I was diagnosed with intermediate Hodgkin Lymphoma back in 2017, treated with chemo and highly targeted radio (which avoided my heart) and have been in remission since 2018.
Last year, I started developing Angina symptoms and was eventually diagnosed in November. I've been medically managing since then and I had a stent fitted in my LAD artery on Valentine's Day this year
I'm 38 years old and hope to have a long, healthy life ahead so I'm attempting to devote myself to a healthy lifestyle; eating the best possible diet and improving my fitness with daily exercise.
I still feel a lot of uncertainty around my future. I don't know why this happened to me so young, and whether whatever caused it means it will come back, or whether it's related to my cancer treatment, though this is thought unlikely by the cancer specialist nurse who was with me through my cancer journey.
I smoked daily for around a decade before my cancer, but only 1-3 cigarettes most days so wasn't that heavy and I was otherwise pretty active and healthy, eating mindfully, walking and cycling daily, and more intensive exercise once a week or so.
In December I will attend a clinic with a professor who specialises in heart disease in younger patients so hope this will provide some clarity. In the meantime I'm still getting spooked by infrequent twinges and stitch like feelings in my chest, which is one of the reasons I've signed up here.
Does anyone else experience sensations in their chest months after having an angioplasty?
The doctor advised me to expect some twinges and sensations in the first month or two, as the stent settled in, which I did experience. I then had a few months without really experiencing anything. But for the past month or two I've started experiencing mild sensations most days, not painful, something like a light stitch, or just a sensation of something being in the there.
This morning I did a work out and started feeling a light stitch so I stopped. Several hours later I can still feel it, more on the right side of my chest, (not in the stent area), especially if I look directly up at the ceiling!
Anyone else had things like this?
My meds:
* Aspirin 75mg
* Atorvastatin 80mg
* Bisoprolol 2.5mg
* Lansoprazole 30mg
* Clopidogrol 75mg
Thanks for reading!
Daniel
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YungHart
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Hi, just read your post and I get a similar pain most days and I am 7 months post HA. I was fitted with 2 stents aged 43 in December after a sudden heart attack.
I have spoke to my GP and cardiologist and have not had any explanation at to what it might be. I was prescribed ranolazine 375mg to help with the pain. I also get a numbing sensation down my left arm.
For me the GTN makes it go away. Do you have a GTN spray? Does it help?
Good to know you are keeping fit too. Stay positive, we can do this 😊
I spoke to my cardiologist about the sensations at my last check up and he said it's not unusual to experience them and that I shouldn't worry, but that if it continues I should speak to my GP. When it continued I spoke to my GP who said I should speak to my cardiologist
I'm now in Mexico for a few months after quitting my job of 11 years, so it's not that possible to pop back for a checkup!
I hadn't actually used the GTN atall since my stenting, because the Angina stopped immediately, and none of the sensations I've been having are the same as Angina symptoms. I just tried it and it hasn't made any difference. Good idea though.
I've now had what feels like a very subtle stitch on the right side of my chest all day, 8 hours+. There's no pain, it's just a bit unsettling.
I am sorry to hear you have had the challenges of cancer and heart disease at such a young age.
Have you ever been reviewed by a Cardiologist who specialises in caring for patients with cancer?
Some cancer treatments can unfortuately affect the heart and it maybe worth asking your Cardiologist to get in contact with a specialist centre or you could ask to be referred to a cardio oncologist.
Cardio oncology is a relatively new area of Cardiology. There are several centres who provide care for patients with cancer and heart disease.
Hello. That's really interesting. Thanks very much for the info and links. I'll definitely look into this.
I haven't been seen by a cardio-oncology specialist before, but in December will see a specialist oncologist who looks at why young people develop heart issues, so I imagine there will be some crossover there.
The UCLH clinic is at the Hatter Institute where I recently attended the cardio-rehab course so I'll ask them about referral too.
Hi Daniel first great to hear you are in remission, my brother had the same and is now in his 6th year remission. Same here, my first post.
I had an emergency angioplasty with no previous heart problems, stent fitted back in May. I haven't seen a cardiologist yet, discharge notes said 3 months. I had very different symptoms when it happened - although with hindsight the breathless and tiredness that had become worse had been put down to my underlying autoimmune condition and associated fatigue. An iron infusion was suggested by my GP to Rheumatology consultant who said no. When he was later asked again, while I was on Cardiac Care Unit unsurprisingly he agreed.
My symptoms other than that, increasing sweating - like I'd run under a cold shower and nausea/vomiting. I hadn't noticed the chest pain until NHS111 asked. It was like a fist pushing into sternum, solid pain, not radiating and not anywhere else at all. Normal BP, low BMI, healthy diet - wholefood, no takeaways etc, odd glass of wine. Gave up smoking over 30 years ago.
I was put on the same meds as you with Ramipril too. I have had the doses of Ramipril and Bisoprolol reduced by half as pulse rate was constantly in the 40s. The came pericarditis so the chest pain came back, exactly the same place and feeling, seems to have gone after 2 weeks rest and painkillers.
Now I get the stitch feeling on left hand side, for no reason at all too. I speak to the Cardiac Rehab team who are great and my GP who "needs to look some things up before our next review appointment". Keep asking the questions, also the BHF nurses on the helpline are amazing for the time they can spend going through the medications - all aspects. Recommend speaking to them. All the best
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