Life after stents?

[DooleyVT]

I’m 52 and fairly active, eat pretty well, never smoked, drink wine with dinner on occasion and overall felt really healthy so it feels extremely strange to say that I had a heart attack 3 weeks ago and received 4 stents ( 2 separate procedures) in the last 3 weeks. Fortunately no damage to my heart but my confidence is shaken. Genetically I had some cardiovascular problems I was unaware of. I’m really looking forward to getting back to my passions of hiking, traveling, scouting, and ultimately hunting again but obviously need to consider my potential limitations. It feels pretty damn good to just be alive BUT I still have so many things I would like to do! More than anything I’ve learned you never do know when your time is up and want to cross as much off my list as possible. The moving forward is not only for me but for my wife who is now scared for me to leave her side. Currently I have 2024-25 hunting licenses for three different states in the Northeast and Midwest and 6+ points in 2 other western states. Will I get back to where I was (or better) physically someday? Will I be able to continue doing what I love? I’m looking for some advice, guidance, experiences etc to help me understand what has happened to me.

 

[hiker270]

A friend of mine had a heart attack in 2018, had 2 stents put in. Doctor told him to return to his normal lifestyle immediately. He does not hunt but is a very active guy that does a lot of hiking and mountain biking. He is around 70 now and says he feels great and feels the heart attack with stents has not affected his lifestyle at all.

 

[Boarmaster]

I am 62 as of last week. I had to have a stent four years ago. As long as you don't other issues stents generally improve your ability to do things. What does your cardiologist say? If it was me, and it was me…
I would go do what I wanted but take it slow and easy. Monitor how you feel. I got my stent in November and hunted the Alabama rut in January. I wasn't dragging deer all over the woods or hiking long distances but I got out there and been out there ever since. After that hunting season I yak fished in the salt all spring and summer. In the event you cant be as physical safely then find other ways to enjoy the outdoors that wont risk your health. Good luck.

 

[goosedog]

This post really hits home with me I just turned 47 very active tall skinny eat very healthy diet never smoked light drinker have guided elk and deer hunts for alot of years and consider myself in very good shape for just turning 47 and I June I go in for a calcium score and a scan of my heart and vessels only reason is it was suggested by my cardiologist because of my age and my family history of cardiovascular disease that's why I started going to a cardiologist i wanted to avoid any of this in the future since my dad went thru this,well let's say the results were shocking 2 arteries were narrowed about 70-80% and another 2 pushing 90% I have never had any indication I had a problem to say the least I was shocked along with my doctor he had me do a nuclear stress test in which I crushed according to the tech took 15mins to get heart rate up to 147 well it revealed even more and just this last Monday I had two stents put in and 2 spots that he just ballooned out since they were to small for stents and I will have to go back in for 1 more Stent for sure possibly two these last few months have been a emotional train wreck thankfully my cardiologist is amazing along with his team around him I have been a big topic on his cardiologist panel I feel I'm in good hands I leave to hunt in 3 weeks and then start my fall guiding elk hunts I find out Monday when I go back in for the next procedure just went for my first 4 mile loop I do to stay in shape and I felt great no problems but I never had any to begin with as far as discomfort goes all,I can say is please go get a calcium score it's cheep and only takes a few mins and see a cardiologist it's well worth it

 

[DooleyVT]

This post really hits home with me I just turned 47 very active tall skinny eat very healthy diet never smoked light drinker have guided elk and deer hunts for alot of years and consider myself in very good shape for just turning 47 and I June I go in for a calcium score and a scan of my heart and vessels only reason is it was suggested by my cardiologist because of my age and my family history of cardiovascular disease that's why I started going to a cardiologist i wanted to avoid any of this in the future since my dad went thru this,well let's say the results were shocking 2 arteries were narrowed about 70-80% and another 2 pushing 90% I have never had any indication I had a problem to say the least I was shocked along with my doctor he had me do a nuclear stress test in which I crushed according to the tech took 15mins to get heart rate up to 147 well it revealed even more and just this last Monday I had two stents put in and 2 spots that he just ballooned out since they were to small for stents and I will have to go back in for 1 more Stent for sure possibly two these last few months have been a emotional train wreck thankfully my cardiologist is amazing along with his team around him I have been a big topic on his cardiologist panel I feel I'm in good hands I leave to hunt in 3 weeks and then start my fall guiding elk hunts I find out Monday when I go back in for the next procedure just went for my first 4 mile loop I do to stay in shape and I felt great no problems but I never had any to begin with as far as discomfort goes all,I can say is please go get a calcium score it's cheep and only takes a few mins and see a cardiologist it's well worth it

I feel you brother and figured there were other stories like ours. As of right now I feel way more mentally scarred than physically. I never saw or felt this coming on and I had one artery with 100% blockage and three 80%. I bear hunted the day before my heart attack and carried a backpack, tree stand and sticks about 5 miles. But because I felt so good I hadn’t been to the doctor in years so please Rokslide go get checked out. I would love to hear more about your progress man and how your fall goes if you get some time. PM me where you might be guiding in the future and maybe I can burn some points in your area and you can help me cross some things off my bucket list. Good luck with everything you do.

 

[goosedog]

I was destroyed mentally could barely look at my wife and kids and not think how i failed them or let them down ,didn't sleep good for a few months would wake up all the time and be thankful that I did my dad was my biggest help he went thru the same thing 15 years ago 3 clogged 100% we had alot of late night talks when I couldn't sleep always reminded me that he is fine now and gets a clean bill of health when he see the cardiologist now,I went in to get a stint a month ago and they found more than they thought at first this really set me back as they were not able to fix anything in that procedure that was my lowest point especially because I felt fine and was still exercising and preparing for the season but after this last procedure I feel so much better knowing that they fixed 4 blockages and I'm better off now than a week ago especially since my cardiologist knows that I push it hard he told me go about life as normal once this is all fixed and that the stents will outlast me he wanted me to skip hunting until the next two spots are fixed my wife laughed and said good luck with that, he will try to get them done before I leave and thankfully the recovery is fast 2 days and I'm back to normal they went thru my wrist little easier than the groin I guess for recovery

 

[cjdewese]

My dad has had two different heart attacks and has put in 4 total stints.

He just turned 72 and can out hike and walk most 30-40 year olds.

I lost my mom when she was 49 to a heart attack so having my dad go through two was rough.

Once my mom passed he ate really well and exercised more than most guys his age so when he had his 1st it was really tough mentally but he has since learned to trust his docs when they say to go on as normal.

 

[Silver Wings]

Getting into health issues that highlight our mortality is jarring, especially at a “youngish” age. It takes a while to get passed that feeling that you have the grim reaper looking over your shoulder, but in my experience it gets better with time.
The only advice I would offer in terms of CVD is that if you are all “plugged up” at a young age despite a “healthy diet”, then I would reconsider what is healthy. What works for some people may not be appropriate for your phenotype. There is a term for doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome, but I’m sure we’re all familiar with it.

 

[weekender7]

Had 3 stents put in at the same time when I was 61. Felt the best I had in long time immediately after. I had them put in on Friday night, released on Saturday, back at work Sunday night. Knock on wood it's been great having an open pipeline instead of running on empty like I was. 99%, 95% & 80% blocked were opened up. Been 8 years and at 69, I feel purdy dang good.

 

[cjdewese]

Had 3 stents put in at the same time when I was 61. Felt the best I had in long time immediately after. I had them put in on Friday night, released on Saturday, back at work Sunday night. Knock on wood it's been great having an open pipeline instead of running on empty like I was. 99%, 95% & 80% blocked were opened up. Been 8 years and at 69, I feel purdy dang good.

Happy to hear it, sounds a lot like my dad's experience.

 

[Burnsie]

My brother has 8 stents! He needs to loose some weight, but has never been a smoker or drinker...etc. He was in his early 50s when he got his first 4. We have been hunting in the mountains since the stents, but we take our time. If it takes an extra hour to get up the mountain, then so be it. It is kind of nerve racking for me though, what if something happens back here in the bush.

 

[weekender7]

what if something happens back here in the bush.

He should be carrying some emergency pills. You need to know which pocket he keeps them in. You need to have a way of calling for help, either cell or satellite. You need to know how to do CPR. Then go at a reasonable pace and enjoy life to it's fullest.

 

[Rich M]

You gotta change your habits - yes some genetics are involved but poor eating will help plug the stents.

If you are willing to take your new lease on life and change the problem habits (likely eating and exercise), then you are good for a long and healthy existence.

Wishing you the best.

 

[DooleyVT]

You gotta change your habits - yes some genetics are involved but poor eating will help plug the stents.

If you are willing to take your new lease on life and change the problem habits (likely eating and exercise), then you are good for a long and healthy existence.

Wishing you the best.

Great point…It has certainly given me a feeling of another chance at life and I’m more than willing to change what ever it is that will help prevent any future problems and prolong doing the things I love with the people I love. You’re totally right and I justified eating shitty based on what other people were eating and in comparison maybe it was more healthy than them but lying to myself thinking it was always good for me. I love bacon and eggs and donuts and sometimes all in the same day. I have changed my diet completely since and I know it’s only been a few weeks but that was way too scary and close to the end of my days here to take anything for granted again. I understand it needs to be a lifestyle and mentality change to make it work for a lifetime. Appreciate the input and well wishes.

 

[timekiller13]

My Dad is 65. He had 2 stents placed earlier this year. The blood thinners they put him on caused more issues than anything. He nearly bled to death twice from his bladder. The cardiologist was adamant that Dad could NOT be off blood thinners for a year after having stents. The urologist finally said “You’re going to bleed to death, we are taking you off the thinners.” This was just 2 months post stents. He hasn’t been on anything except a daily aspirin since. So after getting all that straightened out his lifestyle is back to normal. He walks 3-4 miles every morning, goes camping and works on his car just like he did prior to the stents.

 

[Mike Islander]

Wear a good bike helmet if hiking in rocks?

Seriously, I lost my FIL to a clogged stent. He took a little fall in his dining room onto a hardwood-over-cement floor and had some limited bleeding in his brain. Stopping his blood thinner was what saved his life, but it also clogged his stent, which killed him after a few weeks.

There was no choice; he would have died from pressure on the brain. And the survival rate without blood thinner was about 15%.

So...protect your skull. Stay healthy. Live your life.

 

[Rich M]

Great point…It has certainly given me a feeling of another chance at life and I’m more than willing to change what ever it is that will help prevent any future problems and prolong doing the things I love with the people I love. You’re totally right and I justified eating shitty based on what other people were eating and in comparison maybe it was more healthy than them but lying to myself thinking it was always good for me. I love bacon and eggs and donuts and sometimes all in the same day. I have changed my diet completely since and I know it’s only been a few weeks but that was way too scary and close to the end of my days here to take anything for granted again. I understand it needs to be a lifestyle and mentality change to make it work for a lifetime. Appreciate the input and well wishes.

Dooley - I'm trying to change diet too. Lost 34# since July but stuck at 250#. Have cravings, hunger pangs and such. It is a daily battle. I feel so much better with the weight off and know will feel even better with another 30# off - my goal is 220#.

Can eat good, fast, and even exercise but if I have as much as a handful of nuts, a cookie, handful of potato chips, etc. will not lose any weight. It is frustrating that 95% effort is mitigated by 5% of a snack.

Fight hard, be strict with yourself. I hear it becomes easier over time. Use the scare for motivation. Figure out a way to get out an walk and also do some weights - walking does a lot for us but pushups and some weights will help quite a bit.

 

[rookieforever33]

Most feel great after getting stents until they get a cut that wont stop bleeding. Those blood thinners are no joke. I would make sure to always have a compression bandage and talk to your cardiologist about what to do if you get a bad cut or bruise. Most cardiologist want you to be active so they will help find a way to help you do it safely. Even if you never have anything happen that requires a serious response the confidence knowing how to handle it will help you enjoy your time out there.

 

[Amos Keeto]

??????
Makes no sense!
As a young man and up until I was in my early fifty's, I smoked like a freight train and drank like a fish.
Had a massive head on car wreck at age 41. Legs and feet are a mess. Prosthetic hips, one shoulder and a foot full of screws.
I no longer smoke...OR drink.
Due to hip/leg complications, I don't get a lot of exercise.
I'm overweight and my diet is....uhh....okay I guess!
We don't eat a lot of fried foods.
We do check up twice a year. Blood work always comes back good.
Cholesterol good.
Blood sugar good.
PSA good.
No lumps, bumps or knots!
I'm on a blood pressure med is all
I'll be 74 next month and figuring out HOW to get to my blind and HOW I'm going to get a deer out if I shoot it!
My dad died of a massive coronary just before he turned 61. His mom lived to be 100. My mom lived to be 98. My oldest sister, 83 years young, was just diagnosed with breast cancer and has had 2 strokes.

I was taught my entire life, that God has a plan for each of us. He doesn't allow us to die until that "plan" is fulfilled!

EVERY morning I wake up, I wonder just what God has in store for me!

My advice, if that's what you're looking for, is to ease into outdoor activities.
Walk a quarter mile. If it feels okay, go to a half mile.
Keep extending your activities until you reach a max or get back to where you were.
Best of luck!
Hope all goes well for you!

 

[Charlie Brown]

My heart attack was 10 years ago. Could not treat with stents. Tried 3 times to open it. Treating with medication. I'm 67 just got back to camp from a 6 mile hike chasing elk in Northern Idaho. Have never missed an elk hunt since the heart attack.