Heart muscle that becomes necrotic due to ischemia (oxygen deprivation) does not recover. Dead is dead. Dead tissue is commonly referred to as an "infarct". Until recently it was believed heart muscle will not grow in adulthood, but recent studies question this assumption.
There is a specific growth hormone that will cause cardiac muscle to grow and this has recently been identified. Experimentally, this hormone has been used to attempt to regenerate damaged heart muscle, with mixed results. It is not an approved or generally accepted protocol.
As far as recovery from the operation goes eight weeks should be sufficient for complete healing.
I assume you didn't have Infarction as you don't mention it, and besides, for some reason Cardiologists use this term as common practice even when no evidence exists. My records for example state 3xMI incidences, but I have no dead tissue.
Some people suffer very high levels of discomfort with Angina Pectoris and you can guarantee everyone in ER says "he's having a heart attack".
The word Ischemia means restricted blood, which can mean anything from a slight restriction to a full blockage. It simply means cells are not getting the oxygen/glucose etc for correct metabolism and waste materials build up as a result. This can occur during exertion and recovery can occur at rest. This shows how quickly the recover process happens. I believe I read somewhere that if the tissue has become 'stunned' it can take anwhere from three to six months to fully recover.
If you are on beta blockers, you are probably experiencing the effects from this which stop your heart from working hard, seemingly like it has some recovery to do.
QUOTE: After placing of stent,
what is recovery time for heart muscles affected by ischemia, hipokinesis?.
>>>>>There are two different events that can cause hypokinesis. There are heart cells that can be "stunned". This condition is SUBSEQUENT to an ischemic event such as a heart attack. There is a window of opportunity the cells of the heart muscle can be revitalized if the cells receive an adequate supply of oxygen within hours possibly a few days.
Then there is hypokinesis due to hibernating heart cells. This condition develops PRIOR to an ischemic event. For me heart failure was due to insufficient blood flow by occluded vessels over a priod of time developing a hibernating myocardium. This is characterized by viable myocardium with impaired function due to localized reduced perfusion. Hibernating myocytes retain cellular integrity, but cannot sustain high-energy requirements of contraction.
Pub Med: "Hibernating myocardium is considered a reversible form of heart failure. It is the response of the heart to impaired blood flow, caused by progressing atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. The heart decreases its contractile function to cope with the lowered blood supply, thereby avoiding infarction. As such, ‘going into hibernation’ is thought to be an act of self-preservation (little blood, little work) and the hibernating heart is often referred to as the ‘smart heart’"
I don't know the projected recovery time from hibernating heart cells. But a subsequent test for me after therapy (about 6 months) for heart failure showed improved EF and no hypokinesis.
thank you all very much. I wish I could get such reponses from my laconic cardio. I'd read that recovery can day from days to months depending on dead, hibernating or stunned cells.. Now I have a clearer view. It was a stress test with dubotomine that found hipokinesis and 'suggested' triple artery block. Nine dithering months later one stent was placed RCA. I do 5kms bike daily and two or three days a week hard pickaxe and spade work. I get an acheing back but no sign of heart or breathing strain. It's now almost four months since the angio.I see from your posts that I'm within 'normal range'. I'll be 82 on monday which might be a factor. I'd thought of sending an upbeat post for the angio clan. Perhaps I'd better wait for the next session with cardio Dec 4.
a second reading of your post got my focus on your para PUB Med.' Smart heart'. That fits with my symptoms and general record. Thank you again. Now I have a reference pòint to follow up.