How long to get better?

[Harefieldfan]

Hi. I had a mild heart attack last May and now have two stents. The second one was inserted 3 months ago — long wait because of wait for rotablation referral. I thought I’d be healed by now but I’m not. I’m on my 8th week of cardiac rehab walks — 15 mins warmup; almost 20 mins aerobic walking; 10-15 mins cool down. It takes me a long time to settle afterwards, to not feel exhausted. Pre-attack I did 30 mins a day on my exercise bike. Can’t any more. So my question is: how long does it take to heal after an angioplasty, etc? Meds such as bisoprolol slow my heart beat. Is this part of it? Thanks. This forum is great.

[Heather1957]

I think a lot has to do with the meds, for 4 years after a stroke and bypass surgery I was on Clopidogrel with no side effects. I had 2 stents fitted in October and was put on Ticagrelor twice a day and aspirin and taken off the Clopidogrel for 12 months. These new blood thinners make me a little breathless and I have to catch my breath I am attending rehab classes and managing okay but am hoping come October next year when I go back to Clopidogrel, I'll feel better!

[Harefieldfan in reply to Heather1957]

Thanks Heather. I’m on ticagrelor, to be reviewed in the autumn. My cardiologist sort of blamed the bisoprol but I didn’t want to change. Better the devil you know? I’m sure you have a point about the meds.

[Heather1957 in reply to Harefieldfan]

I spoke to my cardiac nurse about the Ticagrelor and she said the breathlessness was a typical side effect. I have been on 2.5 bisoprolol since 2017 but she feels I should be on 5 mg as my resting HR is a little on the high side. If I find the effects are making me more breathless or tired I will ask to go back to 2.5 mg. I am on so many meds who knows what the interaction is.I hope things settle down soon.

[Heather1957 in reply to Harefieldfan]

I also had 2 stents last October and they had to drill out the artery (rotablation ) first (I didn't have any warning) It was a worse procedure than my bypass (IHO)

[ChoochSiesta]

Bisoprolol slowed me down far too much, and made me dizzy. Came off them. Now on Nebivolol 2.5, hopefully they will be better.

[Jetcat]

Hi hare, it’s more than likely the meds. Bisoprolol is well known for making some folk struggle a little when exercising.I’m on 10 mg daily and definitely noticed a difference.

I just do what I can now and have done for a few years. You may improve as time goes on and your body gets used to it. So take it easy and see how you go. Best wishes. Ron.👍

[1975A]

I think the challenge between patience and might not having a right treatment is an important one. Usually I feel it’s patience what we lack especially in the first 3 to 4 months.

[BlackEnfield]

I had a stent in my LAD. I was fairly fit prior to the event. I did six weeks rehab programme, and then went on to do 9 week couch 2 5k. that was around a year ago. Started with Asprin Clopidogrel and Atorvastatin. Finished Clopi after about 6 months. I now try and do 5k most days and feel very lucky. Listen to your body (even if you are not sure what it is saying!) and your Dr. Hope you get to where you want to be.Regards

Ian

[Harefieldfan]

Thanks all! Just for info I’m on bisoprolol, atorvistatin, aspirin, amliodopine, ticagrelor and Losartan among non-heart meds.

[Tom2019]

Hello Harefield. It will be and should be a while before you get back to pushing yourself on the exercise bike for half an hour every day. You have had a warning and your heart has been pushed around a bit by the attack and the stents have caused strain. The meds will put on the brakes a bit to stop you over doing it- but you are already doing well so stay positive. Try building up your strength by longer and longer walks maybe along a canal enjoying the great outdoors and adding in hills as you progress. Try a bit of gentle aqua fit or join a walking for health group. You will get back your fitness slowly but safely and will be back on the bike but let your body tell you when you can do it safely not your mind. It took me almost a year after my eight stents but I am still going strong up those Chiltern Hills 11 years later and my golf handicap is lower too. The medication may need a change along the way but its early days and difficult to know which ones with the interactions with your other meds you take. You will work it out over time and then be able to give support to others because you've been there and got the tee shirt.

[Legobuilder]

I agree with Tom’s note, it will take time to recover. I suggest you talk to your cardio rehab nurse about your medication, perhaps the bisoprolol dose can be changed. First take your resting BP and heart rate readings for a few days so you have some data to discuss. Best wishes

[Harefieldfan in reply to Legobuilder]

Thanks both!!

[Heartinthehills]

Good advice from Tom2019 which I agree with. Your heart has taken a bit of a beating and recovery will take time but regular exercise will help. I found a daily early morning walk the easiest routine to get into and trying to walk a bit further and faster as I could manage. You may find the exercise bike more strenuous than walking to start with. I never questioned my medication though a specialist cardiac nurse I had access to whilst recovering advised dropping one of them which was no longer relevant after six months which I did. If you don't have access to a cardiac nurse you could try the BHF helpline for advice on medication - details on their website. With very regular exercise and a careful diet I also managed to lose a bit of weight which helped improve fitness and recovery. I also found exercising with others a good discipline to get into and found a Phase 4 rehab class to join though probably more difficult now. Aquafit , Ramblers groups and other walking groups are all back operating near me and you may find something you fancy near you. Best wishes on your recovery path and as mentioned by others focus on extending the limits of what your body says you can do.