This section is provided to allow patients to review the experiences of others who have the same medical problems. It is hoped that this sharing will benefit those anticipating the

same procedures.

My stent experience

City-Syracuse  ...State-NY 

Male...  Age at diagnosis-58     Ht:6'2"     Wt:300

Initial Diagnosis:  May 1998 

Surgery performed -Stents inserted in 2 Coronary Arteries

1. The disease I was treated for was blocked arteries in my heart

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2. After two to three weeks of feeling very tired, accompanied by the feeling that I was unable to walk any distance whatsoever. I was faced with a walk down a long hallway, perhaps some 300ft. and, I did not believe I could actually walk that distance. I started to suspect that something was wrong.

3. The blocked arteries were discovered later that same evening after having dinner at home. I felt clammy and sweaty.  In addition, I had a prickly feeling running up my neck and ending behind my ears. It felt similar to your leg or arm going to "sleep".  I called my doctor at home and he suggested I go to the emergency room for a look.  It required approximately 1/2 hour driving there. Once in the emergency room, I was told to sit down and they would call me when my turn came. While waiting, the feeling of prickliness in my carotid arteries and sweating subsided. I began to wonder why I was even at the emergency room. After a short time I was called into the treatment area and given an EKG, an X-ray and some blood tests. The physician on-duty said he did not "think "I had a heart attack. Just as a precaution, they decided that I should spend the night and perhaps have some additional tests in the morning.

4. In the morning I was taken to where stress tests are given . They did an echocardiogram stress test. I was to walk on a treadmill, and if I felt any pain or anything odd I was to tell the doctor immediately. I walked on the treadmill for about 30 seconds and then mentioned that I was having a little twinge in my chest. I was immediately told to lie down and was administered a echocardiogram and EKG. The cardiologist concluded that there was something not quite right and that I would be sent to the cardiac cath lab early in the afternoon.

5. The cardiac cath lab consists of what appears to be an operating room with  two  monitors directly to the left and above your face . I was given an injection of a mild anesthetic to slow me down; I was relaxed but was completely awake and conversational through the entire procedure. A small wire/tube was inserted into my forearm opposite my right elbow (they can also go through your groin or wrist).  This catherization tube was used to put dye into my arteries to determine where the blockages, if any, were located. The cardiologist found two blocked arteries. During the procedure the doctor showed me, by using the two TV looking monitors in front of me, where the blockages were located.  He asked me if I would like the problem taken care of then or would I prefer to come back in a week or two and have it done at that time.  His concern was that I might need open heart surgery, If the stents could not be placed properly.  I told him to go ahead and do the stents since everything was set up for the procedure. Within a couple of minutes he had the stents inserted and the procedure was successfully completed. The catherization tube was removed and I was sent back to my room to spend the night.

6. The following day I was released from the hospital and was placed on a blood thinner for one month.

7. Two days after the stents were inserted, I was able to walk an eighteen hole golf course. (I did not play because of the bandage on my arm).  I had no side effects, moments of stress, and no therapy of any kind. I felt absolutely marvelous after the procedure. Recall that the previous week I was unable to navigate a 300yd. hallway.

8. My suggestion is that patients should monitor their own bodies for changes similar to what happened to me. These changes could include 1.Belching after a meal.  (I was told the reason for this is your body wants to protect the critical organs such as heart, brain and lungs and could care less about your digestion). 2. Your body is actually protecting you and doing what nature intended.  Repeated and frequent belching very soon after a meal could mean that there may be problems. 3. The prickly feeling up and down the sides of your neck may also be a sign of problems. Tiredness for no apparent reason is also a sign that there could be problems on the horizon. Any of these things, plus others, may indicate that you should be mindful and simply checked it out. It is my hope that after reading this you may have a better understanding of stents and when you need to see a physician immediately.