It’s a year today I had HA . My daughter brought me a heart shaped container of flowers to celebrate one year on. I’ve also stopped the anti platelet Prasugrel.
I’ve struggled with the meds for the year but I feel anxious all the same not taking this any more.
Some people are given them for a year some others have them longer. I don’t really understand why some carry on longer. I havnt been able to get much out of my doctor.
I feel anxious that I won’t have them to rely on to keep the dreaded plaque at bay. I’m still on aspirin , just have to hope that that will be enough.
I wonder if there are any other nutty people like me out there that want to hang in to stomach upsets and bruises?
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Fynndog
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How thoughtful of your Daughter and what a loving thing she did I bet that made you feel special
As for nutty people out there I think I am the nuttiest ever
I had 3 heart attacks starting back in Oct and last one March then Bypass surgery
I looked om my Doctors notes the other day and saw a comment about I might stop that med in Oct I think it is still under review but then went on to say if it was stopped they would increase my Aspirin what I take
When I read it like you part of me thought it would be nice to drop that med then as soon as I thought that I felt panic as I suppose while I am taking it then I feel I am getting some protection
My Rehab nurse keeps trying to drill into me everyone is different regarding recovery , when certain meds need to be stopped or increased and so on and that I should stop comparing myself to others ( I think I send her crazy doing so ) to trust the Doctors and Consultants know what they are doing and they base their decision on all different factors
So I would know doubt say they must think there is no risk you stopping that med now and enjoy your milestone of your 1st year Anniversary with many more to come and enjoy x
Thank you for your kind reply. You certainly have had your share of problems which seem to be under control now. As to trusting consultants and doctors they did a wonderful job in saving my life but I havnt seen one cardiologist since sept last year.
I’ve had one phone call in June which makes me wonder how they can possibly know anything about my current situation.
Never mind it is what it is and I have to just trust that it will all be well, as we all have to.
You are lucky to have the cardio rehab team still .My team I never saw because of lockdown and only spoke to them 4 times during the worst months after the HA. I would have liked to have had the classes to go to.
Anyway thanks for your interest wishing you the best of health xx
I am sorry to hear you did not have much support after your heart attack
Usually we have a Rehab Nurse that keeps in contact so not good if you did not even get that
I hope your Doctor has followed you up
I had my first heart attack Oct then another Feb then March which resulted in the triple Bypass 7 weeks ago so I am not sure if that is why I got a little more in been followed up
But as you had a heart attack a year ago and had no more problems I do remember after my first one them saying I would come of that med after a year at that stage I suppose no one knew what was install with the rest that happened so I am sure it is protocol
But you could always phone your Doctor and mention your concern and maybe ask now you are coming of it do you need to increase the dose of Aspirin if you are taking it ?
I would try and get to speak with your Doctor for your own peace of mind x
Oh dear you did have an awful time. 3 HA on the trot. I hope the bypass has worked and you are getting better. Yes I will have to chase the medics . That all we want as you say peace of mind no matter how silly our fears may seem,. I don’t feel quite so silly now knowing you have been looking at reducing some if your meds. With time you will no doubt. Thanks for caring xxx
Yes recovering is really hard because we don’t know what to expect. I felt very abandoned in the early days. Then I got in touch with cardio rehab and at least there was someone to ask if things weren’t right.I also rang BHF nurse she was wonderful.
Her name was Dee. She put me right.
Anyway lots if good health to you and I will let you know. Xxx
I've looked back at your earlier posts and see that you've had 3 stents.
The majority of stents used are drug eluting stents which are coated with medication that is slowly released (eluted) to help prevent the growth of scar tissue in the artery lining. This helps the artery remain smooth and open, ensuring good blood flow. People who have drug-eluting stents need to take medications, such as clopidogrel or ticagrelor, to reduce the risk of stent clotting for at least one year after the stent is inserted. This is normally for 1 year, after which the risk of scar tissue is considered to be very small, although the medication can sometimes be prescribed for up to 3 years. After 1 year you will normally go down to taking aspirin, this is very much standard procedure for anyone who has been stented.
As far as I'm aware anti platelet medication such as clopidogrel or ticagrelor is only prescribed for the reason above, it does not have any effect on plaque. Not sure on this but I think they are prescribed for 3 years for people who have pre-existing cardiovascular issues
Thanks for that useful piece of info. I just wondered why I’ve read people staying on anti platelets for 3/4 years and not me. Now I know.It’s always good to get information otherwise your in the dark. As I told you I’ve had very little help this last year but I suppose lots of us have been in the same situation.
Well at least I won’t have so many bruises now. Xx
I am on Plavix (anti platelet) for life after a discussion with cardiologist. Aspirin caused me lots of issues and I was instructed to take a PPI with the aspirin, I am not willing to take a PPI for life, so I continue with Plavix and don't take aspirin. Plavix (Clopidogrel) is expensive compared to aspirin, so I assume that is why aspirin is prescribed for life, they do pretty much the same in helping to reduce the risk of another event, in my opinion.
From what I understand, the medications that do seem to have an effect on arteries are beta blockers like bisoprolol, which open up the arteries, and statins, which in high enough doses can (in theory, maybe also in practice) reverse some plaque buildup. health.clevelandclinic.org/...
Now, I am on a cocktail of meds after stents, SCA, HA -- so I completely share your concern. I had theSCA + HA after stents, I was only on statins + aspirin when it happened. My cardiologist tried to convince me that it was totally unrelated to my first stents -- rogue plaque in another artery -- but I have no idea as to how to evaluate that statment. So I'm basically just trusting in medication and if any were taken away I'd be very worried. Please do try to get as much info as you can and just be a general pain in the a** to your doctor!
Yes I felt exactly the same after one year. Remember it’s not plaque that antiplatelets fight, it’s potential blood clotting which may occur at the sight of the stent. This clotting is possible in the first few months so they give you the anti clotting drug presurgrel for a year. After this time the chances of this clotting is greatly reduced as the body has got used to the stent. Also remember there were health risks from the side effects with presurgrel . You will be on other drugs which fight the plaque, it wasn’t the job of presurgrel … You are better off without them, continue the celebration
Thank you Peter piper. That is really good to know. You gave clarified very concisely what I needed to hear. Day to day celebrations now , just being here is a bonus xxx
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