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small, occasional pockets of chest ‘ discomfort’ post heart attack

Dougiedot23 profile image
24 Replies

I am an otherwise fit 64-year-old man, brackets 6 foot £180 I am an otherwise fit 64-year-old man, brackets 6 ‘ 170lbs, runner , walkers, cyclist, Med diet, non smoker. I had a LAD heart attack in April 2023 , one stent fitted. Some trouble dealing with meds impact on stomach but also sometimes get small areas of ‘ discomfort ’ in some places on my chest. They I want even paid really, but when they come, I get very anxious that they will lead to something else.

Does anybody else have experience of these types of thing?

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Dougiedot23
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24 Replies
Dougiedot23 profile image
Dougiedot23

sorry that should read ‘ they arent even pain really, but when they come they make me anxious etc 🤭bad start eh?

AlfredV profile image
AlfredV

We are set an expectation that everything will be back to normal within 2 weeks of stenting. In reality it can vary from person to person. For me, it was a full 18 months post-procedure before I experienced a whole day without chest pain. We have to give it time and it is hard not to worry, but if you experience angina-like symptoms that the GTN protocol fails to resolve, or anything that seems like a heart attack, then don't hesitate to call an ambulance.

Dougiedot23 profile image
Dougiedot23 in reply toAlfredV

Hi Alfred. This is great( you know what i mean 🤭) have been stoic up to now ( im not a sharing type of bloke) but am glad i did, Really, really, thank you. HNY!

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28-

Hello :-)

I had a triple Bypass over 2 years ago and any pain I get in my chest I get anxious even now and for some that is normal to feel that way it can take a while to get our confidence back after events like these

You say some of your meds are given you stomach issues ?

I have stomach issues since been put on meds and I get a lot of indrestion which always comes with a pain in my chest and then the indigestion it is what they tell me is the new normal for me but still makes me anxious when I get it

If you have doubts if just to give you peace of mind talk with your Doctor hopefully they can reassure you :-) x

Dougiedot23 profile image
Dougiedot23 in reply toBeKind28-

Hi Bekind

Again , this is very similar to me, indeed separating stomach and chest discomfort is difficult and like you they often come together or follow each other , so to hear someone reflecting this is really reassuring, thanks so much for replying and HNY!

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply toDougiedot23

Hello :-)

Happy New Year to you to :-) x

LJS40 profile image
LJS40

Hi,

I'm currently 3 weeks into recovery after a heart attack and having a stent fitted (age 40). It's reassuring to read this post and know that I'm not going insane.

I'm also getting pains that come and go, which can sometimes be hard to differentiate between stomach pain and heart related pain. I've also had a few odd episodes of palpitations which last for a few seconds and then go.

Obviously our bodies have to adjust to the meds and changes in diet etc. I have also quit smoking (cold turkey) and nicotine withdrawal can also cause all of the above symptoms, so it's a massive minefield.

Oddly, I've also had some teeth aching and sensitivity since the HA, but I'm not sure if this is a coincidence.

Cheers for sharing Dougiedot23

Lee

Oli1976 profile image
Oli1976 in reply toLJS40

Hi Lee,

I had a Heart Attack in September, had 2 stents fitted whilst in hospital. I am 47 and in a similar position in that i also gave up smoking cold turkey style. I have experienced similar pains and aches as you as well as the teeth aching and sensitive. It does feel like you are going insane at times but you’re not. I am still 3 months down the line still struggling with it all. Its such a massive change for us all medication, diet and psychologically. I find it reassuring hearing someone else with the teeth sensitivity and aching.

Best wishes

Oliver

LJS40 profile image
LJS40 in reply toOli1976

Cheers Oliver,

I'm really glad I joined this forum. It's true what they say, it's good to talk!

Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

Lee

Dougiedot23 profile image
Dougiedot23 in reply toLJS40

Thanks mate

Good luck and HNY

Dougiedot23 profile image
Dougiedot23

cheers ljs HNY!

theonethatgotaway1 profile image
theonethatgotaway1

Yes I have experienced chest pains/discomfort since falling ill with heart failure in 2020. These would come and go. Happens at any and all times. Mostly at rest though. Sharp pains. Dull aches. Mostly left sided. Some I have called ambulances for.

I'm not sure if this is a common thing for people after having heart attacks/heart damage. I guess it probably is. The cardiologist didn't seem all too concerned about it. Just to ring an ambulance if I suspect it to be something more serious!

Avagra profile image
Avagra in reply totheonethatgotaway1

Had my HA Oct’22 and stent in circumflex artery and still get dull aches left chest with occasional sharp zaps that make me jump.The GTN spray is not needed as the aches/zaps last for split seconds and like yourself these symptoms are when at rest sitting in my chair.I have been to the doctor and my bloods,blood pressure,heart rate etc are all normal.Im having an ECG next week followed by an echocardiogram but been told this is precautionary and not to worry as this can cause chest aches.The thing is I’m excercising well since stopping smoking immediately after my attack and generally feel in good health so will see what the tests results show.There appears to be many on this forum that have had or having the same symptoms so my guess is it is just one of those after effects from a HA.

theonethatgotaway1 profile image
theonethatgotaway1 in reply toAvagra

Yes I have these very same sensations. Zaps that last split seconds. Dull aches and occasionally cold feeling inside. I mean it sure is the heart. I don't see it being anything else. Located left side. The Zaps do catch me off guard. Sometimes can be fairly painful to an extent. Most of times it's less painful than a stich or a prodding feeling.

All tests in past seem to come up stable as the cardiologist told me. But it can't be helped to worry so much about them.

theonethatgotaway1 profile image
theonethatgotaway1 in reply toAvagra

What meds have they put you on of you don't mind me asking?

Avagra profile image
Avagra in reply totheonethatgotaway1

Ramipril,Asprin,Bisoprolol,Atorvastatin

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similar 58 year old severe heart failure just over a year ago one stent fitted.

Only now staring to feel normal, but have a regime to help reassure myself.

I had a HA and stent in LAD in November 23.

I also get little tingles,sharp pains which feel like electricity, these seem to last milliseconds.

As they don't seem to get worse, and aren't debilitating, Ive put it down to one of those post HA/stent effects.

I do keep an eye on it, sometimes they freak me out and I get worried but I just talk to myself and say "it's OK baly, the heart attack pain was very different, this isn't that"

trafar profile image
trafar

I am 5 months to the day since heart attack and 4 stents fitted and still feel chest discomfort, I guess will take some of us longer to repair.

Dougiedot23 profile image
Dougiedot23 in reply totrafar

Indeed, thanks trafar

HNY

Chris

Pickerj profile image
Pickerj

similar to yourself. 64 fit and well. Had a heart attack 11 months ago and stent fitted. Life turned upside down since then. Terrible side effects from medication so been chopping and changing all year. Get a lot if what I would describe as chest discomfort and tightening. It’s obviously not cardiac as I can exercise hard without incident. There’s something called gastro cardiac syndrome which I believe my issues to be. It used to worry me greatly but I can deal with it now. My biggest problem without doubt has been terrible brain fog and tinnitus in one ear. It’s awful and so debilitating and I can’t seem to shift it.

I’d echo the experiences of others, having a heart attack is a major event and impacts in so many ways. We seem to swap one set of symptoms for another as a consequence of physical and mental changes plus all the medication you end up taking. It’s time, trial and error I’m afraid.

Best wishes on your recovery journey

Dougiedot23 profile image
Dougiedot23 in reply toPickerj

Thanks pickerj

All this is ( selfishly) reassuring

Am very grateful

HNY!

Chris

EdtheDead profile image
EdtheDead

I've had constant chest pain since my NSTEMI heart attack end of September. Like you, I considered myself as a very fit and healthy 63 year old. Been rushed back to A n E twice with chest pain as a precaution. Turns out the Heart attack triggered Pericarditis which is bloody awful to endure and mimics all the same symptoms of an MI. The constant nagging pain could be down to my Bisoprolol but I'm only on a low 2.5mg dose because I have Liver Cirrhosis and it's not safe to give me anything any stronger.

Dougiedot23 profile image
Dougiedot23 in reply toEdtheDead

Sorry to hear about the pain ed, hope it subsides, and thanks for replying, you have all helped me a great deal psychologically

Hny to u all

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