Question for those who have stent...

Question for those who have stent...

Author
Discussion

Macneil

Original Poster:

920 posts

85 months

Sunday 24th December 2023
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Did your symptoms continue after the angioplasty or did they disappear?
How is life generally after the procedure?

Smurfsarepeopletoo

887 posts

62 months

Sunday 24th December 2023
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Had a heart attach last Sunday, had Angioplasty, no stent though as my arteries wouldn't take it.

Feeling fine now, just have to take it easy, seem more tired and when I do do something, I seem to tire quicker, but could just be because I am not doing alot.

Do get some chest pain every now and then, but got my spray for that.

Been to the gym today, but just sat on a bike, after about 25 mins I got a bit of chest pain, so stopped, didnt want to overdo it.

mikyman

115 posts

112 months

Thursday 28th December 2023
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Hi, I had a stent fitted around 11 years ago and it made a teriffic difference to my life. No more stopping to 'get my breath back' and iwas able to stop useing the spray.
When I went to see the consultant he asked if I would be willing to take part in trial regarding the rejection of stents. It seems that at the time there was a high proportion of patients whos bodies rejected the implants.
I agreed to do my bit for medical science.
At the operation I was given a titanium stent,latest model and the next day was sent home with a load of pills to take each day.These were the size of horse pills and I started on 7 first week, then 6 next week etc.
Over the coming 6 months I returned to James Cook hospital each month, to have blood taken and at the end of 6 months I underwent another angiogram to check how the trial was working.
It was called the 'Starrs' trial and I was told that the pills I was given,a type of steroid, would help future patients.
It was interesting to be part of a medical trial.
So in answer to your question, go for it,you might feel a little wary to start but you will get your confidence back.

MB140

4,267 posts

108 months

Thursday 28th December 2023
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My FIL had 2 stents fitted 3 weeks ago after a heart attack.

We often shoot together (clay pigeon), the last time we shot he was complaining on shortness of breath and feeling tired. We put this down to stress as he has become a near enough full time career for my MIL due to cancer treatment.

2 weeks later he says he feels amazing. We are off out for our first shoot tomorrow (buggy for him to see how he feels). He says he no longer feels tired and out of breath any more.

Had it done at the Royal Papworth in Cambridge, was awake for it all and took under 45 mins. Out 24 hours later.

Macneil

Original Poster:

920 posts

85 months

Thursday 28th December 2023
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Thanks for the replies, I had it done before Christmas after a small heart attack. I immediately felt less breathless, but have been getting a lot of aches and pains.
I think the statins are causing some aches, a few people have told me to expect that, but I have had pains across the chest after eating in particular.
Things appear to be settling down now ten days in.





Armitage.Shanks

2,363 posts

90 months

Friday 29th December 2023
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My wife ended up with 3 stents whilst on holiday in Spain 7 years ago. Had pains in her chest/arm thought indigestion and slept on it. Next morning didn't feel better and convinced me to take her to the local A&E. 30 mins later and triaged after which a wheelchair comes in and she's carted off upstairs for surgey that afternoon. Released the next day.

What follows for the rest of your life is daily medication and I think that some can cause side effects that might question the success of the operation until you find the right tablet or things settle down.

My wife had some chest pain concerns so we ended up seeing a cardiologist some time after we got back after eventually getting the DVD of the procedure and notes from the Spanish hospital (Google translate did a great job!). Upshot, the procedure was well executed, no issues and I think a change of statin sorted it. All well so far and hopefully for years to come.




Macneil

Original Poster:

920 posts

85 months

Saturday 30th December 2023
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That sounds quire traumatic, glad it's all sorted!

Armitage.Shanks

2,363 posts

90 months

Saturday 30th December 2023
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Macneil said:
That sounds quire traumatic, glad it's all sorted!
Thanks. Outwardly you look at a heart attack and feeding a wire balloon up a vein in your wrist to place some stents in main arteries as serious stuff but the speed of the treatment and discharge from hospital almost makes it feel routine. I have to say full marks to the Spanish hospital that did it. Excellent response. A&E was a quick and speedy response.

MB140

4,267 posts

108 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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MB140 said:
My FIL had 2 stents fitted 3 weeks ago after a heart attack.

We often shoot together (clay pigeon), the last time we shot he was complaining on shortness of breath and feeling tired. We put this down to stress as he has become a near enough full time career for my MIL due to cancer treatment.

2 weeks later he says he feels amazing. We are off out for our first shoot tomorrow (buggy for him to see how he feels). He says he no longer feels tired and out of breath any more.

Had it done at the Royal Papworth in Cambridge, was awake for it all and took under 45 mins. Out 24 hours later.
So FIL went shooting with me a couple of days ago. We took a buggy but in reality he walked most of it as he wanted to see how he got on. I’ve got to say when he started trudging up hill with a bag full of lead shot and a shotgun over his shoulder whilst I took a buggy up I was starting to get nervous and hoping nothing went wrong.

In the end he managed to walk 95% of it. Got to the end and he said it’s the best he’s felt in years, no fatigue, nothing. So it seems he has had a great result. I asked him about his pills. The Dr had upped his statins to 100mg (I think), but he was feeling nauseous occasionally. This has now been lowered to 50mg so let’s see how he feels. Early days. Only had the op 3 weeks ago.

C70GT

322 posts

92 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Had a heart attack at 60. Fit and active before, went to hospital and after several tests, told: ''you are not going anywhere, emergency op tomorrow to investigate fitting stents''. Had op and two stents fitted. Told to go back in six weeks for more stents on other side - appears they cannot do both sides at the same time. Back for second op and three stents fitted - two of the largest possible. Five in all. I had seven junior doctors come to see me whilst in hospital as they had never seen a patient with a heart in such poor condition yet looking so well - I felt like an exhibit in a Victorian Circus!

Eight years on and feeling back to normal and doing everything as before. On four pills a day for life and never had any pains or needed to use the spray - but do keep it with me just in case.

the-photographer

3,796 posts

181 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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Had three procedures, first was an emergency fix, second was a follow-up fix after spotting an additional problem during the first procedure.

They blocked several months later (happens to a certain percentage), had a third procedure and so far been fine.

You'll be tired for a day or week depending on your prior condition, age etc. Then you should feel normal, remember not to use your "procedure" hand for any lifting or pushing for a bit.

You'll also be on pill(s) for the rest of your life.

the-photographer

3,796 posts

181 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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MB140 said:
MB140 said:
My FIL had 2 stents fitted 3 weeks ago after a heart attack.

We often shoot together (clay pigeon), the last time we shot he was complaining on shortness of breath and feeling tired. We put this down to stress as he has become a near enough full time career for my MIL due to cancer treatment.

2 weeks later he says he feels amazing. We are off out for our first shoot tomorrow (buggy for him to see how he feels). He says he no longer feels tired and out of breath any more.

Had it done at the Royal Papworth in Cambridge, was awake for it all and took under 45 mins. Out 24 hours later.
So FIL went shooting with me a couple of days ago. We took a buggy but in reality he walked most of it as he wanted to see how he got on. I’ve got to say when he started trudging up hill with a bag full of lead shot and a shotgun over his shoulder whilst I took a buggy up I was starting to get nervous and hoping nothing went wrong.

In the end he managed to walk 95% of it. Got to the end and he said it’s the best he’s felt in years, no fatigue, nothing. So it seems he has had a great result. I asked him about his pills. The Dr had upped his statins to 100mg (I think), but he was feeling nauseous occasionally. This has now been lowered to 50mg so let’s see how he feels. Early days. Only had the op 3 weeks ago.
Couple of things, Papworth is the best and if you find the statins thread on here, you can read about lots of newer alternatives e.g. ezetimibe

Riley Blue

21,432 posts

231 months

Sunday 31st December 2023
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I was due to have surgery on my prostate when a heart problem was discovered during the pre-op. I was news to me as I'd never had any heart issues at all, not a twinge, nothing though I was told I'd had a heart attack!

The outcome was I had radiotherapy for my prostate cancer and three stents for my heart. I was told they'd do one to 'see how it went' but I had all three at the same time including the largest available. All done with a few hours though I was kept in over night as they couldn't start until late afternoon.

That was almost 10 years ago. I went through a few weeks of cardio re-hab and I've been absolutely fine ever since. Apart from having to take a few more pills every day, life hasn't change in the slightest. If I hadn't had some ECG traces explained and other data explained to me I wouldn't have known anything was amiss heart-wise.