after a stent…

[Ealing2022]

This is for information only for those who may have a stent fitted recently or about to. It’s about side effects that can happen and why.

I had a stent fitted to open up my LAD just before Christmas this year after being on a medical regime for 11 months. The procedure took about an hour rather than the often reported 20 minutes. The surgeon described the Angiogram image as deceptive but although it was more difficult than anticipated both my surgeon and cardiologist were happy with the final result.

I felt better after the procedure almost immediately, although for the next week I had what I can only describe as a ‘presence’ in my chest. This is often experienced as the body adapts to the stent and is not something to worry about.

Fast forward three weeks and all that changed. Last week I suddenly felt very unwell. I was very short of breath, so dizzy I thought I was going to pass out and had infrequent but persistent jabbing pains in my chest. I was admitted to hospital that afternoon.

Long story short, because of the high degree of calcification in my artery the stent procedure had broken through the calcified layer. This is ‘normal’ in my sort of case. The result of this is my artery became inflamed causing angina like symptoms to return. I was released after 24 hours monitoring including the usual repeated blood tests and spaced ECG’s . The head of cardiology briefed me himself and explained it all in detail. I have been back home for several days and feel good. The moral of the story being if you get side effects don’t worry. Report them and get seen, but don’t worry, you will be OK.

I hope this helps someone.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I have not had stents I had Bypasses however I still got a lot from reading your post and thought it was lovely despite what I am sorry you have been through the reassurance that came through your post especially saying if things do not feel right get it checked but that last bit you will be ok

I can imagine this will be a great reassurance and comfort to anyone worrying that may find themselves in this position x

[Heather1957]

I bet that was really frightening at the time, thank goodness it was nothing too bad.

I had 2 stents fitted Oct 21 after presenting with Angina, they had to drill the artery due to the calcification. I have no idea how long I was in the cath lab but it seemed forever.

Late that after noon I went down for a further angiogram as my ECG was showing anomalies thank goodness everything appeared fine and I was kept in hospital and discharged the next day.

I think it is fair to say that there is no such thing as a 'regular' stent, it can depend on your health, age, where the stent is being fitted, how calcified the artery is, how many stents they are fitting etc etc.

I know it can be difficult to contact a medical professional in this day and age but keep notes on what's going on and don't be afraid to present at the hospital if things get bad.

[Ealing2022 in reply to Heather1957]

Thank you Heather. Yes our surgeons have to cope with everything that may occur. I am just grateful I live now, we are blessed with extraordinary advances and dedicated people. None of the men in my father’s family lived to see 60. They all died from heart disease.

[Heather1957 in reply to Ealing2022]

My father's family were the same, my own dad died at 52, thankfully due to all the advances myself and my siblings have passed that age.

[baly_2023]

Good post, we take these procedures for granted based on others experiences but it shows we are all made different and not one size fits all, things don't go smoothly all the time and only you know your body, so speak up if it's starts shouting " I am not happy".

[Stent2024]

it helps me thank you . I had stent fitted in my rca last week , and feel absolutely paranoid about every thing . Keep convincing myself the stent has fallen out . I know it’s all in my head , but I can’t help it . I think about it too much and just can’t forget it’s there . I think when you first come out of hospital you don’t know what to expect , so thank you

[Crabedu in reply to Stent2024]

I had a stent fitted in my LAD on 21st November 2023..even this week I asked the cardiologist if my coughing over a few weeks( side effect from ramipril) might have dislodged it. He assured me it wouldn't. I think what you are feeling is very normal.. but it does get better and all the hypervigilance to the sensations in your chest does ease. Go with the flow..some days you will feel even more sensitive..remember be kind to yourself..you are healing and on a journey which includes so many feelings.. and that's okay

[Stent2024 in reply to Crabedu]

Felt great the first couple of days , but a bit out of puff the last couple , but yes , become obsessed I think 😱

[PassionFlower54 in reply to Stent2024]

Hi, I had stent fitted end Nov 2023 following h/a (same morning I had seen GP with strange burning both arm pains & told not heart related!). Anyway I too am paranoid about everything ie any pain or sensation, I think about it all the time & can’t switch off, it’s waring us out, just what we don’t need. I too was scared when came out of hospital I was never told what to expect. As we are all different it affects us differently, but there should be a basic script of possibles we should have been made aware of. Hearing other people’s stories on here does sometimes help a lot. Thank you & good luck in your recovery.

[Stent2024 in reply to PassionFlower54]

Thank you , another positive . Like you it’s on my mind all the time