When can I expect to get back to playing tennis after a Stent

[Jamessrh]

Woke up 20 days ago and felt a pain in my chest that was just not shifting. Luckily I live very close to the local Hospital so I walked to A&E and explained my symptoms. The long and short of it, half an hour later I was on the slab having a stent fitted, and a couple of days later I was out of Hospital and back at home.

I have been taking it easy and gradually building my walks up and trying to go a little bit faster on each walk. Very quickly within the first week I was feeling good and walking up to around 10000 steps. Now I do this everyday without any problem or pain at all - my sleep is amazing, never slept so well in my entire life.

I am gagging at the bit to get back to the gym, go to the sauna, and play tennis. I am 58 years old and would class myself as pretty fit.

Any advice on what is realistic and what should I not do please?

[Happyrosie]

you should have been offered cardiac rehab. This is led by cardiac nurses who are used to dealing with such questions. If you haven’t been offered this I personally think you need to seek medical advice

[Jamessrh in reply to Happyrosie]

I am booked in for a physio appointment next week so I am hoping at that point I should get a better perspective.

[Olivua in reply to Jamessrh]

Stents need time to... Bed in......Don't over do exercise and take it easy with arm work for a while I had to wait 6 weeks before I could do or use my arms....

This is important as the stebt can move and shift if there is too much activity by the patient and cause trouble....

Take it easy for a few weeks and contact your cardiac care about this...... Stents are great new life energy etc but when they move or go wrong... They go wrong..

Seems like u are pushing yourself. A bit. Much

Get clarification and be safe..

[Jamessrh in reply to Olivua]

I am sticking to just walking for the moment. I am lucky as the weather is good and I live by the sea so walking at the moment is really nice. My fitbit is showing that I am walking now around an hour and half each day and about 14000 steps. That does not feel like I am pushing it at all.

[george77]

Agree, you need to speak to Rehab team as they will give you guidance. But it's great you feeling so good already, however it is a bigger deal than you think and need to take it slow. Presumably you have been put on some heart related medication which will have effect on your progress too.

[Jamessrh in reply to george77]

Yes I have about 5 tablets I have to take in the morning and couple in the evening.

[Pundit999]

I second the recommendation to go to rehab and get their advice.

I am in a similar situation having received a stent 3 months ago.

I went to rehab and asked them about lifting weights. They OKed it but I have yet not started. I have just been doing brisk walks and light jogging and yoga.

[Daveinbridgo]

Depends where you live with rehab as you can't get it where I live as it's not offered or done in shropshire

[Captainclimax]

Ask your cardiologist is the best answer

[Bushdolphin]

I’m 5 weeks in after having 4 stents fitted and back to running a steady parkrun on a Saturday and I’ve been back at the gym for 3 weeks building weights back up steadily. I have no issues with this at all. It’s a case of listening to your body, it’ll tell you the moment you overdo it. Just speak to a decent PT at the gym first and explain your circumstances. I’m 56 and class myself as fairly fit too.

[wischo in reply to Bushdolphin]

Glad you are feeling well but honestly a PT does not even resembel a cardiologist when it comes to advice and there are times by the time your body tries to tell you something the damage is already done. Cardio rehab might seem a bit too tame but remember they have you all hooked up and are watching your heart signs as you exercise, so blood pressure, arrythmia and all the other signs are monitired. 4 stents are a lot really and that might well be the safest route for you to take.

[wischo]

Go to cardio rehab.

[SuddenShock]

If you are not sure and want advice from a qualified person then I recommend the bhf helpline bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

The rest of us are caring amateurs who are concerned for your (and our) long term health and don't want to give you bad advice

[BC4ever]

I had a STEMI and five stents fitted last May. My Cardiologist told me that it takes at least twelve months for stents to 'bed in' properly.