Submitted by Dr T on October 7, 2013 – 11:00am
Question:
In Feb. 2013 I experienced 2 heart attacks, which led to the insertion of 3 stents. Afterward I felt great, cleaned up my lifestyle considerably, however I did not right away. Recently I ve been experiencing angina pains when my heart rate is increased even by simple walking for 5 min. Is there exercise or pharmaceutical treatment, or is more surgery iminent? Thanks
Figure A shows the coronary arteries located on the surface of the heart. Figure B shows a stent-widened artery with normal blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of the stent-widened artery. In figure C, tissue grows through and around the stent over time. This causes a partial blockage of the artery and abnormal blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of the tissue growth around the stent.
Hi Kim,
Your symptoms are consistent with recurrent angina, either caused by failed stents (they do fail!), or coronary artery disease elsewhere and not treated previously. You need to be re-evaluated urgently by your doctors. You are not the only one with recurrent symptoms: Read this blog I wrote recently.
Hope this helps,
Comments 1
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I am 57 year old male, undergone emergency Angioplasty during Sept.2012 after heart attack with 2 stents. After 15 days of the procedure, I have been suffering severe unexplainable chest pain continuously (24/7) due to which, I am in fear day in and day out. Consulted various Cordiologists and undergone various tests, latest being Angiography year back and Echo, TMT recently. All reports are normal. Doctors treated with all kinds of meficine, but in vain. Pain persists still and most of the time it is severe. My BP is normally 130/80 and no medication for this. Further, I am not diabetic. I am prescribed with only Clopitorva 20 mg a day at night. I am so depressed and unable to bear the pain any more. Doctors opine that I have no cardiac proble. Please advise me how to get rid of this chronic pain.