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Exercise, Sport, Physical Activity After Stent (2007 archive)
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Current Postings on This Page (35): • My father is 57 and has just had a stent put in
after a slight heart attack caused by a blockage, he has been a bodybuilding
since he was at school and only stopped about 6 months ago due to deteriorating
health. He had real trouble eating
and lost a lot of muscle, he's 5'8" and weighs 182lbs now, he weighs about 220
to 260lbs in normally and has never taken steroids. While in hospital he was
also informed that he now has diabetes, probably from not being able to eat properly,
however he is eating normally now. I have two questions, firstly, can you have
chelation therapy after having a stent fitted? Secondly, my father is on statins
which apparently rob Q10 from the heart, is he ok taking Q10 as a supplement? • PA Doc -- your theory gives patient-observed credence
to something we recently discussed with several top cardiologists. One
of the hopes for newer devices, such as the bioabsorbable stents currently
being researched by Abbott and Biotronik, is that a bioabsorbable stent
will disappear in time, when it has done its work, and allow the artery
to function and move freely. Although modern stents have made great advances,
they still are metal "straight-jackets" in effect, so perhaps
your theory is correct. Thanks! • I underwent two stents in 10 days with no known
cardiac damage one year ago. Here are a couple of thoughts. First, even
though I was actively exercising right up to stenting, I did think it prudent
to slowly advance my exercise. After all, part of my heart had not had
optimal blood flow for God knows how long. Secondly, I have noticed, when
I start to exercise it is not uncommon for me to develop mild anginal aching.
But unlike before my stents, this peaks fairly quickly and then goes no
further. If I start out slower it seems to not occur as much. A friend
who underwent stenting several years before me noted the same thing and
mentioned it to me without my having brought up the subject. My theory:
the stents fix the diameter of the artery. Therefore, unlike in a healthy
artery where the artery is very distensible and adapts quickly to the increased
blood flow, the stented artery has a more limited capability to adjust
(quickly) to the increased needs by the myocardium for more blood. These
are just my thoughts as a non-cardiologist physician. Anyone else have
observations? • I had a stent in my right coronrary artery on
12-18-07. When can I start weightlifting and running again? • Nancy -- were you given a prescription for a rehab
program? Recent studies have shown that less than 1/3 of heart patients
are. Although it sounds like your fatigue may be related to the meds, given
your history, your cardiologist is the best source of help. Perhaps he/she
can adjust your medical therapy re: the fatigue, make sure your red cell
count is sufficient, etc. especially for someone who is on three blood
thinners (aspirin, Plavix, coumadin). And any exercise program should be
done in conjunction with a cardiologist, or healthcare professional affiliated
with a cardiology center. Too often the after-care of heart patients is
not implemented fully. Good luck and please let us know how you fare. • 43 yr old woman, no menopause symptoms yet, healthy
(5' 2" 130 lbs) been active w/ kids and exercise (walk/jog daily- with
6 kids ages 5 to 19). I had a spontaneous dissected artery in late August
causing MI and 2 medicated stents placed in emergency procedure. 2 days
later a spasm-ing artery would not open, causing ischemia, balloon angio
attempted to open it did not work, so two more bare stents placed to hold
the artery open. Nuclear stress test showed mild heart damage but good
ejection fraction. Had no prior risk factors-cholesterol good etc.(Except
similar but milder angina/spasm like symptoms 8 yrs ago resolved without
treatment). Taking plavix, coumadin, norvasc, aspirin. Cannot get my coumadin
regulated blood remains too thick. I wonder what risk I take with strenuous
exercise. Strenuous activity (moving furniture-carrying 7 yr old son upstairs
in play) preceded the MI by a day . Also an emotional upset immediately
preceded it. Have resumed exercise but still wonder can I exercise safely?
Do I have to remain on meds forever (side effects like 12 day long period
and much bruising-yet blood still thick at protime). Fatigue causing me
to fall asleep during day if I sit down, or driving making me too sleepy
(caused by meds?) Otherwise no angina/spasm symptoms, just fluttering/skipped
beats persist on certain days, but entirely absent on other days. • Neeru -- read through some of the posts here and
you'll see that exercise and physicial activity after angioplasty is very
important. Your father should consult with his cardiologist as to what
the proper level of exercise, yoga, etc. is safe. Usually start slowly
and build up to it. • My father got two stents in his arteries 3 months
ago. He is 47 years old, as his two arteries were blocked 99% and third
was 20% blocked, so now can he do any yoga or exercise, because he has
been so weak there before, and feels weakness in his body and in his mind,
after talking and walking for sometime. Please help me by replying. • P.M. in New York -- congratulations on identifying and taking care of the symptoms -- your blockage is now open, treated prophylactically, and without any damage to your heart muscle -- a scenario that really has only been possible since the invention of angioplasty. If you look at the recent "Nike-like" TV commercial put out by Cordis, maker of the CYPHER stent, you should be able to do all sorts of physical activity. But we urge you to ask this question of your cardiologist -- ideally the one who did the procedure. Each individual has his/her own clinical profile, and getting back to an active life is the whole idea (after all, David Bowie rocks out on stage with a stent in his heart...) -- but you should be guided by your physician, so it's done in a manner best suited to your physical status. Same advice to Professor Das in India as to whether brisk
walking is advised. We assume, by the way, that you have stopped smoking
altogether -- smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for coronary artery
disease. As for Ecosprin, which is a brand of enteric-coated aspirin made
in India, clopidogrel and aspirin both are antiplatelet, or anti-clotting,
drugs -- but they work differently and are used together as
standard therapy prescribed after stenting, also used in together in other
cases as well. However, these types of drugs can also result in increased
risk of bleeding, so these issues should be discussed with your doctor. • I am 66 and have had a sedentary life for about
last 20 years. I was smoking about a packet of 10 cigarettes till 2000
March. Of course again smoked 5 cigarettes in September 2007 in 5-6 days.
I don't take alcohol. In 2003 without any symptoms I went for a package
for normal check up in a local hospital. They found my TMT positive for
inducible ischemia. Again I had a similar checkup up in November 2007 and
was positive for inducible ischemia in TMT and was advised for angiography.
On doctor's advice I am taking ecosprin 150 mg, Atorvastatin 10 mg (i have
serum Cholesterol 226.3 mg/dl, S.triglyceride 98.8mg/dl,HDL 54.5mg/dl,and
LDL 135.8 mg/dl and VLDL 19.7mg/dl.Eco-cardiography showed No RWMA, Good
LV Systolic function, but Diastolic dysfunction. I am also taking Nitroglycerine
2.6 tab and metoprol25 as a preventive measure. Another doctor is advising
to take Clopidogrel in stead of Ecosprin. I am also advised not to go in
for brisk walking which I started after the last test. Can I be advised
by you Sir? I feel fortunate to have a forum like this to discuss my problem.
Thank you. • Just got out of the hospital last week! i am a
42 yr old male ex collegiate tennis player and have a very stressful banking
position. Was wondering also what to expect moving forward. i had a stent
put in for a 99% blocked left artery. Couldn't believe it at first and
was shocked. Symptoms showed likely a week before when i was playing tennis
and for the first time ever experienced shortness of breath which went
away after sitting down. Cut a long story short I went to the hospital
6 days later and the received the PTCA and stent. My cholesterol was 255
and too high. Your posts have been very inspirational and I'm going to
make this best of this second chance. Would like to know when i can expect
to get back to exercising fully? • The answer to this will vary from one individual
to the next since it depends on so many variables. It will also depend
on the person's doctor or cardiologist since some may be conservative while
others may be aggressive. • can a person suffering with angina and with stents
contnue his work normally? • I had a stent May 18, 2002, than another October
17, 2007. I am curious what level of exercise might be prudent. In the
8 days since I was released, I have run 40 miles including a half marathon
where I ran my best time of the last 11 months. Is this normal, excessive,
dangerous? • Sir, I had an angioplasty done in October, 2007,
Two stents have been placed in my arteries which had a blockage of about
70%. I am not diabetes patient and i have not high bp problem and my cholesterol
is normal after attack could you please tell me what kind of precautions
should i take and what kind of fitness exercise should i do? • Hello This program is very usefull and interesting,thanks
for you. My age is 64 years, every year i make check up for my whole body.From
about 2 months, I check up my heart & the doctor tell me that it is safety
for me to put 2 stent, since Iam feeling till now very good.(I have 70%
and 90% closing).I did it, and he gave me plavix+baby aspirin(80) + fish
oil +crestor. Till today i feel nothing changes in my body(I forgett to
tell,I stopp smoking),I ride every day my bike for 2 hours. is their any
thing else to do.& how can i check my stent if they are working good or
not, is their a way for that. thanks thanks & thanks • Hi Colin I too am from UK and have had 2 stents
fitted at different occasions. I must admit that I have never received
any info regarding exercise progs at all and I have asked. So i just do
what i can until i feel any tightness in the chest, but have had another
stress test which I have failed so it looks like back to the hosp for another
angio. • I am aged 65, having had heart failure in April
this year. I was rushed to Western General in Edinburgh, where they put
a balloon in the main artery to keep it open. From there I was rushed to
the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh (RIE), as they could`nt do anything for me
due to the heart being in the condition it was. They could`nt give me a
bypass, as during my stay in the Western I must have had a heart which
left me with a small part of my heart having died, and the heart beating
for six hours at 120 per min. They thought I was`nt going to make it, that
was until Dr Neil Uren decided he was going to try and put stents in, and
that his odds were better than 1 in 5 chance, of which I was given, if
they had decided to go ahead with the triple bypass. Of course I decided
to go ahead with it, putting two stents in the main artery, of which 99%
was shut, and two in another artery that was 90% shut, and a further one
in another artery that was 65% shut. I will never be able to thank him
enough, for what he did for me, this man is utterly amazing. I know it
is there job, but he has a certain something that I have never seen in
other doctors. Just last month I had to go for a check up to the RIE, and
was told by Dr Urens colleague that I did`nt need further treatment, but
if at any time had further symptoms to consult my own doctor. Since having
had the stents put in, I have always had a slight ache/tightness in the
chest, when I go walking up hills, its like having a restrictor fitted
I imagine, reaching your limit. Somedays there is nothing though, and other
days its worse, ache I mean. Can you advise what this could be, should
I get this checked out, or do you think that its probably due to the heart
not being 100%, i.e. some of the cells being dead. • Has anyone experienced stiffness in the right
knee, as when one has way over-exercised it? Just a three days ago I received
a stent without a problem (actually, a hematoma at incision site the next
day-but was quickly under control); I was up and walking around by late
evening, and walking comfortably with my wife the next day (no stairs yet).
Was discharged and returned home yesterday, walked a bit, but woke up in
the middle of the night and found a painfully stiff (but not swollen) knee.
Your thoughts or is it the obvious over-exertion? Thanks. • Sir, I had a angioplasty done in September, 2004,
Two stents have been placed in my arteries which had a blockage of about
80%. could you please tell me what kind of precautions should i take and
what kind of fitness exercise should i do? • Hi all... I suffered an MI in August 07. Was recovering
well but had another after 5 weeks and 6 days. Just before I was due to
go back to work! This time I was sent for angioplasty and had 2 stents
in Right Coronary Artery 6 days later. The next morning I went for a 10
min stroll around the lake in the hospital grounds. I'm home now and planning
on taking things easy for a couple of days but i've not had any specific
advise on what level of exercise to try and attain. I think I'll just have
to go with how I feel and not overdo things - and try to be honest with
myself about how I feel so I DONT push myself too hard. I suppose it's
trial and error. Good luck to everyone though - nice to read the helpful
and encouraging comments! • I have been a cyclist all my life started racing
at 16 and continued till I was 30, then just social riding as I had a hectic
and active job until I retired at 61. Health check at that time said I
was fit as a flea. 2004 I started club riding again as much as anything
to get rid of unwanted weight then found that I was close to being type
2 diabetic. Exercise and loss of weight got it under control. 2005 I started
racing and was turning in some reasonable TT times. April this year I found
that I was having breathing difficulties when racing and although I was
fitter and stronger, due to the shortness of breath I was going slower
in the shorter distances and lacked speed. In May my Dr. diagnosed, exercise
induced asthma and prescribed 2 types of inhaler, they helped a bit but
left me with a very sore throat that did not help my breathing. I found
that I had loads of stamina, 90k hilly TT in just 3 hours. Short distances
just blew me away, it was like racing into the wind and uphill all of the
time. In August another Dr, said the problem was my heart that was causing
the breathing problems. A subsequent Echo.test has revealed that I have
a calcium build up in my aortic artery that is preventing increase of blood
when racing hard. At the moment my Dr. has not prescribed any medication
but has booked me in for a stress test and told me to keep cycling, but
not exert my self for now. Yes I want to continue to ride my bike and continue
to race, obviously my Dr. cannot make a final recommendation for the future
until after the stress test but has anyone got any ideas on how things
are going so far. I am very interested and inspired by all the comments
that I have read. • Hi - I am a 45 year old woman who has been very
fit in the past, a cycler and jogger and all kinds of activities - and
into nutrition; juicing, vitamins, etc. but for the last 6-7 years have
slowly been slipping due to job demands and so on - to the tune of 40 extra
pounds and no regular exercise routine anymore. I experienced a rather
sudden onset of chest and arm achiness and fatigue when doing something
physical like climbing stairs or hurrying around, and tried to ignore it
for about a week, but then my husband convinced me to call the doctor.
I was diagnosed with diabetes II (high BS) on 8/1/07 and my triglycerides
were way out of whack, and first thought was perhaps the diabetes was the
source of my discomfort, but he decided to send me in for a stress test "just
in case" and later that day was given an angiogram and they found a 99%
blockage of my LAD! This was just a week ago on 8/3/07. I got a Taxus Express2
stent before I knew what hit me. Doing GREAT so far and am so full of energy
now and feeling so good that it is really hard to "take it slow". Apparently
I had been feeling run down for a while and didn't realize it. Also my
blood sugars were causing some symptoms, and in this week I have them in
better control too. I asked when I could start walking on my third day
home, and was told that by the weekend I could, so starting this last Saturday
I have been walking about 1/2 mile (and resisting the urge to run!). My
legs are feeling it a bit from being out of shape, but I have no other
pain and I feel like my lungs could fill till they burst...I feel so good
out there. I can't believe the difference. I know I need to take it easy
for my leg incision so I will of course. My cardiologist is starting me
in Cardiac Rehab probably in another week, which I hear is quite vigorous.
I am really looking forward to that. If it weren't for all the unknowns
about these stents and the new thing concerning the collateral artery growth,
I would be quite ecstatic right now. But the alternative of possibly not
being here at all today makes it worth the experiment for me. I am going
to take this second chance as far as I can. No more slipping for me. I
plan to read more of these discussions and will keep visiting this site.
This is great to read what others have experienced, as I am completely
new to anything "cardiac". Thanks! • Could you please advise me, I am 50 years old
man, who passed a massive heart attack on 2nd June 2007. I was shifted
to the ICCU of the Hospital, and was advised to do Angiography. On 15th
June Angiography had been done, and Angioplasty with 1 medicated Stent
and was shifted for a day in the ICCU. I am at home now and would like
to be advised about my diet, exercise, medicine and the period of rest. • Hi, all. I'm a 58 year old woman, moderately active,
who had a heart attack 1-1/2 years ago, one stent placed in my LAD. Question:
we are planning a trip to the Colorado Rockies this summer and I wonder
if I will encounter any difficulty with the altitude? Will the reduced
oxygen cause any problems? My cardio doc said he'll do a thallium stress
test before I go, but I'd still like YOUR opinions and/or experiences!
Thanks! • I had a heart attack sitting at my desk on Nov. 7 2006. I was a reasonably health 43 year old male weighing 184 lbs at the time with a TC of 192. No family history. On the day of the attack I got to the hospital in 45 minutes from the start of symptoms and did little or no damage to the heart. Symptoms were a burning in the center of my chest (like a real bad heart burn) followed by arm numbness and nausea. My BP was wacky at 140/94 (normal had been about 122/69). The blockage was 70-80% and 2 Cypher Stents were used in an overlapping fashion to keep the artery open and repair a lesion. (as I understand it post FDA Panel, this is an off-label use of the Stent. My Interventional Cardiologist group does not think too much of the recent concerns of DES s and called the FDA Panel finding hogwash ). I had been leading a pretty sedentary life-style the previous 2 years due to career and schedule changes. Prior to that time I was a 2-3 time a week surfer and mountain biker. I received no offer of cardiac rehab and got about 30 minutes with a cardiac therapist before I left the hospital Nov 10. During this 30 minute session, I was instructed to start walking for 5 minute walks very slowly 3-5 times a day. This was to start when I got home from the hospital. These walks were to increase both in duration and speed daily as long as I was not feeling any discomfort. About 2 weeks after the heart attack the wife and I were walking 30 minutes 2-4 times per week. This continued with both duration and intensity increase up until the middle of February 07. At that time I thought I would try to set out on my bike for a trail ride. I lasted about 5 minutes. I started off too hard and my HR jump up too fast. It hit about 145 bpm (max is 179) and I felt really bad and thought I was going to die. Bottom line, I went to hard to fast no warm up. At that point I decided to invest in a Heart Rate Monitor. This has helped tremendously. I now do warm ups and cool downs and try to train in a range somewhere between 65-85% of max for 45 minutes a day 4-6 times a week. I set out on the bike the next week after purchasing HRM and was able to ride the same trail for 45 minutes. Have been training with the HRM now for 4 weeks. I called my cardiologists about limits and max Heart Rates, and was told there was no limitations on HR except what was uncomfortable to me. Now 4 weeks into the use of a HRM I started running tonight. After a warm up, I did 2 minutes of running and 2 minutes of cool down for 4 sets for a total of 45 minutes. My BPM got up to 165 at the end of each 2 minute run (90+% of max), but I recovered while walking to 122 in about 2.5 minutes each time. My only concern is Ken's comments below [July 16, 2006]
about the theory that increased turbulence (and increased shear forces
at the artery wall) causing possible restenosis and delayed cell growth
(see post dated July 16, 2006 below). I am concerned that now nearly 5
months out from the stenting I may be going a little too hard. But no real
chest pain in these workouts. Comments? • I am a 48 year old long-time regular runner and I work out regularly with dumbells and an exercise machine. In mid-December 2006 I began to experience chest pains when I would reach a certain level of exertion on the treadmill. I tried to run through it as much as I could as with my level of fitness I refused to believe that I had any cardiac problems, especially since I only experienced the pains while on the treadmill. As soon as I would slow down or stop the pains subsided. I continued this way for two weeks and after realizing that the condition was getting no better, I finally decided I had better get it checked. I was shocked to find out that I had a 95% blockage in one of my main arteries! This despite having none of the standard risk factors. An angioplasty was scheduled for February 1st and two stents were inserted. The reason I am posting this entry is to help others who were asking the question that I was desperately trying to get an answer for leading up to the angioplasty. Will I be able to continue my regular fitness routine after the procedure and will I be able to return to my previous levels of fitness? I received all kinds of different answers with different tones and I did not know if and how long it would be until I would be able to resume running and lifting, and if I could ever get back to my previous levels of fitness. I am pleased to report today (March 25th 2007) a resounding
YES! I began running on the treadmill one week after the angioplasty and
lifting after two weeks. I am now able to run for an hour at a time comparable
to where I was before, and I actually am feeling that my body is getting
in better shape from lifting than it was before. I don't know if everyone
can expect similar results and I do feel fortunate, but I hope my story
helps to relieve some of the trepidation that others with the same concerns
might be feeling. • Nizami -- glad to hear you're feeling well. Exercise
is a very important activity -- keeping the body active has all kinds of
good effects. Also, of course, a good diet, no smoking(!!!) and staying
on your prescribed meds. The proper level of activity (and diet) is something
your doctor should be able to help you with, or send you to someone who
can. Activity level can vary a lot from person to person. Of course, all
of these things are what all people should be doing, whether they have
had heart disease or not. Great to hear from someone in Azerbaijan. Good
luck and please keep in touch! • I had an angioplasty two years ago in my RCA.
Also, I have II type diabetes and high blood pressure (160-170/100 mmHg).
Regularly taking atenolol, amlipin, thromboass, etc. I feel very good now.
What is the long term prognosis and what else do you recommend? Sincerely,
Nizami Rzayev. • it was a revelation to find this forum .like many
of you i suffered an MI in july 2006 and 3 weeks later had 2 stents inserted
.Being a 60 year old fitness freak running 20+ miles per week and on what
i considered an excellent diet i was amazed when it happened. Now 7 months
later i still get times of uncertainty even though all the treadmill tests
have shown no sign of angina or pain. My problems started after the stents,
i began experiencing terrible stomach wind and soreness in the stomach
.The doctors put it down to stress and even now these feelings have caused
me a few false alarms whereby i have ended back at the cardio dept to get
checked out and each time they say i' ok. But they can't get rid of this
stomach problem i have had the all clear after the endoscopy. I have slowly
returned to work which isn't strenuous and am slowly starting to get back
to jogging again but how far and how much no one seems to be able to tell
you. I guess its a case of suck it and see. problem is when you start to
pick up the pace that nervous feeling comes over me and i start listening
to my heartbeat too much .Guess i'll have to try and control those negative
thoughts .stay healthy people nice to be here . • Sarah and JohnD -- the safe (or proper) level
of exercise post-procedure is a very individualized thing. So much depends
on your clinical situation, factors that an online source can't begin to
weigh. (Sarah, you didn't say if you were a stent recipient.) We would
certainly advise anyone, stent recipient or not, to consult with your doctor
before starting an exercise program. But we would not expect extremely
vigorous exercise to be done just two weeks after stenting -- you'd want
to make sure everything (including the femoral puncture site) is healed
first. That being said, there's no reason to think that you couldn't increase
activity, assuming you were not experiencing heart rhythm problems, angina,
etc. There are professional baseball players and other atheletes who have
been stented and resumed their careers. Perhaps someone in Sports Medicine
might be able to refer you to a sports-minded cardiologist for advice.
Anyone on this Forum have advice or referral info? • I'm a woman 150lbs. I'm 5' 2". I'm 42 years old
and I would like to stay healthy. Can you tell me what type and the amount
of exercise that would be right for me? • I was a 6ft/170# 50 yo avid cyclist (some mountain
bike racing,100mi road rides, peak HR's to >175)....until 2 weeks ago.
I had occasional mild chest pressure at higher HR's, pos Cardiolite (No
MI). Ended up getting LAD stent (Taxus) at bifurcation with 1st diagonal,
with no other significant blockages. No risk factors except family history & stress,
and no other health problems. My cardiologist is not athletic & has no
real idea about "serious" exercise. His long-term GOAL of 3-4 sessions
of 20-30min at HR 125-130 I find depressing. I have no symptoms now to
HR 120. Can I demand repeat stress testing to help "clear" me for more
activity? Any source of info on vigorous exercise after stenting would
be appreciated!!! • R.G. -- if both you and your wife heard "3
days" would be okay, chances are that's what your cardiologist said,
but why not just call to confirm (every patient is different and the concern
may be less the stents, than with making certain the femoral puncture site
closed with StarClose is healing well). • My question is about how soon I can exercise after
stenting. I underwent a Cypher stent placement in my circumflex artery
on Dec. 27 with a StarClose device used to close the femoral artery puncture
site. This was 9 days after the same thing was done for a lesion in my
RDA. Like others in this forum, other than being a fat kid until I was
16 (now 54), I have exercised regularly and do not have any other risk
factors. My wife and I swear the cardiologist answered that I may resume
the stationary bike 3 days (would have been Dec 30) after the procedure
and I am dying (no pun intended) to do so. Does anyone have any other information
or experience with this? |
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