Hi this is my first post but I’ve been reading other peoples posts daily since I had a heart attack and stent fitted a month ago. The last couple of days I’ve started getting short, sharp stabbing pains in my chest where the stent is. It’s localized and Dr Google says this can be normal for some, post stent insertion and can be part of the bedding down process. I’d rather get other peoples opinions and experience on the matter though as we’ve lived through it and I thought this would be the best place to ask.
Many thanks
Mark
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DefLep74
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Say hello to Dr google from me I thought he was like Santa Seriously forget google and ask your GP. It sounds like a slight pull after your stretch but GP will check
I had 2 stents fitted last October and had various aches and pains since (still get them) . These are to be expected when you think what they have done.If in pain I tend to lie on the bed and mentally try and visualise where the pain is and what kind of pain it is. This usually works for me as it usually tends to be either muscular pain or pain caused from fitting the stents. If in doubt seek some advice from the NHS as you can't take risks where the heart is concerned.
Thanks Heather. I was just a little more concerned because it started with me having a big stretch and getting instant pain but I’m going to phone someone tomorrow.
If in doubt definitely seek some advice, having stents fitted is a very invasive procedure and the body needs time to recover.I had a bypass in 2017 and don't get me wrong it was a long(ish) recovery but my stents were brutal and lots of aches and pains during recovery.
I hope things soon settle down for you and you get some useful advice from your call tomorrow.
Much appreciated, thanks Heather. I had a cardiac arrest while having my stent fitted after my heart attack at home, so it’s tricky and worrying at times trying to differentiate between what pains for what. As I say though I’ll get some advice tomorrow.
Hi Mark, My stent was fitted 8 weeks ago, and I feel much better now than I did before my heart attack. I have just had twinges from time to time, but my arm was black and blue from top to bottom from when the stent was inserted. It really was spectacular, and drew a lot of comments. My arm is just a little tender now, but apart from that, there are no problems. I think it is likely that things will settle for you over time. I was told the tablets were the most important way to get your body to accept the stent. I was also advised that an exercise bike was the very best kind of exercise now. I do everything I have been told and so far, there are no problems. I hope you will not have any more pains, but perhaps it is better to concentrate on exercising the lower body until things settle...and keep taking the tablets. Take care and good luck.
Thanks very much. I’m looking into joining the leisure center gym where my cardio rehab team are. I’ll do this after my 6 week rehab. I used to do walking football so looking forward to getting back to that too, all be it at a slower pace.
If you are worried about the stabbing pains then ask your GP or cardiac department, but I had my stent fitted 5 weeks ago and I have those sharp pains mostly in the first month but the last couple of days I have not had any. Othere symtoms I have had are soreness and aching pain in my arm and chest area when any kind of pressure is applied, tightness in the chest and nuasea from the medications but they are all getting better, but like everone else on the forum I have suffered anxiety with every ache and pain that I have felt thinking it's happening again. I have been using my treadmill and I am now able to go for 2 miles without any problems and later this week I am having my stress test. The treatment I received was great but when I was discharged I was just given my meds and a booklet about the rehab. no information about the pain I would feel and the possible side affects on the meds which had they done so would have saved a lot of worry and anxiety. This site has been my best friend and it will be yours everyone has been really supportive.
I know exactly what you mean about the anxiety with every ache & pain and I’ve had two unnecessary trips to a&e over the last month with panic attacks which genuinely felt like I was having another heart attack. I know this is different though as I felt the sharp pains while overstretching. I’m just waiting on my cardio nurse to call me back.I also agree with what your saying about being initially discharged with nothing but a leaflet to get by for the first week or two. I must say though the cardio rehab team and Freeman hospital in Newcastle have been obsoletely amazing.
I suffered a really sharp pain episode when getting a spare grass mower I had ready for my son who had just bought a bungalow after having a flat and needed one, it scared me to death but since then just the normal stabs and twinges. I had really bad nuasea in the second week I thought hear we go again but the nurse at my local health center after the usual tests and checking with the cardiac department told me it was the meds and it would get better, if not they will probably adjust them the next time I see the cardiac team, luckely the nuasea has gone. I am back weight training with light weights with no problems but stretching the chest I do feel a little soreness but as one member said they have shoved a dynorod up a main artery in to the heart unblocked it and left a stent in streching the artery open so yes you will feel sore and have a few pains. Also my surgeon said the heart does not like being worked on so it takes awhile for it to settle and fully heal.
That makes sense and is reassuring to know it’s not just me. Ha ha Dynorod up the main artery, I’ll have to keep that one in mind. I’ve just spoke to my GP who said that it’s probably a pulled muscle around that area.
Oh please don't use DR Google ever. There's so much bad advice on there. Ask your GP. Personally I had no problems after having HA and 2 stents but I know some people do.
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