Angina after Stents: Is it normal to... - British Heart Fou...

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Angina after Stents

albertcamus profile image
16 Replies

Is it normal to still experience angina one year after having stents fitted ?

This is a completely different type of pain that I'm getting now. Whereas before , and a good while after, my angioplasty I would experience sharp pain when exercising , that pain has now been replaced by an intermittent , but persistent , pain which I would most closely describe as a 'stitch'. I've also noticed that it appears to be linked to episodes of stress.

Perhaps I should also mention that I was recently , and quite fortuitously , diagnosed with an arrhythmia , but until I see my cardiologist in about three weeks' time I have no idea what type or the seriousness of it.

Any insights would be most appreciated.

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albertcamus profile image
albertcamus
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16 Replies
Whiteghost profile image
Whiteghost

I still get Angina after stents 4 years on. I know if I over do it, get stressed, carry heavy thing's this will cause me Angina symptoms. I was prescribed by my consultant Isosorbide which definitely helps.

albertcamus profile image
albertcamus in reply toWhiteghost

I was unaware that there was such a drug. Maybe I'll be prescribed it too.

Many thanks for your reply.

albertcamus profile image
albertcamus in reply toalbertcamus

P.S. Do you take that drug all the time or just when needed ?

Whiteghost profile image
Whiteghost in reply toalbertcamus

I take it everyday twice a day.

Happyrosie profile image
Happyrosie

make sure you discuss with the cardio - and, if possible, take someone with you who can take notes of what the consultant says. Sometimes they are rushed, sometimes they says something and you forget what it was.

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde

Isn't angina blockage in the small arteries/veins in the chest and not directly connected to the heart itself, thus having a stent inserted would make no difference?

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toMlinde

Angina is the symptom of the lack of blood supply to the heart.

Angina can be caused by the build up of cholesterol plaques in coronary arteries or due to the blood vessels not working properly, microvascular dysfunction or coronary vasospasms.

I too get stitch like discomfort which originally started after my first ablation (cryo) for AF, first assumed it was heart getting over that procedure, finally went to GP after second successful (RF) ablation and was diagnosed with angina, had a stent fitted last year but still get similar discomfort which I can ease by adjusting posture when walking, Cardiologist said not angina as it will not go away by simply changing posture, said either heart inflammation or muscular skeletal problem. Having echocardiogram tomorrow to check heart condition.

albertcamus profile image
albertcamus in reply toBring-on-the-bird

Thanks for that. Will you let me know how you get on ?

Bring-on-the-bird profile image
Bring-on-the-bird in reply toalbertcamus

Will do, might be a few weeks before I see Cardiologist

Miocardial_1 profile image
Miocardial_1

I am almost 2yrs post HA and 2 stents. I was recently diagnosed with microvascular angina as I have struggled intermittently since the HA. This is when the smaller arteries are blocked or obstructed but cannot be seen with all the tests they do.

I take Ranolazine 500mg x2 daily and Isosorbide Mononitrate 60mg daily to help with the pain. These meds were prescribed by my cardiologist.

Ironically I was weaned off these meds a few months ago as a different cardiologist told me I didn’t need them and all was well. A week after stopping them became quite uncomfortable.

I hope they find you a solution!

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toMiocardial_1

Microvascular angina is a type of angina/ ischaemia non obstructive coronary arteries ANOCA/INOCA.

The small vessels don't work properly, either fail to dilate or stay dilated in response to extra demands on the heart, like exercise. The blood vessels are not blocked or obstructed.

The BHF has this information about

Microvascular angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

albertcamus profile image
albertcamus in reply toMilkfairy

Yeah , I'd seen that link you posted in a reply somewhere else. I'm not so sure they'd be ready to investigate that possibility yet , at least not until they've determined what my arrhythmia is all about. Would you have any information / opinion on any connection between that and the angina ?

Thanks.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toalbertcamus

Hello,

My understanding is that arrthymias can lead to the heart not being able to pump enough blood to heart muscle.

It may help to keep a log of your symptoms, including any possible triggers of your chest pain. Then discuss your log with the Cardiologist at your upcoming appointment.

Perhaps write down all your questions too.

My husband has 2 stents and had his atrial fibrillation successfully treated with an ablation 2 years ago.

I hope your consultation goes well.

albertcamus profile image
albertcamus in reply toMilkfairy

Thanks for the info , and for the tips. It actually sounds that your husband and myself might have travelled down the same road.

Best wishes.

Jedi14 profile image
Jedi14

I don't know if this is a normal sequence of events, but it did happen to me-angina. I started getting chest/stomach pains which could not be resolved with gaviscon but with GTN spray. After several weeks of daily pains, my GP refered me to the hospital. Several tests later the Cardiologist started me on Bisoprolol, a year later (almost pain free), I have a cardiology review next week.

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