Third angiogram in 8 weeks and another stent!

[RTCLP1]

To recap, I had a STEMI 8 weeks ago. I was fitted with 2 stents in my right artery. Couple of days later they decided to do an angioplasty in my left lower artery. Jump forward 6 weeks and I was complaining of this feeling in my throat to middle chest. Plus, an echocardiogram showed I have a bicuspid aortic valve, which'll need to replacing in 5-10 years. NHS was going to take ages so went private (via my employer) and they arranged another angiogram, which was yesterday.

So, the stents in the right artery were all good. However, the left artery (which the NHS did the angioplasty) had some blockage so they stented that one. The cardiologist showed me the x-rays and the difference in the flow was amazing. He said it was a potential heart attack, if it had been left.

I will ask the cardiologist but has anyone had an angioplasty, only to have a stent soon afterwards? Also, I'm sure the angioplasty was further down to where he placed the stent. Can surgery dislodge the plaque?

At the moment, I still have the feeling in my chest/throat, so am wondering if it's medication.

[mjames1]

I had upper chest/throat tightness and pain on exertion, stress, after eating and sometimes for no reason. Angiogram showed severe blockages, so the diagnosis was CAD and the symptoms were classified as Angina.

Six stents later, I still get some of the same pains. The cardiologist now thinks it may be Gastro related, as I originally thought, but my thoughts were dismissed because of angiogram. I saw Gastroenterologist and he thinks it's probably cardiac related. Lol. Still trying to get things sorted out!

Jim

[RTCLP1 in reply to mjames1]

Did you use a GTN spray? I tried it but it made no difference. I'm being referred to ENT for the throat.

Did you have all six stents done at the same time?

[mjames1 in reply to RTCLP1]

I use the under the tongue tabs and they didn't do anything. It was a staged procedure. Three stents initially and then another three or six weeks later..

Jim

[RTCLP1 in reply to mjames1]

Be interested to know if you get to the bottom of it. I'll do likewise (I'm seeing the cardiologist in 2-3 weeks time). How long have you been trying to get an answer? I've mentioned it to several different clinical people and no one seems interested/bothered.

Have your pains, etc improved with time or just stay the same?

[mjames1 in reply to RTCLP1]

Second PVI end of October and still waiting for answers. Doing a GI workup including manometry but so far nothing points to the pain I'm getting. Symptomatically would say I'm better off than before the PVI, but it's a matter of degree, as opposed to everything being right. If things keep bothering me or go south, may get fresh eyes to look at things at another medical center. Yes let's keep in touch on this.

Jim

[RTCLP1 in reply to mjames1]

Hi, I spoke with the cardiologist following the last angiogram new third stent. Mentioned the throat/chest thing and he said it's definitely not heart related, so either gastric or anxiety. Following the positive news from him and the confirmation that I can start rehab, the throat thing disappeared and hasn't been a problem, so I think it's anxiety.

I did go out today and pushed myself a little too much which gave me some chest twinges. That unnerved me a bit and, lo and behold, the throat/chest feeling came back. I'm pretty sure this is anxiety.

[mjames1 in reply to RTCLP1]

Thanks for update. Hopefully it is anxiety, but hard to fully rule out INOCA which is relatively under-diagnosed, and can be triggered by stress, anxiety, exercise and even food.

Like yourself, I am also getting different and conflicting opinions. Finishing with a gastro work up and trying not to stress too much even though I'm getting more guesses than diagnosis. The interventional cardiologist finally admitted the possibility of INOCA but basically feels I should exercise through it and leave things alone for now, which is fine with me as long as things do not get worse.

Took my first Repatha injection today to drive my LDL hopefully below 30 which should give my stents the best chance for staying patent, not to mention preventing needing new ones and in theory may also help INOCA if that's what I have.

Jim

[RTCLP1 in reply to mjames1]

I'll keep that in mind when I start the rehab and see how I react to exercise - I've only done easy walking so far but do find that I get tired if I do too much (no chest/throat issues, though). I'll keep in touch with how I'm progressing, in case it helps you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[RTCLP1 in reply to mjames1]

Just checking in. How are you getting on with the whole throat/chest thing?

[mjames1 in reply to RTCLP1]

Thanks for checking in. Like before, sometimes I'm convinced it's cardiac and sometimes I'm convinced it's Gastro. Definitely better than the PVI, but then again I've been taking a very powerful acid suppressant, Voquezna. Seeing a new Gastro in a couple of weeks and see if she has any thoughts. BTW LDL is 9 after three weeks of Repatha. Anything new on your end?

Jim

[RTCLP1 in reply to mjames1]

I'm going up and down stairs without any problems now. Not noticing any breathlessness but I still get times when I'm just whacked. The throat/chest thing is sporadic and can appear from nowhere. The GP said the tiredness is probably me still getting over the HA, etc but fibromyalgia was also mentioned - it's such a bloody minefield and no one has any clear answers! When I'm tired, the anxiety really can kick in as I feel that I'm not recovering, then you end up in the vicious cycle. I'm trying meditation and started counselling - never thought I'd be doing any of that! lol