Cycling after an angioplasty (stent)

[jamin100]

Hi all,

34 years old and just found out I’ve probably got to have an angioplasty in the next week or so

I had a cold last December and started getting chest pains. I went to to the docs in January who said it was asthma due to the cold weather. I’d only get pains when my heart rate was elevated and if I laid off for a few minutes and then carried on I’d be fine..

So cycling at the track was ok as long as I warmed up properly .. but it wasn’t right. When the weather got warmer and the symptoms didn’t improve I went back to the docs who said this time is was excercise enduced asthma and gave me a preventative inhaler..

This made no difference so I went back again and was eventually referred to a respiratory specialist who ruled out asthma straight away...

Anyway, he referred me to a cardiologist who did an CT angiogram yesterday and seems I have a blockage or narrowing on my left artery

I’m due to see an intervention cardiologist on Monday but I’ve been told I’ll probably end up having and angioplasty.

I’ve worked hard over the past 5 years to loose weight and get fit. Up until yesterday (when the doc told me to stop excercising immediately) I’d do a minimum of 40 miles per week mainly in high intensity track sessions at he club. In the summer this would also include some 50/60 mike club runs.. I’m used to getting my HR rate up into the 190s on big climbs and really pushing myself....

How likely am I to be able to return to this fitness post angioplasty?

Obviously I’m going to follow the directions of the doctor and do whatever he says but I just wondered if anyone had any similar experiences ?

I don’t smoke, barely drink (4 pints a month if that) so it’s almost certainly my diet that needs attention going forward


Sorry for the long post

 

[Slick]

It Will very much depend on the individual but my brother was back on the bike week 2. By week 4, I was struggling to keep up with him and now after 12 months he gets bored waiting for me at the top of every hill.

 

[Slick]

He had 5 stents fitted, and it only became apparent as he couldn't keep up with me on a very hilly ride one day.

 

[jamin100]

Thank you for the reply slick.. that has made me feel better.

I’m hoping that age is on my side..
the dr said that my heart looked really healthy with very little dielsease for someone my age .. aside from this blocked artery

 

[Slick]

Thank you for the reply slick.. that has made me feel better.

I’m hoping that age is on my side..
the dr said that my heart looked really healthy with very little dielsease for someone my age .. aside from this blocked artery

It is. I posted on here what my brother was doing and it got a few shocked replies. What he told me was he would far rather listen to his doctor as any concerned individual. There's a very big thread on it.

 

[Slick]

Also, usually if you need that type of procedure, you get whisked in straight away.

 

[Slick]

If you have time.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/any-survivors-on-here-cardiac-arrest-heart-attack-cancer.164623/

 

[Fab Foodie]

I also was stented but at 42.
Now at 54 I’m still an active cyclist but can no longer work my heart up to the kind of level you describe, so high intensity cycling may be over as a result.
BUT that doesn’t mean an end to cycling, just a need to back off on the real high intensity stuff. I can still club run but am slowest up hills, I recently ride 220 miles in a day, I tour. It might be less intense but it’s still cycling. I still climb big steep hills but at a gentler pace.
Your Cardiologist will advise.

 

[Viking]

I’ve had CABG, stenting and stenting again with roughly 11 years between each (but not heart attacks). With the stenting, it was a week of doing nothing more than walking for the first week, reasonable exercise during week 2 and back up to pre-stenting levels during week 3 each time. The first time they went in through the artery at the groin, the second time they used the artery at the wrist. It all depends on which the doctor prefers. It’s not great to have to have the procedure but it is, IME, much better than having CABG. Good luck with it and as always listen to the medics but IME, you’ve got reason to be optimistic

 

[PaulSB]

How likely am I to be able to return to this fitness post angioplasty?

I don’t smoke, barely drink (4 pints a month if that) so it’s almost certainly my diet that needs attention going forward

First and foremost get rid of the sad smiley. You’re going to be fine.

October 2015 aged 61 I had a heart attack 40 miles in to the club ride and then carried on riding. Long story but I didn’t know I’d had a heart attack. I thought I’d bonked.

Went to A&E a few hours later as I didn’t feel quite “right.” That was 6.00pm Sunday, full treatment immediately, angiogram Tuesday 10.00 followed immediately by angioplasty, stents. Home Wednesday 2.00pm.

Again long story but my physio told me when he got very tired of me constantly asking about riding, “you’re very fit, if we can’t get you back to where you were we’ve failed.” Today I am a fitter, lighter, faster and stronger rider than at any point in the last 20 years. I’m riding with and staying with people 25 years younger than me. I knock out 120-160 miles a week.

My heart attack was due to high cholesterol and being an ex smoker. I’d had warning signs for years but didn’t recognise them. I’ve improved, not changed, my lifestyle, lost weight and learned a bit about correct nutrition for cycling. It’s said high cholesterol is 80% genetic and 20% diet.

Do not rush things, follow all the advice. It took me five months to get back on the bike, I tried after three and was exhausted. I found walking a big help.

One thing I was only told after experiencing it is some cardiac patients are susceptible to changes in temperature. For me the first couple of weeks of cold weather are uncomfortable and a bit scary.

Be grateful your problem has been found, will be fixed and you have the opportunity to get fitter.

Promise yourself one thing. If you’re worried at anytime in the future get to a doctor or A&E - they will take you very seriously.

I view my heart attack as having saved my life.

 

[TheDoctor]

As others have said, you'll be fine. My Dad had a stent about 20 years ago, and he'd still be riding had he not got prostate cancer.

 

[jamin100]

Thanks all.. made me feel better at least..
like you say better to find it now rather than when it’s too late.

Have an appointment with the cardiologist this evening so will hopefully get some answers then

 

[Viking]

Thanks all.. made me feel better at least..
like you say better to find it now rather than when it’s too late.

Have an appointment with the cardiologist this evening so will hopefully get some answers then

I guess that this might vary from cardiologist to cardiologist but in all the cases (3 so far) that I've had to have an operation, they have appreciated having some real data to work on e.g. HR stats, how long into a session before it becomes a problem, your regular exercise regime etc. I might be an idea to prepare a short note on this to give the cardiologist during the consultation. It can't do any harm and at the very least it might help them when making their notes.

 

[jamin100]

So, saw the cardiologist last night (lovely guy)
He's booked me in for a angiogram and possibly and angioplasty in the near future.

I've been put on Statins and Beta blockers starting today. I'm a bit curious as to how they will affect me, both in my day to day life and cycling. Being only 34 I hope to still be able to keep up with my friends, who i've been faster than for a while, especially on the track and up the hills...

Time will tell.

 

[Viking]

So, saw the cardiologist last night (lovely guy)
He's booked me in for a angiogram and possibly and angioplasty in the near future.

I've been put on Statins and Beta blockers starting today. I'm a bit curious as to how they will affect me, both in my day to day life and cycling. Being only 34 I hope to still be able to keep up with my friends, who i've been faster than for a while, especially on the track and up the hills...

Time will tell.

Best of luck with the angiogram and maybe plasty. I’ve been on statins for 22 years. My experience has been that it took a few months to find which one worked best at reducing cholesterol levels and thereafter it has been straight forward for me - no muscle pain etc but that isn’t everyone’s experience. There is a lot of conflicting views on statins. I can’t say anything about beta blockers cos I’ve never been on them. In any event, I think that you will get regular blood tests (mine are annual) to monitor not just the impact of the statins on cholesterol but also any other effects e.g. kidney (or is it liver or both?) functions etc