Post stent feelings

[ScottL]

Hi all, first post, and not sure if many will see it, or reply. Anyway, around a month ago after suffering chest pains when exercising, I was told I had exertional angina, was given the wee spray, which helped

However, a few weeks later, I was starting to have chest pains when doing nothing strenuous, and would wake up feeling like I was choking. One morning 2 weeks ago I was in agony, chest felt like the face hugger alien was about to burst out, got rushed to hospital.

No heart attack, phew I thought, but as close to one as possible, ECG was spiking randomly, got Echo scan, thankfully no muscle damage either, after 7 nights in hospital and a load of different pills I went for angiogram, which unlike everyone else it seems, I found quite sore.

Got two stents and discharged the next day

That was 8 days ago and I am feeling much better, managing to do some excercise again, and up till now have not had to use my spray.

Only worry I have, is I occasionally feel like I have mild indigestion, or a very slight poking feeling on my rib just below heart, its not sore in any way, and I probably wouldn't have given it a second thought had I not just had stents .

Is it normal to feel wee aches now and then so soon after getting stents? Or am I just over analysing every little thing now

Certainly appreciate any advice from others who have been in similar positions

[Hidden]

Hello

They have been and put something in your arteries and it is early days , I think it is quite normal to feel some twingers here and there

I had a triple Bypass and every time I feel something it is like I am on red alert checking it out , I think this is something we all can do in the early days

You sound you are doing really well and they got you sorted

Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to recover x

[ScottL in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, and good luck to you in your recovery also.

[Hidden in reply to ScottL]

Thank You x

[ChoochSiesta]

I had a stent over 6 years ago. I have never felt even a twinge from it. My recent MRI and angiogram shows it's still doing its job.

[ScottL in reply to ChoochSiesta]

That's great

[Heather1957]

I had a bypass in 2017 and 2 stents in October although they had to drill the arteries to fit the stents. After having them done I was in some discomfort, not angina type pain but definitely muscular. As already pointed out you have had a heart procedure so some discomfort is to be expected.

Some 2 months afterwards I feel very well but am still aware of not exerting myself to much or lifting heavy things.

Obviously if you have any worries speak to your GP or go to the hospital but there is a balance, I tend to try and pin point the pain and usually can tell if it is in the heart or the muscles.

I have always said listen to your body as no-one knows it better than you!

[ScottL in reply to Heather1957]

Thank you for your advice, it is appreciated

[Fieldhouse in reply to Heather1957]

Hi, I was interested to read your drilled arteries comment. I had a stent fitted in September and I do feel good but get the occasional funny ache. However I was told I have 2 blocked arteries which nothing can be done for me. So is there hope can blocked arteries be drilled ?

[ChoochSiesta in reply to Fieldhouse]

Is a bypass of the blocked arteries an option?

[El-Tel1990 in reply to ChoochSiesta]

My angiogram showed up 3 blocked arteries,2 of which they could stent but the LAD had calcified and they were unwilling to drill it so CABG was the alternative. In the end whilst I was opened up they decided to give me a Quadruple bypass. It is considered to be the “Gold Standard “ way of dealing with blocked arteries. I am one year on after my operation, I feel good, I play golf 3/4 times per week and go to a gym for cardio workout 3 times per week. I just turned 60 this month and am looking forward to a good few years hitting the small white ball !

[Heather1957 in reply to Fieldhouse]

I have to be honest I didn't have time to digest what was happening or ask questions. I had been admitted with unstable angina and after a few days I was transferred to the main hospital where they can do stents if needed. I had the angiogram at about 9am and when it was being done one of the doctors popped up and told me I needed 2 stents but the artery (right) was so blocked they had to drill a clear way! There wasn't time to ask questions or even to say no, all he said was I would hear the drill!! I'll be honest it was awful (some people will say otherwise) I was giving lots of tranquilisers which probably did help but I was there for 2 1/2 hrs. Although I have spoken to the cardiac nurse about it I have done a bit of research of my own.

My bypass was in the LAD and these stents were fitted in the RCA, I suppose before drilling was an option it would be a bypass. I gather a lot depends where the problems are what, if any, the options they have.

Just to add I am so grateful this was an option for me, they were surprised this had happened only 4 years after my last angiogram. No more angina pain and feeling quite well.

[Lonmayloon]

Like you I had angina (but no heart attack) and was sent for angiogram. Found severe blockage of LAD and stent fitted. After the procedure I too felt odd twinges in the area but definitely not like angina pain. Things settled down but it did take some time. I think most folk become very aware of any chest pain after having a stent fitted.It is still very early days for you but my advice would be to take it easy for a while. My procedure was 11 years ago at age 52. Now feel fitter than ever. I hope you have a similar outcome.

[ScottL in reply to Lonmayloon]

Thank you so much

[Badger1955]

Scott,I had 4 stents and some collateral damage in 2020. I also got a few days of discomfort and weird feelings. Don’t worry they do pass.

[ScottL in reply to Badger1955]

Thank you for this

[Diesel1964]

I had 2 stents 2 years ago still getting these pain been told normal the pill contribute to these feeling never used my spray yet

[Mrvic]

4 years ago I had 4 stents placed (3 in my LAD) Widowmaker was 100% blocked but I had made some collateral bypasses or Dr says I’d have been dead before I hit the ground. Had the exact symptoms you had off and on for over a year. Dr said it’s the stent rubbing against the pericardium. They did a cath recently and he said the stents looked like he put them in yesterday! Relax everything is great congratulations on another 40 yrs with these stents! From the great state of Tennessee!

[ScottL in reply to Mrvic]

Thank you so much

[WorriedOfOxford]

Had 5 stents put in a year ago and had fleeting pains for about 8 weeks. Cardiologist explained that this was bruising due to the fact that they had just pushed something the size of a ballpoint pen through the arteries, stretching as it went. Completely normal to feel a little discomfort for a few weeks but it will pass.

[Tilly62]

Hi Scott I had the same after stents it can be worrying but normal good luck in your recovery 😊

[Bonham123]

Hi, I had a stent fitted in June this year and was getting pain in the centre of my chest. After numerous panicked calls to my gp and a couple of visits to A and E , it turns out it's trapped wind and possibly an ulcer so I'm waiting for the old camera down the throat appointment. I spoke to my cardiologist and she's arranging another scan to put both our minds at rest. She's 99% sure it's not heart related. I understand your fears, in fact everybody on here worries about the slightest twinge and it's normal to be worried. The consultant I saw told me to never feel silly about ringing my gp or going to A and E with concerns. Hope this helps and good luck 🙂

[51heartattack]

Hey Scott - It’s been about 3 weeks since I had 2 stents fitted and have been so relieved to see your post and some of the replies. I have the same thing I think - ‘poking’ is a good way to describe it; I feel something sort of hard occasionally in my chest - not painful but aware of it, especially when lying down. I did once try the spray and I think it helped but for some reason I try and avoid the spray. I haven’t had any follow up appointments yet but I was going to mention it at the next opportunity. Feel comforted though by your post and replies. Very best wishes for your continued recovery.

[ScottL in reply to 51heartattack]

Yeah the replies are definitely reassuring aren't they. I think I just need to get past the 'overthinking over analysing' every little thing bit.

[Clintus2 in reply to 51heartattack]

Im 3 weeks in, 2 stents and feeling exactly the same! did you get better?

[Hidden]

I know everyone else has posted that these are to be expected but just a very little word of caution 🙂 I too had a stent after suffering chest pain and breathlessness no HA had 70%blockage in a little artery and was told after stent that all would be fine . however my chest pain abated for a couple of weeks then reappeared at first I put it down to post op but it persisted and after pestering my doctors and having had further tests have been diagnosed with micro vascular angina, this is not to say this is happening to you but always check with doctor only you will know it’s your body after all 🙂

[ScottL in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, good advice

[Hidden in reply to ScottL]

No problem think you will find that we are all unique, well sort of ,what works for some doesn’t work for others and vice versa the surgeon that did my stent said he was surprised that as it was one of the minor arteries that it was bothering me so much! He then said that my heart obviously thought it was more important than he did lol 🙂

[choralsinger in reply to Hidden]

This is exactly what’s happening to me nine months post stent! I’m awaiting an appointment at the BRIB but heaven only knows when that will happen….

[Joliv61]

I had 3 stents fitted and found I was getting odd twinges for a few months afterwards. I’m not sure if it was just because I was more aware of every ache twinge etc from my body than before and always thinking is this the big one….Anyway 2 years on and they’ve gone.

Congratulations on joining the survivors club though.😁😁

It’s still early days on your recovery though so don’t try rushing things yet and if you get the option of the cardiac rehab classes take that up. Really does give you confidence that you can push yourself whilst being monitored, so that can then be followed on when exercising by yourself later on.

There’s plenty of useful info from the other “hearties” in here but always think of the fine print…we are not all doctors or cardiac experts, mainly all going via our personal journeys…

if in doubt call them out…😉

[Jules2021]

Hi Scott.After my heart attack in April i was rushed to the cath lab for emergency stent to clear the 100% blockage in my LAD. To say i found it sore is an understatement. My cousin who is the ccu ward manager said when its an emergency they go in and get the job done to keep you alive so it wont be gentle. I felt the pain in my arm for a few months after .

I think after any heart episode we are so much more aware of any ache or pain around the chest area and only 8 days down the line you are still early days.

Take care and all the best for your recovery.

[Katurajo1]

If it makes you feel better, I am a cardiac nurse and have cardiac catheterization patients all day long. During discharge we tell them that zingers and zaps are very normal for a few weeks. Pain is not normal but feeling like, ooh, and then done, that’s normal because they have been probing around in your heart with a wire, dye, sometimes a balloon and stents. Arteries can take a little time to feel normal again. Feeling like an alien is coming from your chest, definitely time for the emergency room.

[ScottL in reply to Katurajo1]

Yeah thanks, that's really good to know, coming from a cardiac nurse, I was discharged the day after with very little advice or info given. The alien coming out chest moment was before I went into hospital, so yeah deffo an emergency room job , thanks again

[ocnnll]

I have had exactly the same mate it's the stents settling. It is a worry and as you say you are now more alert to anything. I notices that stress about it gives my what feels like indigestion this is all in my mind I know that now, I had it when I was actually speaking to my consultant and he said the same. As things go on it will improve. Best of luck friend

Darren

[ScottL in reply to ocnnll]

Thank you Darren, appreciate that.

[Fruzzy]

Hi Scott, I would put it down to post procedural pains and settling in of the stents. I had four stents over two procedures including a bit of drilling the second time, and found getting back to normal took a bit longer than envisaged. Had several odd twinges and aches in my back and chest that caused me concern for some weeks. It’s been six months since my last procedure and only now do I feel confident that everything is good. So give yourself as much time as is required to get back to normality. Don’t rush it! Take care👍

[Brad08]

Hi Scott, welcome to the group! This is a place to ask any question you like. I had 2 stents put in months ago and 2 more a month later, I also have twinges and pains, some pains are like when I had my HA and especially when I get stressed. You sound like your in the early stages of recovery which we have to go through, sadly you will have to think about each twinge as a possible serious event with your spray in hand, it is perfectly normal and it will get a lot easier for you. It does pass as you make this new life work for you. You can ask this group anything, they are wonderful and helpful. Also temperature can cause pains, going hot to cold can cause the veins to shrink, I feel like my heart flips, of hiccups, palpitations do feel odd.

It sounds like early days but I would suggest you do not exercise until you have started cardio rehab, that is a weekly course of monitored exercise, I know it can get frustrating when we feel OK, but with the delays in 999 response times please do your best to not need an ambulance at the moment. It does get easier and I hope this group helps, take care and look after yourself.

Happy New Year!

[GnomeHA]

Had my HA September 2021, followed by 1 x stent in Circumflex artery. Only now after 4 months have I seemed to stop getting an "Awareness" of my heart, Hard to describe and it's a weird feeling. I think after a heart event it seems common to become very aware and sensitive of any slight feeling in the chest area.Good luck with your recovery Scott, and as many others have said - take advantage of any Heart Rehab made available to you -I've found it a terrific confidence builder when it comes to getting back to exercising.

[ScottL in reply to GnomeHA]

Thank you for that. The heart rehab course wasn't even mentioned to me at the hospital, all I was told was someone would phone me on 22nd March for a follow up consultation by phone. I've signed up to the BHF rehab on here, which consists of 8 emails and I'll Google other rehab stuff, thanks again

[Clintus2]

how did you get on Scott. im 3 weeks in and feeling the same, like mild indigestion then a "poke"

[ScottL in reply to Clintus2]

Hi Clintus, yeah it took about 7, maybe 8 weeks for me to start feeling back to normal, it's hard to describe, I just suddenly felt better, rather than gradual improvement, as weird as that sounds