My husband had heart attack 2weeks ago and had stent fitted.

[pennie2005]

My husband had stent fitted 2 weeks ago hes calfs have swollen up and are very painful so much that he can hardly walk the doctor said "hes blood wasn't flowing through properly yet and has put him on water tablets. any one else experienced this.

[Mike262]

I had an angioplasty about 16 months ago and the colour came back to my face within hours. Is your husband on clopidogrel which thins the blood and stops it clotting to prevent rejection of the stents? I think if he gets back to gentle exercise as soon as possible it will stimulate the blood flow. It does depend on how fit he was before his heart attack, but get advice from the cardio rehab team.

[pennie2005 in reply to Mike262]

Thanks for answereing, yes he is on clopidigrel, unfortunately he wasnt that fit before heart attack due to him being terminally ill with cancer, although he does try to keep as fit as possible and now with calfs so swollen and painful he is finding even walking very difficult.

[Hidden]

Hi Pennie,

Your husband has heart failure and the heart is not strong enough to pump the fluids from his ankles. Position him so that his ankles are above his heart to drain the fluid.

[2squirrels]

Ask his doctor if he should be lying lying down with feet higher than his head to help when not up and about. His body has has traumatic shock and has to get used to working normally again. Is he on medication apart from water tablets to stop body rejecting stent.

[pennie2005 in reply to 2squirrels]

Thank you for answering, yes he is on tablets but hes legs are defiantly worse today, im going to ring hospital where he had stent fitted tomorrow as im getting bit concerned now, i thought there would be an improvement by now, i dont know signs of body rejecting stent.

[patch14]

Seems that Windrider has the right idea. Also, make sure that his trousers are not tight around his middle. Get elasticated waists and make sure his socks are not cutting into his lower calf. Some men's socks are very elasticated at the tops and can cause restriction. Don't fall into the trap of cutting down on fluids - you must make sure that he drinks plenty - and do not hesitate to contact your GP or your Team at the hospital who did the op. They will also give you good advice.

[pennie2005 in reply to patch14]

Yes i have checked hes socks and he has elasticated trousers but i would have thought that by now the pain would have at least eased, hes Dr said to exercise, thats all very well but he can hardly walk through the pain, hes not a complainer so i know pain must be bad, i don't know signs of body rejecting stent think a call to hospital might be wise.

[2squirrels]

I agree about the trousers with elastic in the sides that's what my husband has. If his socks are tight at the top cut up some tights for him to wear as another thing after a heart attack is keeping warm. Also the more you worry the more he will and tht is very bad for him as he will be afraid already. Reassure yourself with the doctor but it all takes time. It is 17 months since my husbands HA but he is still very unsure and much slower which drives him mad. Good luck!

[eastridingbigden]

ring for an ambulance nobody should be in that pain sorry to say it could be kidney failure please dont mess about ring now!!!!!!!!!!!