Current Postings on This Page (21):
Karen in California -- depression is not uncommon
after heart surgery, angioplasty, etc. And depression can result in fatigue
and similar feelings, although sometimes these physical symptoms are the
result of new medications that
the patient is getting for the first time. The emotional distress after a
diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease requires treatment just
as much as the physicial ailment. Assuming there is no physical problem that
can be identified, perhaps your husband's cardiologist can recommend a cardiac
rehab group that deals
with
emotional issues. Sharing
stories
and
experiences can often be of great comfort.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 14, 2011
My husband had a quintuple bypass almost
3 weeks ago. His blood pressure is very low, and surgeon has reduced
the blood
pressure meds. However, he has no energy is very depressed and says he
feels worse now than he did before. Has anyone else experienced the depression?
Additionally he suffers from severe panic attacks.
Karen, Pleasanton, California, USA, March 12, 2011
Concerned
in Tampa -- having had a heart attack, your husband should be seeing
a cardiologist regularly, one who will work
with him (and you) to deal with and treat his heart disease. Every patient
is a bit different,
and
some respond differently to the various medications prescribed. Your
husband is now being prescribed three different blood pressure meds:
Toprol, Verapamil
and HCTZ. Your pharmacist was being cautious when he saw this combination,
which is good. But your husband should be seeing a heart specialist,
not just an
emergency room doc, and getting checked for blood pressure, etc. on a
regular basis in order to monitor
his
condition and achieve the optimal medical therapy.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, January 25, 2011
My husband is home from the ICU after having a
heart attack Wednesday and a stent and balloon angioplasty yesterday. So
he stayed overnight last night
and I am taking care of him now. Here is my question. The cardiologist prescribed
Effient 10m, Toprol XL 25, Aspirin 81 and said to continue taking his previous
BP meds, verapamil 240 and HCTZ 20. When I went to fill them at the pharmacy,
the head pharmacist said they could not fill Toprol and Verapamil at the same
time. He called the on call cardiologist (for the ones who put in the stent)
who basically told him to fill it. So now i'm very worried because the pharmacist
indicated that it could be dangerous to take together. I don't know these cardiologists
-- they are just whoever happened to be taking in ER patients (my husband
came in by
ambulance). Please, let me know if this is really alright? His heart rate (normally)
is in the 70's. His heart rate after the stent was in the low 50's (I know they
gave him lopressor in the CIU but changed it to Toprol 25m when he was being
released and they gave him his scrips to take home.) I'm concerned that the Verapamil
and the Toprol will make his heart rate too slow? But if this is ok, please let
me know! I appreciate anyone who has had experience with this. Also he is saying
he is VERY tired--is this because of the meds? or just a natural result of all
he's been through? Thank you again.
Concerned1066, Tampa, Florida, USA, January 21, 2011
My husband had 3 stents (1 LAD; 2 PDAs) put in
last week with 90% blockage in the LAD and 1 PDA. What should we ask
at our first f/u visit? Trying to educate ourselves. What do we do if his
dr. does not want to send him to cardiac rehab? My husband is still very
low on stamina and gets short of breathe easily and says he is not feeling
all that better one week out. Is this normal? My husband is very concerned
about going back to work as his work is very long hours, outside in the
heat and he exerts himself a lot.
CynP, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, May 30, 2010
A stent blocking up is called in-stent restenosis.
It is often treated by inserting a balloon and opening it up, or by inserting
another stent (often one coated with a different drug). These are off-label
indications (but then again, it is estimated half the procedures done are
technically "off label"). But this is not uncommon. Why wouldn't
his doctor discuss this with
him?? See
our
Forum Topic on "In-Stent
Restenosis"
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 16, 2009
I was wondering if you have ever heard of a stent
being installed an existing stent. I have a friend that this recently happened
to and he is very upset as he can not find any information of the technique
and the doctor refused to talk with him about it. Any info you can provide
would be helpful. Thanks.
CP, North Carolina, USA, May 16, 2009
To Robin, LV Robin, from how you described it,
your mom is active and tough lady, definitely a winner, not a whiner. If
she complains about chest pain just two days after stenting, then I would
definitely use the 911 option and take a chance that I was wrong later.
Perhaps the original stenting was not successful and the pain returned
as soon as the drugs wore off, perhaps she needs one more stent elsewhere,
which was not evident because of the original blockage. My comment is only
an addition to the Angioplasty.Org Staff, who is absolutely right in every aspect.
Please be persistent and aggressive as necessary.
Tom, Encinitas, California, USA, March 10, 2009
Robin -- have you contacted her interventional
cardiologist, the one who placed the stent? Many patients who have
posted on our topic "Not
Feeling Well After Stenting" report pain or discomfort
immediately after, which then resolves. But the fact that your mom
has felt enough pain to use nitro is something you should ask him/her
about.
We assume she is on Plavix and aspirin. Sometimes these can cause a
severe upset stomach or even bleeding, something that might be felt
in the chest/throat,
like gastric reflux, but you should not stop taking any prescribed
medications (especially Plavix and aspirin) without consulting your
cardiologist.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 7, 2009
My Mom is 69yrs old, very active all her life
making sure to get her 8-12 hours a day of work in here at home as if
she has a time clock to punch in at. IN SHORT, She had some chest pain
they
put a stent in. She has been home for 2 days and having chest pains up
to the throat, using nitro yesterday morning and this morning. Now burning
in her chest. We have stairs, she has over done it a tiny bit, scared
her just enough to not want to go up or down but NOW she is just resting
and
having pains. Is this a 911 call or normal? I'm confused as to what to
do and so is she. The Dr. told her 3 days rest, 14 days slow going and
then she'd be perfect. She was all for that when she said yes to the
surgery. I don't know what to do for her? I'm very sad, what do I do?
Robin, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, March 7, 2009
Terry -- the information you need is what type
of stent (drug-eluting or bare metal) and when was it implanted. Plavix
and aspirin are recommended for 4-6 weeks for bare metal; 6-12 or more
months for drug-eluting. Whether or not she should be put back on Plavix
is something you should consult her cardiologist about. Also read over
our Forum topic on Plavix
and Stents.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, January 11, 2009
My mother is 70 years old and has a stent to
unclog arteries, high blood pressure and diabetic. A tumor had metastasized
and was found on the left side of her brain. She cannot walk or communicate.
The doctors first indicated radiation therapy would be performed; however,
they performed brain surgery this morning. Please keep in mind it was
indicated the procedure would be conducted without taking her off Plavix.
I'm now
being told she was taken off the Plavix recovering in the ICU of the
hospital. Please indicate whether this procedure should have been done
based on the
risks. Wouldn't the radiation (non-invasive) therapy shrink the tumor
without performing the brain surgery? What should be done to put her back
on Plavix
to avoid any risks? Your immediate reply regarding this matter would
be appreciated.
Terry M., Sanford, North Carolina, USA, January 4, 2009
My husband, who is 53 had a DES stent put in two
weeks ago. The cardiologist put him on Plavix and ASA, which makes sense.
But he put him on a beta-blocker even though he does not have high blood
pressure. Also placed on Zocor and Niaspan. He is getting weaker by the
day but no chest pain. I am sorried sick. He has always worked out and
watched his weight. Only one artery was blocked adn the others were "wide
open". Called cardiologist and he wants to see him tomorrow. I wondered
if anyone had seen anything similar?
Melissa, Melbourne, Florida, USA, September 5, 2006
Jean -- soreness in the groin area is common and
should go away in a few days. However, if it does not, or there is any
increase in pain or bleeding, or a spreading purplish color (a hematoma)
call your doctor to take a look. Any other symptoms, like chest pain
or allergic reactions should likewise be reported to your doctor. These
types
of adverse reactions are small in percentage, but if they occur, should
be looked at.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 28, 2006
my 60 year-old husband has had a stent inserted
last week, during an angiogram. Can anyone please tell me what to look
out for in the post-operative stages? He is very sore in the groin area.
Jean, New Zealand, March 26, 2006
"T" -- Glad you are researching your
procedure BEFORE having it. We recommend that you visit our PatientCenter,
if you haven't already. Specifically read our overview of the procedure, "Angioplasty
101". Also look over our feature on "You
and Your Physician" and print out our list of "Questions
to Ask Your Doctor" and ask the ones you don't yet have the answers
to.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, December 27, 2005
I am a 34 year old with a family history
of high cholesterol. I will be checking into the hospital for an angio
this Friday and need to know a few things to prepare for my operation:
1) What are some of the key question i need to ask my doctor? 2) What
are decisions that need to be made while i am in the Cathe room.
T., December 26, 2005
my father is 93 and we have just been told
that he needs a pacemaker put in, he will be told by the dr in a few
days. my question is being his caregiver and his daughter, how do i help
him understand this is the best thing for him so that he may live longer?
i need answers before we take him to his dr. so that i can be supportive.
thank you
libby bechtold, caregiver, apple valley, ca, July 27, 2005
Hello, My mother is recovering at home after
having a Taxus Express II cardiac stent implanted on Mother's Day. She
says that she is healing well and feeling fine, but she will NOT allow
me to come visit her ( I have two young children. She is afraid that
my concerns/fears will cause her too much anxiety right now and she is
asking me to stay far away. I live two hours away from her in another
state. She lives with my stepdad, who I know is providing excellent care
but he is NOT her best medical advocate. My mom is a nurse and promises
me that she can take perfectly good care of herself and does not want
me to interfere. I wanted to try and learn all that I could about recovering
from cardiac stents. I also wanted to ask anyone if they know of any
long-term problems with the Taxus Express II stent?? This stent is one
of the new drug-Eluting ones. Any and all responses are most welcome.
Meredith Boulet
Meredith Boulet, Just a concerned daughter, Palatine, Illinois USA, May
10, 2005
Have him on blood thinners, l-arginine which keeps
the arteries expanded (talk to the doc before). Have nitro and aspirin
handy and keep blood pressure low.
Dileep, Newark, Delaware, USA, April 01, 2005
My father - a diabetic - while vacationing
in Australia had a heart attack (1/19/03). They have put him on blood
thinning drugs and have recommended he goes through angioplasty surgery
soon (before leaving the country). My father wants to return to the United
States prior to undergoing surgery. Is that safe?
Leanne, California, United States, 20 Jan 2003
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