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Medical Forum / General / Cardiology / June 2005Fearful after stents
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. "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 [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > 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. 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 > "Javier" <rojasj@gmail.com> wrote in news:1119313438.152017.254240 > @g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com: [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > L. > 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 [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > 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 [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > 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 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. > > 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. [quoted text clipped - 52 lines] > > Bill > Bill, > [quoted text clipped - 96 lines] >> >> 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 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. > 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. > 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. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > high school (20 years now) and this is the first time I never worked > out. It sounds very likely he is right. > 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. > 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 [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > 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. 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 >> > 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. [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] >> >> Bill 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. 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 [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >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 [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >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.  SignatureDon Kirkman > It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article > <1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>: [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > 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 SignatureGarden 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 material is distributed without profit. 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. 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? > It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article > <1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>: [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > MIs come in all kinds of packages, don't they? I felt like I'd been > kicked in the bread basket. 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? 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. >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. SignatureDon Kirkman > It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article > <1119391437.179902.232880@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>: [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >>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 >>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 [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Continued good luck to you. This is a great group. > It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article > <1119391437.179902.232880@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>: [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > Continued good luck to you. From what I recall, and you know I am not a Dr., they can and do do a stent within a stent. But the odds of restenosis are higher than with the first stent. However, if you go to a completly different area the odds are the same. Bill Just to let everyone know, my treadmill was delivered this afternoon and I stayed on it for 45 minutes at a pace of 2 MPH with no pain at all. It's not the fastest pace ever but it felt good. > It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article > <1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>: [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > MIs come in all kinds of packages, don't they? I felt like I'd been > kicked in the bread basket. > Just to let everyone know, my treadmill was delivered this afternoon > and I stayed on it for 45 minutes at a pace of 2 MPH with no pain at > all. It's not the fastest pace ever but it felt good. sounds great to me!!!!! keep it up.... >> It seems to me I heard somewhere that Javier wrote in article >> <1119313438.152017.254240@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>: [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] >> MIs come in all kinds of packages, don't they? I felt like I'd been >> kicked in the bread basket. It seems to me I heard somewhere that <Hawki63@sbcglobal.net> wrote in article <04pue.1323$N22.1240@newssvr21.news.prodigy.com>: >> Just to let everyone know, my treadmill was delivered this afternoon >> and I stayed on it for 45 minutes at a pace of 2 MPH with no pain at >> all. It's not the fastest pace ever but it felt good. >sounds great to me!!!!! And to me! Good news. >keep it up.... Indeed. SignatureDon Kirkman > Just to let everyone know, my treadmill was delivered this afternoon > and I stayed on it for 45 minutes at a pace of 2 MPH with no pain at > all. It's not the fastest pace ever but it felt good. Sounds good, do remember to loosen up before and to cool down after, also start off at a pace that is easily manageable and build up from there. It's easy to get caught up with feeling good and end up with muscle pain/cramp that could hinder future use until they settle down. FWIW, my treadmill arrived 2 weeks ago, (it's one of those with adjustable incline) and at 58 years old with stent to LAD (6 years ago) and CABG (2 years ago) I am up to 40 min, starting off at 2 KPH and building up from that with the last 10 min at 4.5 KPH then a cool down of 2 min at 2 KPH. My plan is to build up to 1 hour/day with half of that at 4.5 KPH, don't know if I will get there as mild angina (jaw pain) kicks in during the last few min of my current routine but I think this will improve as time goes on and I get fitter, just ignoring it at the moment....gulp. S >snip> Keep at it, so far I haven't felt an angina. I just hope I can help avoid bypass surgery. I can deal wiht stents but I don't know abount bypass surgery, the stents were scary enough. > 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. For many people it is **not** "what you eat" but "how much you eat" that is underlying the health problems. > It's a given that I was ignorant for not > checking my cholesterol levels but with the amount of physical activity [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > about when the "next shoe may drop" or that a heart attack is waiting > around the corner? Having heart disease is often very humbling. > 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 [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > didn't go away. That's how I found out I had blockages that could have > lead to a heart attack if left untreated. In truth, the stents serve largely to relieve symptoms (and possible to improve heart function) but do little to prevent heart attacks. The latter is achieved by identifying "risk factors" and aggressively addressing them. Having a waistline of 35 inches or more (especially in women) is an oft-overlooked risk factor. In Christ's love and service, Andrew -- Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD Board-Certified Cardiologist ** Suggested Reading: (1) http://makeashorterlink.com/?G1D5217EA (2) http://makeashorterlink.com/?W13A4250B (3) http://makeashorterlink.com/?X1C62661A (4) http://makeashorterlink.com/?U1E13130A (5) http://makeashorterlink.com/?K6F72510A (6) http://makeashorterlink.com/?I24E5151A (7) http://makeashorterlink.com/?I22222129 Thanks for the feedback. I always figured stents would help prevent heart attacks due to an increase in blood flow. So what are heart attacks caused by? Does this mean that since my father had a heart attack I'm sure to have one or does it just incrase my chances? > Thanks for the feedback. I always figured stents would help prevent > heart attacks due to an increase in blood flow. So what are heart > attacks caused by? Does this mean that since my father had a heart > attack I'm sure to have one or does it just incrase my chances? Hello, You asked some interesting questions. I suggest that you visit this website and order a booklet about "Heart Disease--code number 647-X". Call 1-800-599-5750 mention code DABP19 when you call the booklet was written by Doctor Don Colbert website: www.drcolbert.com I copied the above info. from the back section of Dr. Colbert's book. Jason SignatureNEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. > Thanks for the feedback. I always figured stents would help prevent > heart attacks due to an increase in blood flow. So what are heart > attacks caused by? Does this mean that since my father had a heart > attack I'm sure to have one or does it just incrase my chances? It definitely means your odds are higher and it definitely does not mean that you are sure to have one. Now that you are under medical care and are aware of the situation, your odds have improved. As to what causes a HA, I'm not an expert but I think the general idea, in a typical situation, is that there is sort of a cap around the plaque build up in an artery. That cap suddenly bursts. The body tries heal it over by forming a clot which blocks the artery. Here are some links which are probably much better than I am: http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_attack/article.htm http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4578 Bill Thanks Bill, it's good knowing that just because my father had an HD it doesn't mean that I will have one. I should explain that from what my mother told me he was experiencing angina, while he walked five or six blocks, for about five years yet did nothing about it. He continued to eat very high cholesterol foods and didn't see a DR until he had a heart attack; at this point he needed five by-passes. I guess if he had addressed the issue when he first felt angina he may have never had an HD or at least cut down on the number of by-passes. I guess since I paid attention to the symptoms I got a jump on the problem. By the way, I walked on the tread mill for an hour at a pace of 2.5MPH and felt no pain or discomfort. Beyond my power rack, calf machine and lat station this tread mill was the best investment I ever made. > Thanks Bill, it's good knowing that just because my father had an HD it > doesn't mean that I will have one. I should explain that from what my [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > and felt no pain or discomfort. Beyond my power rack, calf machine and > lat station this tread mill was the best investment I ever made. Javier, Keep up the great work re: exercise. I am not a doctor but I have conducted research on this subject due to my own health problems. Some of the experts say that the Mediterranean Diet works great for all people. I suggest that you visit a bookstore and buy a book related to this subject. You are off to a great start. Jason SignatureNEWSGROUP SUBSCRIBERS MOTTO We respect those subscribers that ask for advice or provide advice. We do NOT respect the subscribers that enjoy criticizing people. > Thanks Bill, it's good knowing that just because my father had an HD it > doesn't mean that I will have one. I should explain that from what my [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > and felt no pain or discomfort. Beyond my power rack, calf machine and > lat station this tread mill was the best investment I ever made. Sounds great! Hope you monitor your HR while on the treadmill. Bill Yup, the tread mill as a heart rate monitor and I'm stay in the 80-100 bpm range. It's really funny; I have no aches or shooting pains in my chest or shoulders while I'm on the treadmill or bike. It only happens when I'm driving or sitting around. The interesting part is how many of my friends have said that they experience the same aches. Javier > > Thanks Bill, it's good knowing that just because my father had an HD it > > doesn't mean that I will have one. I should explain that from what my [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Bill > Yup, the tread mill as a heart rate monitor and I'm stay in the 80-100 > bpm range. OK. Talk to your Dr. about the range he recommends. Bill > It's really funny; I have no aches or shooting pains in my chest or > shoulders while I'm on the treadmill or bike. It only happens when I'm [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] >> >> Bill |
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