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Heart Stents and Weight Training

I had a stent placed in my right heart artery, after a minor heart attack. My doctor said he did not think I suffered any heart damage and other than a localized plaque build up in the right artery repaired with the stent, the rest of my heart arteries were clear.  Before the heart attack I had followed a high intensity exercise program involving both cardio exercise and very heavy weight lifting. I never  expereinced any problems while exercising and the attack occurred on a rest day. My plan is to focus on more cardio work with less intensity and to also weight train with moderately heavy weights for higher reps. I also plan to reduce my bodyweight from a lean 210 lbs to a very lean 190 lbs. My doctor said I did not have to lose weight because I was fairly lean with a 34" waist at 5'-10" tall, but I want to drop my weight anyways. At 190 lbs my waist is usaully 32".  I am a 62 year old male.
I have a stress test scheduled for Jan. 27, 2010 which will be 23 days after the attack. I have rested totally since the attack and will follow my doctor's advice about exercise, but my plan and hope is too be able to exercise with some intensity by Sept. 1, 2010. My question is can a stent be affected or dislodged by raising the heart rate too high through exercise. I plan to walk a few miles a few times per week at a 4 to 4.5 mile per hour pace (which was very easy for me in the past) and eventually jog for 20 to 30 minutes at a pace varying from 6 miles per hour to 8 miles per hour.
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Avatar universal
What record of the stenting procedure does a high-price private cardio clinic give the patient after the event? I got a written report and a copy of a  printed diagram marked by the cardio by hand to show where the stent was placed. I was told on leaving the clinic three weeks ago that I would be given a full foto? DVD? record during the next consulation. At the consulation I forgot to ask and it was not mentionned.  What should one expect? Have I not been fully informed? Should I put the pressure on?
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Avatar universal
I has a stent put in right artery May 17. I did not have a heart attack before it. I began mild walking and other exercise four days later. Was this too soon? I see references to g'ivng the heart time to heal' and got alarmed. I hope this `'healing' is meant for those who had a heart attack before stenting??? I got my stent because a stress test 'suggested' weakness in part of the heart wall. I hope I haven't been a dammed fool yet again with exercising?? I see the cardio in a week
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976897 tn?1379167602
Well your goal may be affected by any medication you have been prescribed. Most heart patients are taking beta blockers and these can seriously limit physical exercise. I felt like I was being held back all the time when on that medication and they tend to make you feel lethargic after a while. This medication works by blocking certain receptors in the heart for such hormones as adrenaline and keeps the heart from working hard.
If you are on beta blockers and want to return to intense exercise regimes, then you will have to discuss this with your GP. I assume they have established no irreversible tissue damage from the heart attack? and an echocardiogram has revealed all functions and anatomy of the heart are normal?
A Stent is 'squeezed' tightly into place using a small inflatable balloon. The balloon is deflated and removed leaving the Stent squashed against the artery wall. When I looked at my angiogram post stenting, I could see the artery was slightly wider in the location of the stent which shows just how lodged in it is. Arteries obviously change size with demand and the stent is put into position using a pressure to make the artery slightly wider than its possible fully dilated size. If a stent is put into an artery when its constricted and a low pressure is used, the stent will be loose when the artery dilates, so they have to use a fair pressure when inserting them. Normal tissue will quickly grow over the stent forming a new artery lining, basically building it into the artery wall.
In a way you are lucky because you say the problem was your right coronary artery. The left side is the most important for your exercising and I personally think due to this being clear, you will return to normal activities, if beta blockers can be stopped.
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63984 tn?1385437939
As I understand, a stent is quickly set in place by natural processes.  I was cleared for light weight work two weeks after the stenting process, and heavier workouts after three weeks, unlimited after a month.   I've had multiple angiograms/stents.  The concern with weights isn't the stent, it's the entry point in the groin... that must have healed before heavy weight work.  I was cleared for heavy weight work after a month.  I found that lighter weights with a lot more reps worked better for me, but I'm older than you, and you seem in fantastic condition.  Props to you!  

Certainly, by September 2010 you will be fine, I'd think you could get back to your high intensity work by the end of January, but ask your doctor.  
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328381 tn?1269364102
i have never heard of a stent moving with exercise i think you will be safe. i have had 9 stents and none have moved. after a heart attack you usally get cardiac rehab which gets your heart pumping. just follow your dr advise and you should be fine for exercise.
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