New member. Heart Stents.

[SueMel12]

I had NSTEMI in march.Had a stent fitted in July and 2arteries stretched.2days later had soreness in chest and breathing problems which I've never had before.Has anyone experienced this.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I am unclear but is the soreness and shortness of breath ongoing? By arteries stretched I assume you mean balloon angioplasty. I have had this to my left leg and it does feel slightly sore after - the plaque and any calcification will have been stretched and even cracked (so my surgeon told me). I am sure others who have had the same procedure will be along later.

[SueMel12]

I am still waiting to see cardio con.This far too long in my opinion. The cardio nurse told me they are not doing any stress tests at present due to covid.I haven't seen any cardio doctors since the stent was put in.

[SueMel12]

ANy meds were altered to see if they caused breathlessness,but condition stayed the same.I'm now on aspirin,cloppy and antorvastatin. I had a endoscopy and it was all ok. One of the E.D doctors said it could be plaque build up making heart disease worse.Wait for an out-patients app to see if that's the case. I'm feeling very deflated to say the least it's the not know ing.

[choralsinger in reply to SueMel12]

Hi Sue, I’m 2 months post stents and balloon angioplasty and still having pain in the same area ( slightly left of sternum, upper chest.) It feels like a stab and bad ache. My nurses want to refer me back to my consultant but the waiting times mean this isn’t a reality, so they are putting me on a daily GTN pill instead of the spray. Yet, I’ve researched this and some say it’s quite common after what our hearts have been subjected to and others say it’s not right. My own gp said it would be 2 months before I started to feel the benefit. Like you, feel a bit lost and down. There is an excellent American website called Heart Sisters which I’ve found very helpful.

[SueMel12]

Thank you at least I know I'm not alone. Cardio rehab told me to use my spray before exercise or going up stairs. I've popped ligaments in my chest so my chest sore anyway. I will have a look at that website.

[SueMel12]

I used to get really bad acid reflux,so was already taking lansoprazole after a operation to control it. Pretty good so far as long as I keep to a pill routine.