stent fitted 6 weeks ago, symptoms returned suddenly

[Scads]

So I had a stent fitted to RCA 6 wks ago, took about 3 weeks to feel half normal again, returned to work for 1 week and was managing dog walks. At end of week went to walk the dog and so breathless I thought I was going to collapse, took my gtn and got home, 3 hrs later another attack, so breathless I couldn’t speak phoned 111 and ambulance was there in 15 mins, now awaiting another angiogram, has anyone else had this problem? Sorry it’s a long one

[22alfie]

Your not super human. It's going to take time to recover. Baby steps look after yourself.

[Scads in reply to 22alfie]

thank you I’m not the most patient person x

[22alfie in reply to 22alfie]

Learn to change. I felt the same. Was a very active person me but change had to happen if I still want to be active. And I'm out and about again. JUST AT A SLOWER PACE!!! 😀👍 Listen to your body.

[Chappychap]

You did the right thing by calling 111 (and full marks to the ambulance service for getting to you within 15 minutes!), if you get more of the same symptoms then contact them again.

The best outcome is if it's just teething troubles from the stent bedding in. Unfortunately a small percentage of stents fail (the good news is that there are many options, including fitting a stent inside an existing stent). Furthermore, our atherosclerosis is like acne, and we have "spots" of plaque scattered throughout our arteries. Stents can't protect us from stenosis occurring in other, non-stented, areas of our arteries.

This is why you need an angiogram, the gold standard diagnostic tool that will show your cardiologist precisely what and where the problem is, if indeed there's any problem at all.

Good luck!

[Plynda in reply to Chappychap]

I had a similar experience 2 years ago. I had 2 stents fitted but my symptoms remained. Had profusion scans which showed a problem on opposite side of heart to stents. I had a second angiogram but they found no problems with my heart or the stents. Diagnosis was Vasospastic Angina for which my meds are supposed to control. I have improved as time goes on but still suffer symptoms. Been to A & E after bad pains in back but checkup revealed no heart attack. Had 24 hour ECG and even though I had pains whilst walking the cardiologist said he was not unduly concerned. I’m sorry this is not a great answer but in my case I have been able to manage my symptoms more and become less anxious as time goes on. I hope you receive a more positive outcome from your next angiogram and wish you well for the future.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Plynda]

Hello Plynda,

I have lived with vasospastic angina for over 10 years. I experience my chest pain at rest which is a classic symptom of vasospastic angina.

Chest pain without blocked coronary arteries on exertion tends to be due to microvascular angina.

Have you had any formal testing to determine whether the cause of your chest pain is microvascular or vasospastic angina ?

It's important to find out as the treatment options are different

Eg beta blockers can help those with microvascular angina but beta blockers can make vasospastic angina worse.

Microvascular and vasospastic angina increase a person's risk of a heart attack, stroke or major cardiac event.

Unfortunately not many Cardiologists have the appropriate knowledge or understanding about angina without obstructed coronary arteries .

The BHF has this information about MVA and VSA.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....

[Plynda in reply to Milkfairy]

hi Milkfairy, thanks for your comments. I suffer symptoms at rest as well as when walking. The pains I get are always accompanied by constant burping. If I go for a walk I start burping after about 100 yards and experience pain in my upper back and sometimes in the top of my arms. If it’s too bad I stop walking but if I keep going the discomfort can go away after about 5 or 10 minutes and I can carry on walking. Sometimes the symptoms return after half an hour or so. I can also get these symptoms at rest. The last few days around 4pm I have had 30 minutes of back pain and associated belching. After a second Angiogram to check my stents and the left side of my heart the cardiologist concluded

- the conclusion then is that he has relatively sensitive coronary arteries and has ischaemic symptoms and a positive MPS because of functional coronary disease (which is an umbrella term that incorporates coronary vasospasm and microvascular angina).

My 24 hour ECG recorded that I experienced these episodes when my heart rate was at its highest but there is no reason for concern. They did not think I needed my medication changing. I am on Anlodipine, Lisinopril, Atorvastatin, Bisoprolol, Asprin, Isorsorbide tablets and spray and Esomeprazole.

I am at a loss where to go from here as 2 referrals to the cardiologist since first having my stents fitted have not helped at all. I have weeks of these symptoms then they mysteriously disappear for a while - up to a week or two before returning again. I try to remain positive but it can be wearing at times.

Thanks for your feedback

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Plynda]

I acknowledge living with vasospastic angina can be challenging!

One thought, beta blockers are actually contraindicated if you live with vasospastic angina.

I ended up in hospital for 5 days after being prescribed beta blockers when I was presumed to have microvascular dysfunction rather than vasospastic angina.

The problem we face as patients is that the knowledge of how to care for us is not widespread amongst Cardiologists.

Have you considered being referred to a specialist who understands Microvascular and vasospastic angina?

My local Cardiologist sends me for a tertiary review from time to time.

[Plynda in reply to Milkfairy]

thanks for advice. I will mention this to my GP at my next visit.

[Scads in reply to Chappychap]

had the angiogram, the stent is fine so saying the chest pain and breathlessness is not cardiac, although identical to first time round before the stent was fitted and had relief for 3 weeks after stent fitted. Under a lot of stress at home could this be the cause? More confused now than when I went to hospital

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Scads]

Has non obstructive coronary artery disease NOCAD been considered?Microvascular and vasospastic angina .

See my response to Plynda.

acc.org/latest-in-cardiolog...

If you continue to experience ongoing symptoms perhaps ask for microvascular or vasospastic angina to be ruled out.