football with stents ?

[NingboHammers]

I am a UK expat living in China, earlier this year I suffered a heart attack and subsequently had 2 stents fitted and 1 month later had an Angioplasty balloon put in, I am now on several different medications and am living a semi normal life, with my wife & dog here in China.

What I would like to know is can I still play 5aside football, I loved to play over 40's football once a week with other expats, but now I have stents I'm worried if the ball hits me hard in the chest or I fall over, it will be dangerous for me, so I've stopped playing and I miss it so much.

I really want to play but I can't seem to get a straight answer from the doctors in China, they just say if in doubt don't play, does anyone else have this experience ? can you play football with stents ?

[Hidden]

Dear NingboHammers

Hello to you and your question, it would be impossible to answer it as even if we went through the same procedure we are all different.

I have heard of people with stents returning to a " normal Life " but if that includes playing football they haven't said.

I think that reading between the lines of your post is that you are just after some form of " go ahead " but no one here can give you that.

My worry for you is that as you have asked the question then you are not mentally ready your self as your Cardiologist said " If in doubt don't play " would you really enjoy your game with that doubt hanging over your head?

Here we have a form of re-hab that teaches us, just what level of exercise/sport you can hope to achieve, is there not a trainer/ expert you can contact that can help with the doubt that you have?

Take care

[NingboHammers in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your kind and helpfull replies, ill definatley check out the Roger Black episode thanks, as for me mentally im fine & exercise in general im ok with, I have been jogging (walks etc), played some squash (badly), badmington etc, all fine... its just 5aside football specifically I was worried about as thats what i miss the most, for example if you get hit hard with a ball in the chest, will it move or dislodge the stents? and was wondering if anyone has this same experiance...

Anyway all the replies have been very helpful, its much apprieciated to hear and know there are many others out there, thinking and caring.

[JulianM]

From my limited experience as a fitness instructor supporting people who have had stents fitted and who have returned to exercise in a gym, I can offer a few thoughts, though please be aware I am not a doctor and these are just what I would suggest to friend or family ...

1. It's good to exercise and you'll get even more benefit from doing so, having had heart problems, than if you haven't. There's a great recent 'Live and Ticking' episode on the BHF website, starring Prof Sanjay Sharma and Olympian Roger Black, which I strongly recommend. If you've got an hour to spare and can access it, definitely worth watching.

2. After stenting, you may find that some of the blood vessels in your heart need to regrow to establish the level of blood supply needed, especially when you are exercising. This is why progressive rehab over time is valuable and needed - think months. But recovery happens.

3. If you do get some chest pain when exercising, using an angina spray is likely to be very helpful; this obviously only works if you have one and keep it to hand. Use as medically recommended.

[Heather1957]

I think it is possible but you should not even start exercise without some input from medical personal.

They will need to know your weight etc how fit you were/are, what the highest heart rate you should reach.

So get some advice first.