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| Author |
Message |
Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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 Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:23 pm Post subject:
Fearful after stents
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I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics. I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner? So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated. |
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listener
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 05 May 2005
Posts: 617
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| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:02 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in news:1119313438.152017.254240
@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
| Quote: | I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics. I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner? So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
|
Are you suggesting that there's a link between "gas" and blockages?
L. |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:18 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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Nope, the minor pain in my pecs felt like gas and when I would stretch
or belch it would go away. But since it was so persistent I decided to
have it checked out. I'm glad I did
listener wrote:
| Quote: | "Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in news:1119313438.152017.254240
@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics. I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner? So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
Are you suggesting that there's a link between "gas" and blockages?
L. |
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Bill
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 849
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:31 am Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics.
|
Really due to blockages caused probably in large part by bad genetics.
| Quote: | I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner?
|
It varies. My sister had 1 sent and was driving herself nuts believing that
death was around corner. She being about the most physically fit person you
can imagine with great numbers and the best diet you can imagine - she won't
even look at a piece of cheese. But I've calmed her down. Stress is bad too.
I, on the other hand, recently had a two stents put in and take it far to
lightly. For example, I should be off at the gym now. Instead I decided to
spend this evening on Usenet.
You need to be in the middle. Good diet and exercise. Be very vigilant. But do
not drive yourself nuts.
| Quote: | So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
|
Continue to be vigilant. I assume you are taking Plavix. The first 6 or so
months are especially critical. There is a phenomenon called restenosis which
happens when tissue, essentially trying to heal over the area where they put
the stent, starts growing through the stent and slowly blocks up the artery
again. So you have to be alert for chest pain which is the symptom for that.
Or it might well feel like what you felt before. You can also have a sudden
blockage which is fairly rare and you will probably know when that happens.
By the way I assume you had drug eluting (drug coated) stents put in. If so,
do you recall the brand - Taxus or Cypher? (Out of curiosity.)
And the person who caught this was good. Someone else, though they should not
have, might have dismissed it because you are so young and athletic and the
symptoms were mild.
Bill |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:42 am Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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Bill,
Thanks for your thoughts; yes I did have drug eluting Cypher stents.
The funny thing is I feel no pain or discomfort when I'm working out
which is one of the reasons my cardiologist said not to worry about it.
The aches and little pains occur when I'm sitting around. Yesterday was
a perfect example, I went to the park and walked about 2 miles and felt
great. My respiration was better than ever. I can now walk up three
flights and no have to stop and catch my breath when I get to the top
floor.
My cardiologist said that the aches could be due to the fact that I
have not worked out in a few weeks. I've been into powerlifting since
high school (20 years now) and this is the first time I never worked
out.
I am on Plavix, to be honest I'd rather be on nothing as I hate drugs
but if not I'd probably be dead in a few years.
The only reason the cardiologist decided to keep me in the hospital was
due to the fact that my father had a heart attack when he was 55 if not
he would have sent me home and scheduled a stress test. It feels good
when a person meets a good doctor.
How long did you waint before you started hitting the gym? I'm getting
really restless and my dr just wants me to walk and bike. I'd like to
start using some light weight as I'm lossing muscle tone.
Bill wrote:
| Quote: | "Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics.
Really due to blockages caused probably in large part by bad genetics.
I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner?
It varies. My sister had 1 sent and was driving herself nuts believing that
death was around corner. She being about the most physically fit person you
can imagine with great numbers and the best diet you can imagine - she won't
even look at a piece of cheese. But I've calmed her down. Stress is bad too.
I, on the other hand, recently had a two stents put in and take it far to
lightly. For example, I should be off at the gym now. Instead I decided to
spend this evening on Usenet.
You need to be in the middle. Good diet and exercise. Be very vigilant. But do
not drive yourself nuts.
So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
Continue to be vigilant. I assume you are taking Plavix. The first 6 or so
months are especially critical. There is a phenomenon called restenosis which
happens when tissue, essentially trying to heal over the area where they put
the stent, starts growing through the stent and slowly blocks up the artery
again. So you have to be alert for chest pain which is the symptom for that.
Or it might well feel like what you felt before. You can also have a sudden
blockage which is fairly rare and you will probably know when that happens.
By the way I assume you had drug eluting (drug coated) stents put in. If so,
do you recall the brand - Taxus or Cypher? (Out of curiosity.)
And the person who caught this was good. Someone else, though they should not
have, might have dismissed it because you are so young and athletic and the
symptoms were mild.
Bill |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:17 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119361342.549987.143590@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Bill,
Thanks for your thoughts; yes I did have drug eluting Cypher stents.
The funny thing is I feel no pain or discomfort when I'm working out
which is one of the reasons my cardiologist said not to worry about it.
The aches and little pains occur when I'm sitting around. Yesterday was
a perfect example, I went to the park and walked about 2 miles and felt
great. My respiration was better than ever. I can now walk up three
flights and no have to stop and catch my breath when I get to the top
floor.
My cardiologist said that the aches could be due to the fact that I
have not worked out in a few weeks. I've been into powerlifting since
high school (20 years now) and this is the first time I never worked
out.
I am on Plavix, to be honest I'd rather be on nothing as I hate drugs
but if not I'd probably be dead in a few years.
The only reason the cardiologist decided to keep me in the hospital was
due to the fact that my father had a heart attack when he was 55 if not
he would have sent me home and scheduled a stress test. It feels good
when a person meets a good doctor.
How long did you waint before you started hitting the gym? I'm getting
really restless and my dr just wants me to walk and bike. I'd like to
start using some light weight as I'm lossing muscle tone.
Bill wrote:
"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics.
Really due to blockages caused probably in large part by bad genetics.
I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner?
It varies. My sister had 1 sent and was driving herself nuts believing
that
death was around corner. She being about the most physically fit person
you
can imagine with great numbers and the best diet you can imagine - she
won't
even look at a piece of cheese. But I've calmed her down. Stress is bad
too.
I, on the other hand, recently had a two stents put in and take it far to
lightly. For example, I should be off at the gym now. Instead I decided
to
spend this evening on Usenet.
You need to be in the middle. Good diet and exercise. Be very vigilant.
But do
not drive yourself nuts.
So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
Continue to be vigilant. I assume you are taking Plavix. The first 6 or
so
months are especially critical. There is a phenomenon called restenosis
which
happens when tissue, essentially trying to heal over the area where they
put
the stent, starts growing through the stent and slowly blocks up the
artery
again. So you have to be alert for chest pain which is the symptom for
that.
Or it might well feel like what you felt before. You can also have a
sudden
blockage which is fairly rare and you will probably know when that
happens.
By the way I assume you had drug eluting (drug coated) stents put in. If
so,
do you recall the brand - Taxus or Cypher? (Out of curiosity.)
And the person who caught this was good. Someone else, though they should
not
have, might have dismissed it because you are so young and athletic and
the
symptoms were mild.
Bill
|
Javier
sounds like you are doing great!!! keep it up....increase exercise slowly
per docs orders...and yes you need the Plavix..
good luck |
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Don Kirkman
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 726
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 6:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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|
It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article
<1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>:
| Quote: | I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics. I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner? So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
|
I don't know if it's "normal" to worry or not, but it's totally
understandable, especially for someone who's been active. It's easy to
feel we've beaten the odds until we find out we haven't.
I'm also a victim of genetics; after a very mild MI I had an angioplasty
(3 arteries) and one stent as soon as they could get me into the cath
lab; my cardiologist who was a runner wanted me walking and, as soon as
possible, running slowly; as I recall it took about two weeks to run
comfortably. Thanks to the running, I was very aware when the arteries
were clogging again* so three months later I was back in for two more
stents. That was seven years ago and I've never had a pain related to
my heart since. My cardiologist told me that my MI was milder and my
recovery faster and better because I had been active, as you have.
* Exactly why he wanted me to run--early warning system.
| Quote: | By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
|
MIs come in all kinds of packages, don't they? I felt like I'd been
kicked in the bread basket.
--
Don Kirkman |
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William Wagner
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 29 Apr 2005
Posts: 809
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 6:45 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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In article <k0ugb1tpubtnghoscklbrbbcjacg4i4c8j@4ax.com>,
Don Kirkman <donkirk@covad.net> wrote:
| Quote: | It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article
1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>:
I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics. I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner? So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
I don't know if it's "normal" to worry or not, but it's totally
understandable, especially for someone who's been active. It's easy to
feel we've beaten the odds until we find out we haven't.
I'm also a victim of genetics; after a very mild MI I had an angioplasty
(3 arteries) and one stent as soon as they could get me into the cath
lab; my cardiologist who was a runner wanted me walking and, as soon as
possible, running slowly; as I recall it took about two weeks to run
comfortably. Thanks to the running, I was very aware when the arteries
were clogging again* so three months later I was back in for two more
stents. That was seven years ago and I've never had a pain related to
my heart since. My cardiologist told me that my MI was milder and my
recovery faster and better because I had been active, as you have.
* Exactly why he wanted me to run--early warning system.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
MIs come in all kinds of packages, don't they? I felt like I'd been
kicked in the bread basket.
|
I just got tired for no reason.
Bill
--
Garden Shade Zone 5 in a Japanese Jungle manner.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This may contain copyrighted ((C) ) material the use of
which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright
owner. Such material is made available for educational purposes, to
advance understanding of human rights, democracy, scientific, moral,
ethical, and social justice issues, etc. It is believed that this
constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided
for in Title 17 U.S.C. section 107 of the US Copyright Law. This
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:03 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
|
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|
Don,
Yep, I do feel like I had beaten the odds but then had the rug pulled
out from under me. But I do consider myself lucky since this was caught
early before an actual heart attack. My cardiologist said the same
thing about my recovery. If I had not been as active the recovery time
would have taken much longer.
How does it feel when the arteries start to clog again? What I have now
is a mild pinch in either my left or right pectoral muscle. The pinch
comes and goes very quickly and it's never in the same sport twice. I'm
not out of breath at all and I have noticed that I can walk my usual 5
miles at a much faster pace.
One thing I did notice is that when I do get the pinching sensation a
belch is not far behind.
I'm glad you're doing well. By the way, what happens if the stents get
blocked or if I develop new blockages?
Don Kirkman wrote:
| Quote: | It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article
1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>:
I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics. I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner? So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
I don't know if it's "normal" to worry or not, but it's totally
understandable, especially for someone who's been active. It's easy to
feel we've beaten the odds until we find out we haven't.
I'm also a victim of genetics; after a very mild MI I had an angioplasty
(3 arteries) and one stent as soon as they could get me into the cath
lab; my cardiologist who was a runner wanted me walking and, as soon as
possible, running slowly; as I recall it took about two weeks to run
comfortably. Thanks to the running, I was very aware when the arteries
were clogging again* so three months later I was back in for two more
stents. That was seven years ago and I've never had a pain related to
my heart since. My cardiologist told me that my MI was milder and my
recovery faster and better because I had been active, as you have.
* Exactly why he wanted me to run--early warning system.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
MIs come in all kinds of packages, don't they? I felt like I'd been
kicked in the bread basket.
--
Don Kirkman |
|
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| Back to top |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:05 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
|
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|
I got out of breath and felt a nice burn in both my pectorals. The burn
felt the same as if I had just completed a very high rep set of bench
presses. I would also have to stop walking. |
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:07 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
|
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I increased my stationary bike ride to 8 miles today and my walking
routing to 5 miles. It's funny I never feel the pinching in my chest
when I'm walking or biking, only when I'm sitting around. |
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Bill
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 849
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:19 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
|
|
|
"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119361342.549987.143590@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Bill,
Thanks for your thoughts; yes I did have drug eluting Cypher stents.
|
That's, in my opinion, actually the best one. There were 3 head to head
comparisons presented at the American College of Cardiology Conf. last March
and the Cypher stent came out on top on all 3. The Taxus people try to argue
around it, but I have never seen a study where the Taxus stent came out on
top.
| Quote: | The funny thing is I feel no pain or discomfort when I'm working out
which is one of the reasons my cardiologist said not to worry about it.
The aches and little pains occur when I'm sitting around. Yesterday was
a perfect example, I went to the park and walked about 2 miles and felt
great. My respiration was better than ever. I can now walk up three
flights and no have to stop and catch my breath when I get to the top
floor.
My cardiologist said that the aches could be due to the fact that I
have not worked out in a few weeks. I've been into powerlifting since
high school (20 years now) and this is the first time I never worked
out.
|
It sounds very likely he is right.
| Quote: | I am on Plavix, to be honest I'd rather be on nothing as I hate drugs
but if not I'd probably be dead in a few years.
|
It is critical you stay on the Plavix until your Dr. says it is OK to be off
of it. In one of those studies I mentioned above, they studied the liklihood
of sudden blood clots developing in people with stents. The liklihood was much
greater in people who got off the Plavix.
| Quote: | The only reason the cardiologist decided to keep me in the hospital was
due to the fact that my father had a heart attack when he was 55 if not
he would have sent me home and scheduled a stress test. It feels good
when a person meets a good doctor.
How long did you waint before you started hitting the gym? I'm getting
really restless and my dr just wants me to walk and bike. I'd like to
start using some light weight as I'm lossing muscle tone.
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I'm not sure why your Dr. is holding you back. There may have been some
concern at the start about the area in your leg where they inserted the stent.
But you are comming up to a month now and that should not be a major issue. I
think you should talk to him about lifting light weights in particular.
My problem with exercise was actually before the operation rather than after.
It was the treadmill that gave me the warning. I had mild chest pain
consistently at the same point in my routine. I pretty much knew what was
happening. But I went through the process of scheduling an appointment with
the cardiologist, then having a nucular stress test, then scheduling the
angiogram/angioplasty.
During all this time I cut way back on my exercise routine. After I got out, I
pretty much had no restrictions except to stay out of the water for a week -
because of the leg thing. But I found I had gotten out of shape and out of the
habit over that period and now I'm trying to get back in. I will be going
tonight!
Bill
| Quote: | Bill wrote:
"Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
I'm a healthy 36 year-old male and about three weeks ago I had four
drug eluting stents put in due to bad genetics.
Really due to blockages caused probably in large part by bad genetics.
I powerlift three times
per week and either walk 3-5 miles or use my elliptical trainer when
I'm not lifting weights. My cholesterol was very high total was 385
with the ldl's in the high 200's due genetics as my diet is very low in
fats and high in fiber. It's a given that I was ignorant for not
checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity
and good diet I didn't think I was at risk as my fathers diet was
horrible and he was a smoker.
Is it normal for anyone who has gone through stent implants to worry
about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting
around the corner?
It varies. My sister had 1 sent and was driving herself nuts believing that
death was around corner. She being about the most physically fit person you
can imagine with great numbers and the best diet you can imagine - she
won't
even look at a piece of cheese. But I've calmed her down. Stress is bad
too.
I, on the other hand, recently had a two stents put in and take it far to
lightly. For example, I should be off at the gym now. Instead I decided to
spend this evening on Usenet.
You need to be in the middle. Good diet and exercise. Be very vigilant. But
do
not drive yourself nuts.
So far I've recovered well and I'm already walking
3-5 miles per day as well as using the elliptical trainer. I still feel
slight shooting pains or pinches in my right pectoral but this is gone
in an instant and my cardiologist doesn't feel it's anything to worry
about.
By the way I decided to go to the hospital when a case of mild "gas"
didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have
lead to a heart attack if left untreated.
Continue to be vigilant. I assume you are taking Plavix. The first 6 or so
months are especially critical. There is a phenomenon called restenosis
which
happens when tissue, essentially trying to heal over the area where they
put
the stent, starts growing through the stent and slowly blocks up the artery
again. So you have to be alert for chest pain which is the symptom for
that.
Or it might well feel like what you felt before. You can also have a sudden
blockage which is fairly rare and you will probably know when that happens.
By the way I assume you had drug eluting (drug coated) stents put in. If
so,
do you recall the brand - Taxus or Cypher? (Out of curiosity.)
And the person who caught this was good. Someone else, though they should
not
have, might have dismissed it because you are so young and athletic and the
symptoms were mild.
Bill
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Javier
medicine forum addict
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:36 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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I was worse, one day I was fine and the next I had pain when I walked
about 15 feet to my car or around a store. I'm really glad decided to
take a trip to the emergency room.
I think my DOC is a little scared that I'll start off with heavy squats
and deadlifts. He scheduled a stress test for July 07. He told me once
he knows where I'm at he'll give me the green light. However, he did
say I could walk and ride my stationery bike. |
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Don Kirkman
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 28 Apr 2005
Posts: 726
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:19 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article
<1119391437.179902.232880@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>:
| Quote: | Yep, I do feel like I had beaten the odds but then had the rug pulled
out from under me. But I do consider myself lucky since this was caught
early before an actual heart attack. My cardiologist said the same
thing about my recovery. If I had not been as active the recovery time
would have taken much longer.
How does it feel when the arteries start to clog again? What I have now
is a mild pinch in either my left or right pectoral muscle. The pinch
comes and goes very quickly and it's never in the same sport twice. I'm
not out of breath at all and I have noticed that I can walk my usual 5
miles at a much faster pace.
|
I first noticed that running at my usual (slow) pace felt harder and I
was breathing more heavily. I can't recall now if I had slight angina
or not; I think not (I don't remember bad things very well.  )
I seem to remember that the doc confirmed my feelings at my previously
scheduled treadmill session which was shortly after I noticed the
change.
| Quote: | One thing I did notice is that when I do get the pinching sensation a
belch is not far behind.
|
I can't claim that, but after the second stenting every time I thought I
might be feeling angina it turned out to be gas pains.
| Quote: | I'm glad you're doing well. By the way, what happens if the stents get
blocked or if I develop new blockages?
|
From the beginning I was told that with each repetition of angio or
stenting the odds increase against you, but it was left unclear whether
they would try again or go to a bypass. That doctor left a few months
after the stents (he was the best of the five I've had, so I miss him
still) and the subject has never come up with my readings all top notch
since then. I assume both options are available depending on the doctor
and the diagnosis.
Continued good luck to you.
--
Don Kirkman |
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Guest
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| Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:55 pm Post subject:
Re: Fearful after stents
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|
"Don Kirkman" <donkirk@covad.net> wrote in message
news:57bhb1dcmoou7jnqmdugbd5rgr221dk6vi@4ax.com...
| Quote: | It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article
1119391437.179902.232880@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>:
Yep, I do feel like I had beaten the odds but then had the rug pulled
out from under me. But I do consider myself lucky since this was caught
early before an actual heart attack. My cardiologist said the same
thing about my recovery. If I had not been as active the recovery time
would have taken much longer.
How does it feel when the arteries start to clog again?
|
perhaps nothing!!!
our cardiologist insists on yearly stress echos....he noticed right away
that the area on the heart fed by the LAD was hardly moving...ie very little
blood getting thru...hubby at the time was wielding a sledge hammer 8 hours
a day...63 years old mind you...and previously a non exerciser in his
business years...
without that evidence...he could have simply dropped..."next time"...so not
all have symptoms...
I would "insist" on a yearly stress test...
the way you describe the "pinch"...doesn't sound like angina...esp since it
goes away so quickly..and not during or after exertion..
tho everyone is different!!!
btw..."gas"...ie indigestion..is often mistaken for angina....better to be
safe than sorry..
hang in Javier...and ask all the ??? you want to...this is a good group...
What I have now
| Quote: | is a mild pinch in either my left or right pectoral muscle. The pinch
comes and goes very quickly and it's never in the same sport twice. I'm
not out of breath at all and I have noticed that I can walk my usual 5
miles at a much faster pace.
I first noticed that running at my usual (slow) pace felt harder and I
was breathing more heavily. I can't recall now if I had slight angina
or not; I think not (I don't remember bad things very well. )
I seem to remember that the doc confirmed my feelings at my previously
scheduled treadmill session which was shortly after I noticed the
change.
One thing I did notice is that when I do get the pinching sensation a
belch is not far behind.
I can't claim that, but after the second stenting every time I thought I
might be feeling angina it turned out to be gas pains.
I'm glad you're doing well. By the way, what happens if the stents get
blocked or if I develop new blockages?
From the beginning I was told that with each repetition of angio or
stenting the odds increase against you, but it was left unclear whether
they would try again or go to a bypass. That doctor left a few months
after the stents (he was the best of the five I've had, so I miss him
still) and the subject has never come up with my readings all top notch
since then. I assume both options are available depending on the doctor
and the diagnosis.
Continued good luck to you.
--
Don Kirkman |
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