life after stemi

[EllenMcC]

I know there are a few other spouses here whose partner has had a STEMI. Single vessel disease 2 stents It has been three years now and my husband is on the usual cocktail and seems to be doing well. Has a fairly physical life style. Works as a mechanic three days a week the rest of the time on the farm - works all day and is pooped at night and cold easily but otherwise no symptoms. His ejection fraction was estimated at 35% calculated by Simpson at 48% on release and remained unchanged o we the next couple years echos. Recently had a nuclear echo. 42% EF and moderately dilated left ventricle and hypokinetic area in apex where there is permanent scarring I still worry he works to much but he says he is fine. Not sure what I am asking other than to hear how others have moved on

Thanks

[DWizza]

Hi Ellen, I didn’t have a Stemi, I had an Nstemi and quadruple bypass in July 2023. I’m still finding my way with my meds. I’ve changed from 80mg arvovastatin to 40mg Pravastatin. I was getting aches , pains, cognitive impairment, feeling cold all the time and a tired, had a month off arvovastatin and felt great ! Was able to achieve 5k running goals , challenging yoga class twice a week and physical work around our small holding, mucking out, barrowing heavy stuff to dung heap .5km away and back (can’t get a tractor on the paddocks atm , too wet) daily step count can be between 10-22k. Started Pravastatin a couple of weeks ago and still getting crashes around mid day to early afternoon , my blood pressure can drop from morning 115/75 to 101/61. I haven’t felt like training at all, just enough energy to do farm chores and walk my Lurcher 4k round the lanes (got sheep in the fields ). I feel vacant, fatigued, like walking on clumsy feet and a bit nauseous. How’s your husband’s blood pressure ?

[Comfycousin1 in reply to DWizza]

Interesting read and your recovery sounds great!I also had an nstemi last year (3months ago). I was put on atorvastatin 80mg but recently I have been experiencing real problems with my digestive system. I am considering asking my gp to change my statin or decrease my dose. Did it have an impact on your cholesterol level when you changed?

I'm worried about the risks associated with any change. I'd be grateful to hear.

Thanks

C

[DWizza in reply to Comfycousin1]

When my doc put me back on Pravastatin I suggested that it would be an ideal opportunity to test my cholesterol as I’d been off the statin for a month , to get a bench March for efficacy for secondary assistance from statin /without statin. She said she understood where I was coming from but didn’t give me the test. Pi$$ed me off. I spoke to my pharmacist yesterday about my current energy crashes , nausea etc , she said for me to stop taking the new statin (only been on it for about 3 weeks) and that when I have my appointment with Doc on the 25th March for review it would be ideal to test cholesterol. I explained what previously happened and she was disappointed too.

I will post once I’ve have more of an update . It’s certainly a chore to keep on top of stuff. I can deal with the physical rehab from surgery but the feeling crap from meds is getting me down 🤦🏼🤣

[Comfycousin1 in reply to DWizza]

I get that entirely! I was nauseous in the first few weeks and that passed. Now the cramping and diahorria. The thing is it's hard to identify which drug is at fault. If any.