Heart Attack Support Group

Heart attack is a serious, sudden heart condition usually characterized by varying degrees of chest pain or discomfort, weakness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and arrhythmias, sometimes causing loss of consciousness. It occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted, causing death and scarring of the local heart tissue.

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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Heart Attack Support Group

panic attacks post stent

Eddie
Eddie

Am coming up on 30 days since my heart attack/stent placement to fix a 100% blocked RCA.  FELT GREAT in the first weeks afterwards with a 'go' from my cardiologist to resume moderate (120 BPM) swimming/biking/running.  Within the last 2 weeks have been experiencing chest pain that have all tested out to be negative after 2 different hospital ER visits which included a successful stress test.  Am now dealing with panic attacks with chest pain (cardiologist suggesting costochondritis) and a flushed feeling in both arms and legs during a panic episode.  Confidence is dropping each day.  Have heard depression can creep in post event but am really struggling with panic.  Anyone else experience anything similar?  Any advice or suggestions?   

RoboPop
RoboPop
Hmmm. Did anybody suggest Angina? I lovingly refer to it as a heart fart. It's where the valves hiccup or arteries constrict impeding blood flow and causes brief pain which can be excrutiating but subsides within a few minutes. How mine was diagnosed, I insisted on a prescription for nitroglycerin and took it at the first signs of chest pain. Miracle drug for sure. It effectively opens the blood pathways and allows unrestricted blood flow. I have unstable Angina which just means it hits with or without exertion. If only with exertion then it's known as stable angina. Anyway if that is not the problem, the nitro has no real negative effects on you so no harm if that isn't the problem.

As for panic or depression, it's ugly first cousin, if you need, see a professional counselor, shrink if you will. There is no shame in getting help and many heart patients benefit from therapy. Attitude is a factor in much of this and if you are one of those who can maintain a positive outlook you'll have far less issues to deal with.

Good luck on searching the answers out, let us know what you discover and how you are doing.
Rangers13
Rangers13
Eddie....I understand how you feel. Reminds me of myself after my heart attack three years ago. I also felt GREAT right after they put in two stents. I also remember those chest pains that sent me into a panic as well. Please take a moment to remember that your heart is still healing and it's going to take some time for you to fully recover. Glad to hear your doctor cleared you for some moderate exercise. Have you considered cardiac rehab? Mine was a 12 week program that I was released from after 8 weeks. They hook you up and monitor you for each session - certainly built up my confidence knowing that I was making steady progress and technicians were monitoring my heart rate and blood pressure. It is natural to react to every muscle twinge that you feel. You're sensitive to this because of what happened. Keep up the exercise. The bouts of pain will eventually subside and go away. Take your time and give your heart some time to heal.
Eddie
Eddie
thanks to you both for your advice. my cardiologist explained that costochondritis is the culprit for the chest pains and that panic attack are natural as my chemistry has been altered since the MI. am much more confident that my heart is fine and have been able to ramp up the workouts. will add a couple of doses of patience into the mix and all will turn out fine. thanks again for responding.