heart attack

[LoriLeah72]

My Dad had a Stent placed after a heart attack one week ago.  He has been having jaw pain all day.  Should we be worried?

[Valve]

Unless this is normal for him, he should absolutely get this checked out given his recent history of stent. I would advise you get this checked with a sense of urgency. It might be nothing but better be safe than sorry http://blog.myheart.net

[ed34]

Jaw pain could be a sign of Angina. If this is happening if he is sitting down and relaxed then I would take him to the hospital for a troponin test. Now the problem is, if his troponin was raised a week ago before the stent, then it will likely be raised still today, but should be lower. They should have the records. IF this is indeed angina, then it should get worse with exertion. If he walks up and down a flight of stairs a couple of times he shouldn't get short of breath or get throat discomfort, chest pains or discomfort in the arms. He shouldn't get light headed or feel nauseous. If the discomfort doesn't worsen then it is not likely to be angina but it would still be worth getting his checked over. The best way to achieve the diagnosis at this stage would really be a nuclear scan. Sometimes looking inside the arteries with an Angiogram doesn't reveal all problems. A nuclear scan will show any areas of the heart which are not receiving enough blood and give good clues to the cardiologist.