Hi I had a stent fitted a month ago and am experiencing anxiety about every twinge. I've started going for short walks but feel my previous symptoms are only slightly improved. I'm still feeling slight pressure in my chest (I sometimes feel like I have a golf ball stuck in my chest where the stent was fitted) and slightly out of breath. I have to say, I'm very unfit so it's possible some of these sensations are due to that.
I just want to move on and get healthy without this horrible anxiety!
Hi Lakshmi-14
A stent will cause discomfort for a few weeks to months.
I had a HA and one stent fitted in Nov 23 and the first weeks I did feel sore, especially if I coughed.
The discomfort has decreased now but it's one of those things that is very person specific.
The anxiety is very common, in my first weeks I would freak out for every twinge, pain I had and you'll find talking to people here it's a common feeling and it will subside over time.
Did they advise cardio rehabilitation? I would ask your GP if they can get you on this as its exercise with cardiologist fitness experts and they do wonders to get you feeling fit and getting that confidence back.
I would also speak to your GP about your current symptoms to make sure you are physically OK which will also reduce your anxiety.
hope that helps
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I'm due to start cardiac rehab on 18th January, but will speak to my GP as well. It's horrible feeling so hyper-alert all the time!
Yup we all know that feels, and its excellent that you will be on cardio rehabilitation that will be a game changer for your mental health. Give it time and you will feel a lot better.
Hello 
I am sorry to hear about your recent heart attack and how it has left you feeling which so many of us can relate to
All of a sudden we become so aware of any feelings or differences and are so tuned into it causing us to feel anxious
These are very early days and you will feel sensations , medications can give you side effects till you adapt to them
As someone has said when you start rehab that will help as well as time to build your confidence back up
You are doing well by knowing you need to start to get fit at this stage don't push your self to much gentle walks short to start with and as you feel comfortable a little further , listen to your body when you feel you need to rest then rest
Things will come good again be kind to yourself try and accept how you feel is normal for so many and you are not alone you can always come and talk on here with others that understand x
Thank you so much for your reply. It really helps to talk to others who have experienced similar experiences. I think my expectations are a little unrealistic, because I've heard others say how amazing they feel after the procedure, but I don't feel much different.
Hello
After my heart attacks I could not have stents and had to have a triple Bypass and I totally understand what you are saying as people said you will feel a new person and I would read what they could do and how they felt and I was not able to do the same or feel the same as well as the anxiety which still does gets in the way
After making myself suffer so much eventually I had to accept we are all different so if someone could do more than me that was great but I had to stop worrying I could not
I often think of the story the Hare and the tortoise and the tortoise was a slow start but more than caught up
Give yourself time look for any achievements in the day no matter how small they are and focus on what you have done or any moments when you have had a moment of feeling ok they are there when we stop looking at others and just focus on us and what are best has been for the day
It is good to talk so come and talk with us whenever you need to x
I've had 2xPCI (stents), AVR and CABG, the PCI was done just 5 days after my HA, the AVR/CABG 3 weeks later, I spent just over 5 weeks in hospital. That was nearly 7 months ago. At 3 months post AVR I was walking/jogging/running in organised 5k Parkruns, I'm still doing so. In fact I have withdrawal symptoms today as both of my local events have been cancelled due to flooding.
I just felt instantly better after the PCI, and I'm now back to how I was 10 years ago!
Cardio rehab was very important and very beneficial for me and I'd urge you to enrol, you should be recommended by your surgical team or GP so I'd push them if you haven't heard anything yet.
Recovery is a very individual thing and even now I have to be careful with lifting heavy weights (20kg+) as it can impact on my chest muscles and make them sore on one side. My doctor isn't concerned about that and seems to accept it as normal. I have a friend who has almost daily issues with twinges following his OHS but know many who have no problems at all.
🙏🙏🙏
I had a heart attack in June 2023 and had a stent fitted took me about 6 weeks to get back to something like feeling normal anxiety was a night mare couldnt sleep went to see a counsellor only then did i feel i could cope
Thank you. I read too many Dr Google posts which said only a couple of week's recovery time. I think I need to manage my expectations!
Hi I had a heart attack and stent in july 23, i was a 16 stone unfit gym dodging smoker eating crap, and suffered bad anxiety after ,every twinge would be on google but would advise you to stay off it ,it will make it worse, get on your rehab they will push you i stayed a extra 10weeks on mine i loved it , im now a healthy 12.9 stone eat healthy ,gym every day , still get abit of anxiety but rare now ,as the weeks go by it gets better you get better ,we was all there once .
Great advice about Google. I need to stay off it!.
I had a bypass in 2017 then 2 stents fitted in Oct 2021 and what you're feeling is perfectly natural. As already said, the cardiac rehab is a game changer as you will do exercise is a controlled way.
Certainly in my case the results were monitored and my medication was changed accordingly.
Don't try and run before you can walk, a cliché I know but true.
Listen to your body, take notes and speak to the medics when you can.
From my point of view I'll never be the same again, but this is the only life I'll live and I want to live it.
Bless you - thank you so much for your reply and advice 🙏
lots of great advice and support from above posts. 🙏 it’s very early days for you and you will probably have time on your hands which gives you time to overthink every twinge and niggle this is completely normal in my experience. Your body needs time to heal and adjust also to the medication just give your self a break we all expect everything to be instant nowadays, I’m 5 months from my event and still worry about things but I found filling my time with other things eg cross words, quizes brain training games in the early days rather than googling has helped me no end! Now I’m out walking everyday and have joined an aqua Zumba class I’m enjoying too, Rehab has been great I’ve only been for 4 weeks so far but ask any questions you have there! Take full advantage of the support. If you are ever unsure call 111 or you GP. Good luck in your recovery and never feel alone, great space for support ❤️
Thank you 🙏
good morning I am suffering from anxiety attacks daily myself atm I find controlled breathing helps, suffered heart attack no 4 Xmas day currently in harlow hospital waiting to be moved to Papworth Cambridge getting mad 1-2 hrs sleep a night horrible situation just have to roll with it and keep your self at as much ease as possible
I'm so sorry to hear this and hope you're feeling better soon
You say in your profile that you intend to change your lifestyle.
Does that imply previous unhealthy eating, lack of exercise and perhaps being overweight?
If so, changing your lifestyle getting fit and losing weight is likely to help.
Absolutely all of the above! I've allowed myself to be 4 stones overweight and my diet had far too much sugar and fat in it. As for exercise, it's been non-existent!
I’m rubbish at writing and there so much I wanna say and ask but don’t. but you lovely lot have helped so much🙏🏻😢 good bless you all I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for u lot xxx just listen to these ppl lakshmi they are amazing! And go doctors when ever you want that’s what there there for. I’m 42 had a ha and aren’t in oct and feel like a fucking alien with anxiety and pains but they do ease and with these peoples help and reassurance your anxiety will ease and u will get used to things. All the best xxx
I had (have) similar. I’m about 12 weeks (almost) from both HA and stent being put in. Anxiety is still an issue, but massively better than it was: initially you’re just scanning your body all the time and noticing every single twinge… what’s worse for me is that my anxiety always presents in the chest area.. but I know what that feels like, but it doesn’t help the mind from wandering.
It does get better as you get further you get from it all.
I haven’t started cardiac rehab yet, but absolutely can’t wait.
Hang in there and if you can, I highly recommend a therapist. Even cardiac rehab offers wellness sessions once a month, see if one of those is happening by you soon and go along.
Thank you all so much for your replies. I feel blown away with your support. What an amazing community. I start cardiac rehab 18th Jan and am staying off Dr Google!
HiIt takes time for the stent to settle down. Youve had a procedure o your heart and your heart doesn't like being tinkered with!!! I e had 3 stents
Give it time. You will be aware of every single sensation in your chest area but in about 12 weeks it should settle down
Slow and easy......baby steps
it’s early days yet Lakshmi. The anxiety you’re experiencing is normal, you’ve had a frightening experience and it will probably take some time to sink in before you realise you’re guna be ok.
Try take it easy and not over worry. Easy said than done I know.!!!
All the very best to you.
Ron
I had my two stents fitted on Nov 22. I'm very much experiencing similar symptoms that you and others have described. I too was pretty anxious about it at first but not nearly as much since I've been using this site.
I begin my cardio rehab around the same time as you , Jan 22 to be precise , and it might be worthwhile to exchange notes. (I'm actually living in France but the treatments sound pretty universal.)
Bon courage !
Yes, I'd love to exchange notes! Bon courage to you too 🙏
I had a heart attack and two stents fitted 5 years ago. I felt absolutely nothing from the stents but I certainly felt anxiety and worry. It's perfectly normal. It really knocked my confidence to drive anywhere on my own which still affects me. Rehab is the best thing you can do for your confidence. Sadly they wouldn't take me because I'm in a wheelchair.
Hello Lakshmi 14Sorry to hear you have been anxious, but when you think about it probably we all have anxiety after our personal heart issues. I must admit to thinking every night for a month I'd wake up dead...if you get my drift. Take time and be kind to yourself. Rehab was great and helped a lot. Until you start take walks, but try not to let yourself get cold..it puts your BP up. Twinges are normal, but if you get wo4ried ring your team, there are usually specialist nurses who can talk to you.
Take care of yourself, you'll mend soon.
Vicky
If going out for walks in the cold, cover your face with a thin scarf or a mask (if that's not too embarrassing). It helps to warm the air you breath in. I discovered in my first Winter that the cold made my chest hurt and my Cardiac Rehab nurse explained what I needed to do.
It took me about six months to get over a stent inserted. I am fine now but please talk to your cardiac nurse or cardiac rehab nurse if you are doing cardiac rehab. They will know more than the GP
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