chest pain after stent

[lollynanda]

Had a stent placed in L main coronary artery (95% blockage) 2 months ago.  Prior to the stent I had been extremely athletic.  Even after coronary ischemic attacks which began just before the angioplasty, I passed stress test with flying colors. After the blockage was discovered thanks to a persistent PCP, and the stent inserted, I had chest pain afterwards.  Was re-catheterized, all the major arteries were given a clean bill of health, but was placed on a beta blocker.  Terrible reaction to the first one, put on a second one, and finally my cardiologist took me off that one as well.  Although I see some improvement, I still have chest "aches" on exertion.  All on the left side, below the heart,, in the side, sometimes in the back of the shoulder, and above the breast.  Can not walk at a normal pace.  Walk very slowly to control the pain.  Cardiologist suggested cardio rehab which will begin in a few weeks.  But have not heard of anyone else with such symptoms.  Don't know if I should risk walkin through the pain, or if it is a symptom that should be further pursued, and or tested.  All of my blood work, tests have come back normal so far.  Should I be concerned?  

[Rie1]

I just had a defib implanted on July 3.  I previously had 100% of LAD and stent was put in.  There was significant heart damage.  Five days after the heart attack I had irregular heartbeat of 188 while at rest.  This was why i needed the defib.  I was not allowed to leave the hospital for 14 days until I could have the procedure.  I am not an expert on this but if your haven't had an irregular heart beat, I would ask for specifics of why it is needed.  In my case it is not a preventative measure.  I am 53 years of age, healthy in every other way and if I could take this defib out, I would.  

[wcmac]

I had two drug eluding stents placed in early December 2012. The only pain I had was left forearm pain while play very aggressive racquetball. My first night home, I experienced all sorts of pains I had not felt before, both in my chest and in my left forearm. A week after I was home, I returned to the hospital to get checked out and they said everything was fine. Ten days after the stents were placed I was playing racquetball again, with no pain associated with activity. I continued to experience different pains and sensations for about two months after the procedure mainly occurring when in bed. From what I've researched, these types of pains are pretty common even if nothing is wrong. Unfortunately, these pains can really freak you out.
The biggest issue I have now is the side effects from the medications I am on, which include Lipitor, Plavix, Metropolol and a baby aspirin.
I have been on Dr. Esselstyn's plant based diet for over six months and I feel great. My Lipitor has been reduced to 10mg/day and my total cholesterol is 91 and my LDL is 44.

[seusal]

I'm glad to see this sight I just had 2 stents put in 6 days ago and still having chest pain.How long does this usually last? I have been walking ,seems to be ok .Good to know other people having same symptoms.

[1blockedup]

Question for those of you that have been stented; Has any of your cardio docs said you need an internal defibulator implanted in your chest? From what I have read there are four categories; #1 is for upper valve flutter and the implant shocks the heart to restart a smooth rhythm. #2 is for the lower valves loosing rhythm, #3 was for patients that flat lined as this thing will give you the big jolt if needed, and #4 was a miscellaneous category for everyone else. I’m in #4 according to my c. doc.

Here is my concern; this thing has only been on the approved device list for 1 year so there isn’t much of a track record. Next, you are forever tied to you c.doc needing monthly visits for downloading the info it stores and battery checks, and the battery lasts between 4-7 years depending on how many times it triggers, requiring repeating the implant procedure every four years more or less. I interviewed one guy with a quad by-pass that he said it fired 60+ times first month. Sounds like he really needs it, or it’s on the same channel as his tv remote?

I had a single stent and the rest of the plumbing looked good. So, do they recommend these for everybody? I hate to be skeptical but doctors do vacation in the tropics all the time for pushing prescriptions and other things on their patients. It’s not widely known or talked about but my wife works at the same hospital so I know it is true. Doctors prescribe pills, surgeons cut, and cardio doctors…?  I’m scheduled for another ultrasound and then a visit with his partner the “implanter” but I plan to line up a second opinion before I make any decisions.
(and now my head hurts too…)

[311Rocker]

Hi everyone, I appreciate everyone's sharing their stories, good to know I'm not the only one with pain after stenting.  July 20, 2012 two short stents placed, overlapping to create a longer stent, in my RCA just where it branches off the Aorta.   I Was 90 lbs over ideal weight, had stopped regular exercise previous 3 years and was on Lipitor and Lisinopril. Added Plavix and full aspirin after the procedure. Changed diet immediately, followed the Mediterranean diet and lost 40 lbs quickly, but have plateaued for the last 6 months while maintaining my lifestyle change of the diet and regular exercise.

I have pain in my chest when doing cardio, but mostly limited to when I run. I can get my heart up to 135 - 140 bpm on elliptical walker with no pain. Very odd and i have been trying to sort this out so I can discuss with my Doc on my one year check up. There is no question that I can do more now than before the stent, but I certainly was given the expectation that I should have no pain. Just not the case!  Here's a few observations.  I have heart palpitations off and on since the procedure, but they sure seem to increase when I'm dehydrated.  I don't have pain if I use an elliptical walker, but do have chest pain when I run. However, not all the time.  So, I keep going if its a 3-4 pain level and stop when it's a 6-7 out of 10. I recover quickly and can re-start running   My conclusion is that my body is still adjusting to this foreign object, blood thinner changes flow dynamics around this foreign object and is a probable cause for palpitations, possibly while running which leads to the pain, and I need to continue to build my fitness level cardio-wise.
I have a follow-up stress test next month, my prediction is I will get a clean bill of just like many of you even though I have this intermittent pain when running.  I'll post after the test.  Clearly, my story is not over!

Live positive.

[tallykissangel]

Had LAD stent 2.3mm.80% stenosis and a NSTEMI.
No damage. Now my third week.
However have stent pain most every day.
I expected it and have been taking panadol every 4_6 hrs. It helps
Also i found large meals trigger the pain. The stomach muscled draw a huge amount of blood for digestion and its like a workout for the myocardium.
I found buscopan helped if taken well prior to the meal.
The very best day i have had so far was after my first cardiac rehab.  Very intense but felt good. My advice is use the same pain relief you would use for muscle pain.
The newer drugs like gabapentin and lyrica might help but need a script.
Ill let you how the pain goes.