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?  

[Jeff5038]

I have had almost the exact same symptoms.  I was a pretty active cyclist until I had a heart attack about a month ago (while riding).  I had a stent placed in the left anterior decending artery due to a 98% blockage.  All other arteries were normal.  I was told that I had insignificant heart damage, but since then I have had minor aches and twinges in my chest, throat and jaw.  The past few days, I have been getting a pain in neck just right of front center.  The pains usually last less than a minute, but reoccur quite often.  They are not big enough that I have taken my nitro yet, but quite concerning none the less.  My cardiologist didn't seem too concerned and said they are probably nothing.  Is it normal to have mild pains after a heart attack or stent?  If so, do they typically go away after some healing time?

[lildip]

I plan to call the cardiologist if this continues on because  I don't want to end up like tim Russert or George Carlin.  I don't know their circumstances, but I hate asking about something if I haven't given it enough time.  In my case, (the right artery 95% blockage) the Dr put 2 stents saying while he was already there he might as well put the second one in .  I guess that was because the blockage was so tight that he felt it'd be safer to extend the opening with the second stent.  A cardiolgy technician told me stent can collapse within 30 to 90 days after the procedure, and that "any pain or discomfort" requires looking into, and to use the nitro if it stays any lenghth of time.  Minor periods of time maybe par for the course at first.  I didn't see the Dr to ask him about it because he was on vacation, but I also didn't think to ask him of any possible side effects.  When I contact the office, I'll post any remarks he has to say about it.

[ranger275]

Well, being 45 at the first of two heart attacks, I feel better knowing my symptoms are not alone. I have three stents. Two in the widow maker and one in the back. I have pains all the time. Don't know when to get seen or not. I sweat here and there. Laying in bed is oainful in the arm pit, middle chest, jaw and at times the left arm. When I get excited or angry it gets worse. I am on Liptior, Niaspan, Plavix, Zetia, Metorpral, Asprin and Lexeprel. When I run the impact causes such pain in the chest and left area I have to stop. Nitro is a temp fix at best.

I am called a challenge and am down about this.

[toby45]

Wow! This is eerie to suddenly come upon this thread. Had a heart attack at 45 in Jan '08, with 100% blockage of the LAD. They stented it.

I had a rod like pain about the size of a 4" pencil to the left of my sternum - my cardiologist said it was nothing extraordinary.

Had a lot of travel and work stress in Sep/Oct and I started getting intermittent pain traveling up the neck to the left side of my jaw. The pain also radiated to my left arm pit. These were some of the same symptoms I had during the heart attack.

Went to ER with the pain as it seemed to last longer and was growing in intensity. They did an angiogram and found everything was ok - and have suggested my heart and blood vessels are fine...

I've given up on complaining anymore - they say I'm okay, but the pains are there. I'm exercising 45 mins/day and ignoring the pain as no one seems to think it's serious. But I know that they're not phantom pains!

I am completely exhausted after exercise every day - feel like I hit the wall, and my legs "shake from the inside". I'm on Plavix, Niaspan, Lipitor, Asprin, and Metoprolol.

Seems several of you are in the same boat. I'm just glad to know I'm not alone in these post stenting pains. Doc says Stents don't hurt. Not sure what to do at this point.

[damaxwellguy]

i had heart attack Nov 29 2006 stent put in ..than on DEC 2007 i was taken off plavix and 3 weeks later had another heart attack on Jan 03 2008 another stent put in..than Jan 15 2008 a needless angeogram to tell me nothing blocked....that was the start of constant pain ,heart palpitations,flip-flops ,burning blood sensations in feet and hands,numbness with hands forearms and upper legs..wicked heart burn and just feeling like death most of the time.its been a year and i feel worse now than ever..doctors don't listen they seem in a hurry to get you in and out to make that big dollar..going to energy is another night mare
i could go on and on but ..bottom line is medical profession in Ontario ***** and I'm not important enough to be heard.

[Jack54]

I agree with Coykendall that stenting of the left main is not that common, especially in hospitals not in the NYC area! You are blessed with some of the best in the treatment of heart disease and CAD.

Having said that, the process of stenting any coronary artery is very traumatizing to that artery. The stent comes with a balloon inside of it. The doc inserts the stent into the middle of the blockage, then pressurizes the balloon to around 235 psig, for 8 seconds or more. (Your tire pressure is around 32 psig) Then the balloon is deflated and withdrawn. Did you experience severe angina when the inflation occurred? I have during two out of six stents.

The plaque or clot is smashed against the walls of the artery and held in place by the stent. This prevents the plaque from going (flowing) to the myocardium and causing an mi.

Your left main is probably 4 or more times bigger than your largest coronary artery, when it comes to diameter. It also comes directly off of the aorta. You could have just a wee bit of damage in this area that would not show on an arteriogram.

You just need to give it time to heal. I suggest light exercise for a while if it causes chest pain. Also, don't you have fast acting nitroglycerin? This is a must for all with CAD. It can prevent an mi! If it stops the chest pain, it is also a good sign that shows you are experiencing angina.

I think that you may be experiencing "referred pain" from either your left main or aorta. Arteries do not experience pain, but the heart muscle that they are "grooved into" surely can. I have had six stents and after each of them, I have experienced pain from my heart, but much different than angina. It feels more like an injury, which is exactly what I think it is.

Just my $.02 :) Hope you get better soon, and listen to your body. It will try to warn you of serious CAD developments.