waking up today. I get a twinge for a few seconds, they happen every 5 to 10 mins.

I've never had to use my GTN spray before but thought I'd try it, I've had 3 sprays of GTN spray and this has helped as twinges have now gone!

My watch tells me my ECG is normal, my pulse is low 50s BP is a little high at 130/75

Do I need to be concerned? Is this me getting angina for the first time due to vigorous physical activity?

Any feedback greatly appreciated

[gsw5700]

Thank you for your reply, I will raise this with the doctor

[Heartinthehills]

Hi gsw. I have 3 stents after a MI and cardiac arrest 7 years ago and am now again very active like you although I can't get above 120bpm when exercising. I have twinges particularly after any physical domestic activity, decorating, gardening etc. A sit down and rest usually sorts it out and I have not used the Gtn spray. Steady aerobic activity doesn't seem to effect me and I have managed 10 hours mountain bike and hillwalking days without twinges. Bending stretching and lifting and irregular exercise can bring on my twinges. Previous advice to check with your GP sounds sensible if you are concerned or it gets worse.

[gsw5700 in reply to Heartinthehills]

Great information, it's weird how we can cycle and get no twinges, but lifting, stretching etc brings on twinges.Question is.. what causes these twinges? Can they be ignored? Hopefully, someone may offer an explanation. I'm not seeing doctor until 15th !

[Smileyian]

I wonder if your "twinges" are the same as my (I call electric shocks) that last only a second or so. I have had them for 2 years now but not every day.

[pjw17]

Hello gswI had HA and 1 stent fitted last May, previously I was very fit and active. When I exercise outside on bike or indoors I seem to be fine, but lifting light weights brings on twinges. The first time it happened I went to AE they did several tests and said it was muscular, I do have a long standing pectoral injury from weight training years ago. Doc seems to think it's arthritis in there, currently under MSK.

Good luck.

[Newmarket1]

i get this too...i think it is muscular more than the heart itself...always in back of mind thou

[Walking_Cycling]

Hi I had two stents fitted in Dec 20 due to restricted arteries which caused a HA. I cycled or walked most days before this event and I considered myself above average fitness for a man for my age (66). Since the stents I have been doing, mild aerobics as suggested by the cardio nurses. This I can do without any problems.

Over the weekend I did some DIY cutting hammering etc and since then I have had very odd twinges in my chest.

I went to the Doc yesterday, he did an ECG and blood pressure tests and concluded everything was normal and the cause of the problem was muscular that I had been over doing it and that I should rest. Twinges have subsided but I want to do things and I am finding this frustrating as I am not very good at sitting still all day. Maybe the DIY has to stop!

[JK5AEO in reply to Walking_Cycling]

At last, I have the ultimate excuse for refusing to do DIY! I too get twinges from that sort of activity.JK

[-007-]

I’ve had five stents and five bypasses. I’ve done the cardio rehab through the NHS twice. Advice I had and what I understood was...

If you’re going to do exercise make sure to warm up first and cool down after.

Never go straight in to physical exertion immediately.

If you go to pick something and you have to take a breath to lift it then it’s too heavy. Get help.

To go straight into immediate exertion it sends like a tidal wave of blood through your arteries. Not good if your arteries are narrowed, your muscles or heart is not going to get the blood they require. Not good if a clot breaks off.

Cooling down after being physical stops ankles swelling and puts less strain on your heart.

I may have not explained this correctly or used the correct jargon but suffice to say it’s important to build up to and cool down after any physical activity and think if something is going to be too heavy for you now.

That seems to work for me.

👍

[gsw5700]

Many thanks everyone again for providing great feedback based on your own experiences. In summary, steady aerobic exercise such as cycling and walking is fine, irregular physical activities such as DIY, gardening, lifting, carrying, hammering etc must be treated with caution, you must warm up before and cool down after. Twinges are probably muscular and not caused by angina otherwise I'm guessing you would experience issues whilst actually performing the exercise.

My cardiac nurse has responded which agrees stating, "

I am sure the twinges you felt could be down to the house move and using muscles not often used! There is no indication that they are related to your heart, you will be more aware of twinges and aches since your MI and that is normal. It will in time go as your confidence increases around your recovery. Do discuss it with your GP when you speak to him, I am sure he will think the same"

Thanks again all.