I got some of there DVD`s from the Denver confrence and it helped explain more than my NS did in detail about what to expect in the future as well as right now.

My angioplasty operation was an instant releif . The pain seized to exist as quickly as pulling a sliver. I know it's an odd comparison but honestly I could feel the blood flow through the blocked arteries and all the pain vanish as quckly as snapping your fingers. I really don't know how long angioplasty lasts but with time I have felt some unwanted chest pressure and the occasion poke or jab when I least expect it. The Meds all seem to help and I think angioplasty was effective for me ,but if anything was complicated that would be the catheter through the arm leaves the arm quite sore for a week .

hi doug, thanks for posting these questions, had angioplasty in nov 2006, 2 stents put in.

couldnt have it done bad reaction to blood thinners bleeding internaly is that a normal thing

I highly recommend ASAP also. They have a yearly conference and send out newsletters. They have a lot of information on their site too.

I have been a member of ASAP for a couple of years... the information that I have received there has been priceless! If you are not a member there...please sign up...the people there are awesome & genuinely care for the others in the forum.

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to comment on it anyway. I had Angioplasty on 5/21/2011. The operation was done through the artery in my right groin. It was tender for about two weeks, but is much better now. My meds seem to be working really good, but the asprin dosage had to be cut in half because my heart was racing every time I took it. Since asprin has been cut in half, my heart is doing much better.

Like Banff, I felt instant relief. The pain that was in my arms, neck and jaw ceased immediately. Tomorrow will be one month since my HA and Angioplasty and I feel better every day.

Thanks Helen. I did not know of this posting. I had an angiogram in 2003 which found major blockages in my heart. A week later I underwent open-heart surgery where they did 5 by passes. A month later I had a heart attack. Underwent another angiogram where they found two bypasses were blocked. Now a few weeks later they did an angioplasty and inserted two stents in my legs (one in each leg). Two years later I underwent another angioplasty and had three stents placed in my heart. All this to keep me alive. My recommendation is simple....if your doctor wants you to have one, there is a pretty good reason for it.

Tips.....it is not as bad as it sounds. I was awake for it and talked to the nurses and doctors throughout all of mine. I did not have any issues with it other than after the open-heart and two or three angiograms and angioplasties, I did need a blood transfusion. I am glad I had blood taken so that the blood they gave me was my own.

Since having my last angioplasty I have been feeling good. Just got my nitrate medicine increased so I am feeling even better.

Hello Happy2. I read your journal and want to congratulate you on your sobriety. :)

I was awake and talking during my angioplasty as well. The only thing I felt was a tiny, quick pinch, nothing else.

Happy that you are doing good.

{{hugs}} my heart friend
Helen

This is not too old of a post but old enough as one would say.

I read all the post here and was very interested in all Happy2 has gone thru. Yet is so up beat. Wow what you been thru is alot.

Me I had angioplsty way back in oct. 2008. I only had one stint. Was on the blood thinner for a year. thank goodness. I had a couple of bloodine noses with that thinner.

Today I have angina and don't really know what is real or not real...to me the sharp pain I experinece every now and then is "real to me. But for some unknown reason my old cardo always thought it was in my head. nice huh.

so today i take my blood pressure pills everyday, my crestor, and asprin daily. So I hope I never have a heart attack.
I had what they call one that I never knew I did? weird

So I think of all of you that been thru so much as lucky to be here including Happy2. I am greatful for your stories...

thank you for sharing.
Bee

hi bee.
im in my 40s and have had three heart attacks now (3 stents) and to look at me u would never have guessed it. ur pain may be reakl. the greatest lesson i learned in the last 4 years is to LISTEN TO MY BODY. and if I feel worried i dont ignore and will either contact my cardiologist and or call 911.
best of health to u
H

Angioplasty. Absolutely. Rather a stent than a zipper down my chest.
Some have failed and been replaced, but I knew that going in. Holden says it best. Listen to your Body's Voice. It speaks volumes and will divinely aleert you of an abnormal occurrence. Good discussion thread. Surprised I missed it for so long. Happy Holidays to all.

My Best to you all,

Just Joe

Thank u Joe. Worth saying again: LISTEN to ur body. Happy holidays and ONLY the best of heallth to all of u

I had three stents put in back in 2010. I was only 39 years old, but with a staggering incidence of heart disease in my family. Recovery went well. I have stuck to my diet and been taking my meds. I have passed every stress test since with great results. Yet something, now three years on, seems off. I know I panic a lot and get depressed easily when it comes to how I "feel". But sensations in my chest and my physical endurance seem to suggest that I may be on the verge of needing another trip to the cath lab. How do I know? Am I being overly sensitive? Do people ever get stented once and then go on to live long lives without needing more?

I had a blockage in the artery , performed angioplasty about 4 months ago, prior to that I also had Atrial fibrallation which was cured by Amiodarone , and I am still taking flecainide to keep atrial fibrallation under control.
Angio plasty was a relief , since I no longer have the chest pain. But with angioplasty in order to avoid cholesterol deposit on the stent have to be on cholesterol lowering drugs life time! the statin drug generally prescribed are liptor or crestor! these drugs have side effects that make life miserable or suicidal! the sideeffects that I had was morning depression, which make me feel life is not worth living and leads to suicidal thoughts. Joint pain and inflamation of the knees! frequent urination in the night! I found difficult to go sleep and could not sleep more than 4 hours, vivid nightmares! The depression was the worst , since I lost all interest in living. I spoke to the cardiologist and he recommended to go asprin for 2 months to find out if the knee joints are gone, but after that I had to be back on statin.
Although angioplasty resolved my chest pain, but the statin drugs that I have to take make my life miserable and whether is it worth doing the angioplasty in order to get depression from these statin drugs