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?  

[itsluigi]

Im in that boat with you. After reading many of these concerns and worries, I start thinking about putting myself to the test to work the remaining trauma out till its gone but its hard to be willing to risk my life to test myself and the reliability of the stent to the limits of my drive. I get scared I may be provoking or daring a heart attack again.
   Im sixty two. My circulatory circulatory system was fairly clear of plaques and looked good except for a chunk of plaque that came from somewhere and lodged in a narrowing area. That provoked a stent and following regimen.
   I want to explore to find my 100 % however I feel a small element of foolishness to do so, for I cannot say I wouldn't be virtually provoking a heart attack.
   I really don't know how to be sensible and make good decisions about this and am interested in info and knowledge and wisdom in articles about this feeling of need to "test drive my limits" again. I NEED INFO and word from the EXPERIENCED!     Got POSTS?

[444age]

This is a great forum. I'm 61, and was climbing Baldwin Hills (500 feet elevation) twice up and down followed by an hour in the gym on twice a week 4 days prior to my heart attack. I was feeling great. Obviously, I had been relying on collateral. On July 16 '14, after 5 hours of excruciating pain in my sternum and down my arm I went to the ER. The Circumflex was 100% occluded. They placed the first stent in me. The LAD and RCA were also 85% and 80% occluded. I had two stents in the LAD on Au 11 '14, and going for more in the RCA on Aug 25 '14. Now, I feel a sharp pain in my sternum after I walk for ten minutes. I have to stop for the pain to subside. I attribute it to the stent digging into the arterial wall. If I do 40 squats with only my body weight, I am out of breath and the chest pain flares up. This is very discouraging considering a month ago I was climbing hills along with 30 year olds. I am on Plavix, Aspirin, Lipitrol, Metoprolol, and Lisinopril. They all seem to have the same side effects: weakness and dizziness. My plan after the final stent procedure is to slowly start getting off these meds, except for the Plavix and Aspirin. If beta-blockers are supposed to slow down the heart and the intensity of the heart beat, then how can I possibly increase my heart rate when I exercise? It's a catch-22.

[izzan]

I never had a heart attack and my CAD was found due to GERD symptoms. I had a DES placed in my 90% blocked LAD in Jul 2012, I started having weird sensations to include radiating sensation in my left arm, very mild sharp sensations around my chest, very mild and very fleeting and then from Nov 2012 until Apr 2013 I felt great. I started feeling twinges in my arm, pulsing sensations in the cubital and biceps, burning sensation from my chest, I was getting lots of headaches and my BP was higher, had another stress test but BP quite normal during the stress test, was told all was ok. I could push a motorcycle up a hill, I was never winded or tired or SOB, but I didn't feel good. Finally the my cardio got tired of my complaints and did a cath and found a blockage on my circumflex, very tight artery had to put in a bare metal cause DES were too big? I feel better in lots of ways...those pains went away especially headaches. I have new sensations. different arm pain, localized to the side of my elbow and forearm, shoulder pain and chest pain, but sharp pains very fleeting , right side and left side of chest and right in the middle. I am going to get a GI scope cause I had sonogram my liver was a bit fatty and sludge in my gall bladder. I am on PPI, and the normal medications, aspirin, Plavix, crestor, HZTZ, atenolol and protonix, I am very sure that some of these issues are related to those medicines. I am here to say that you are not alone and have you tried a different cardio

[lassie4812]

Hi, I am a 51 year old female who had a heart attack 9/6/13 in the left circumflex it (dissected). they put in 5 stents (bare metal) continued having chest pain but continued my walking as instructed. I had another cath in October dr. said everything was fine but I was still having pain. Had another stent put in on Dec 26, 2013 after stress test showed blockage.  II had scar tissue block the same artery so the dr. put in one medicated stent.  Felt some better but then started having chest pain again in late January and have ever since. I had another cath done in april that Dr. said everything was fine but continue to have discomfort. I have worsen pain after cleaning all day and really toward the end of a busy day. I have only went  to the ER once which landed me  in the cath lab (prior) so I  am never sure when to go to the hospital and when to stay home so I just stay home and take nitro which does help. it just won't last. I retain a lot of fluid and have to sleep on 4 pillows. I now have anxiety attacks and am ready to scream!! I am on all of the above (meds) and really don't know whether I am doing more damage by not going ??? what to do??? any suggestions?

[bycbob55]

Great to see this site. I am 59 years old and four stents placed on 4/24/14, 85% blockage. I continue to have the same "dull ache" on my left chest above my nipple and in to my armpit. I have had one trip to ER after a few days home and like everyone else all blood work comes back normal. This pain appears to get worse at the end of a long day or after a long walk. Like a another person on this site, I am also on Dr Esslestyn's diet and my cholesterol has dropped to 110/57 from 269/204... The pain is depressing, especially if you do not know if it something you shouldn't ignore.

[only46]

What a forum! I just had a med stint put in for a 100% blocked in large left artery. I felt good after, started the med lines. Then 4 days after at home, I woke up with the start of arm and jaw numbness, then turning into chest discomfort again. Lasted about an hour, than subsided. What do you all think that's from?