Heart Attack Patient Experiencing Syptoms Again ... Posted: 05-23-07 19:44pm
At 40 years old, a best friend had a heart
attack on April 11th and was "Stented"
with a drug coated stent for a 100%
blockage on the left side. About two weeks
later, he went back to the hospital and
was stented again (seperate artery...side
artery with a 70% blockage) and failed a
"tilt" test and an EP lab test. Since he
failed the electrical tests he received a
pacemaker and defibrillator. After a few
days of recovering in the hospital, he
returned home. About another week went by
with no issues. Everyone, including him,
thought he was getting better. Then he
felt faint, had general discomfort in his
chest and thus called 911 and was once
again taken to the local hospital. At the
hospital, they decided that it was likely
anxiety, so prescibed some zanax and then
decided to do a nuclear stress test. The
test was done (Four and 1/2 weeks after
April 11th) and showed an abnormality. The
cardiologist who read the test said that
his heart was pumping at 40% capacity and
wanted to Cath him again to check for
restenosis. However, his main cardiologist
at a very well known heart center informed
him that there was no way that the stent
was closing again (It was simply too soon)
and that the Stress Test was done way too
early and thus in his opinion deemed
unreliable. To educate and put us at ease
he informed us that he opened all
arteries, had a pacemaker and Defib. and
needed time to recover before a new stress
test. This was Monday May 21st. He was
essentially released to go back to a
normal or at least semi-normal schedule.
Since Monday my friend has been working a
couple hours a day to keep busy. Today in
the office he had the faint feeling return
and some numbness in his left arm return.
He also described a slight discomfort in
his chest and seemed very anxious. He took
a Nitro sublingually and swallowed a
zannax. After about 30 -45 minutes the
syptoms subsided and felt better. I am
very worried about my friend and would
appreciate any insight or advice anyone
can offer.
Thanks in advance!!!
Tom