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I Had One Stent Planted In My Heart Six Months
Question: I had one stent planted in my heart six months back. Didn't have heart attack. No further complications since then. Im taking the medecine as required. im 53 years old, male. with long history of high blood pressure since I was 25 years old. I was diagnosed with RBB 8 years back but without complications so far. i have been drinking alcohol and ligh smoking since i am 20 years old. can j.go havk to drinking alcohol, beer and whisky?
Brief Answer:
Moderate drinking may have a small benefit for heart disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using 'Ask a Doctor'. It is unclear to me whether any of your heart issues were related to atherosclerosis (or plaque in the coronary arteries), but assuming that they are, it does put you at increased risk for future heart problems, including heart attacks. There are many factors that can increase your risk for heart problems, with the main lifestyle factors being diet and exercise. Smoking is also a major risk factor, and it would be important to stop smoking to decrease your risk.
As for alcohol, studies have actually shown that moderate alcohol use (defined as up to 2 drinks per day for males) can have a small benefit in protecting you from heart disease, and so it definitely wouldn't be a contraindication for you to drink alcohol with a history of heart disease. It is not known if heaver drinking than this has any harm or benefit.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Moderate drinking may have a small benefit for heart disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch, thanks for using 'Ask a Doctor'. It is unclear to me whether any of your heart issues were related to atherosclerosis (or plaque in the coronary arteries), but assuming that they are, it does put you at increased risk for future heart problems, including heart attacks. There are many factors that can increase your risk for heart problems, with the main lifestyle factors being diet and exercise. Smoking is also a major risk factor, and it would be important to stop smoking to decrease your risk.
As for alcohol, studies have actually shown that moderate alcohol use (defined as up to 2 drinks per day for males) can have a small benefit in protecting you from heart disease, and so it definitely wouldn't be a contraindication for you to drink alcohol with a history of heart disease. It is not known if heaver drinking than this has any harm or benefit.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Brief Answer:
Usually 6-12 months
Detailed Answer:
Assuming you don't have any bleeding risks, and no surgeries planned, usually it is recommended to continue Plavix and aspirin for 6-12 months after a stent is placed. After that, a discussion should had about the risks and benefits of continuing these medications, and some patients who feel the benefits are worth the risks can be considered for an additional 18 months using these medications. Afterwards, aspirin should be continued indefinitely.
Having a stent should not downgrade your life, but depending on the reason for placing the stent, the underlying condition may affect your life. If you didn't have a heart attack, what was the reason for putting the stent in? But I would try to encourage you, it sounds like you are doing everything you can to take care of your health, and as long as that is the case, I don't think you should worry about it. You cannot know for sure how long you have to live, or what will end up being the thing that takes your life, and so, stent or not, I do not think it is worth worrying about, nor will it do you any good.
If you would like to tell me more about the circumstances that led to you getting a stent, we can talk more about that and what it might mean for you in the future. Otherwise, thank you for your question and take care.
Usually 6-12 months
Detailed Answer:
Assuming you don't have any bleeding risks, and no surgeries planned, usually it is recommended to continue Plavix and aspirin for 6-12 months after a stent is placed. After that, a discussion should had about the risks and benefits of continuing these medications, and some patients who feel the benefits are worth the risks can be considered for an additional 18 months using these medications. Afterwards, aspirin should be continued indefinitely.
Having a stent should not downgrade your life, but depending on the reason for placing the stent, the underlying condition may affect your life. If you didn't have a heart attack, what was the reason for putting the stent in? But I would try to encourage you, it sounds like you are doing everything you can to take care of your health, and as long as that is the case, I don't think you should worry about it. You cannot know for sure how long you have to live, or what will end up being the thing that takes your life, and so, stent or not, I do not think it is worth worrying about, nor will it do you any good.
If you would like to tell me more about the circumstances that led to you getting a stent, we can talk more about that and what it might mean for you in the future. Otherwise, thank you for your question and take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thanks Doctor. I have attached the full reports.
The stent was done when it was found
That one artillery was 90% blocked. You will be able to see more detail in the attached pdf. I was feeling unwell for sometimes, chest tightness, breathing difficulty, diziness.
The stent was done when it was found
That one artillery was 90% blocked. You will be able to see more detail in the attached pdf. I was feeling unwell for sometimes, chest tightness, breathing difficulty, diziness.
No heart attack
Brief Answer:
Thank you for that information
Detailed Answer:
Hello, thank you for that information, it was fortunate that they found the blocked artery before you had a heart attack. I would expect them to follow the guidelines that I discussed above, though they may have their own protocols about how long to use the Plavix and aspirin. As for your health, while it is true that you are at increased risk of more problems with your cardiovascular system (such as blocked arteries to the heart and other areas of the body), I would encourage you to just do what you can to stay health, keep your weight at an ideal weight for you (BMI between 18.5 to 25), a heart healthy diet such as the DASH diet, regular aerobic exercise, and avoid smoking. You should also be on a statin and have your cholesterol monitored. As long as you are doing these things, you have a good chance of not having any further problems, and can live a long and full life.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Thank you for that information
Detailed Answer:
Hello, thank you for that information, it was fortunate that they found the blocked artery before you had a heart attack. I would expect them to follow the guidelines that I discussed above, though they may have their own protocols about how long to use the Plavix and aspirin. As for your health, while it is true that you are at increased risk of more problems with your cardiovascular system (such as blocked arteries to the heart and other areas of the body), I would encourage you to just do what you can to stay health, keep your weight at an ideal weight for you (BMI between 18.5 to 25), a heart healthy diet such as the DASH diet, regular aerobic exercise, and avoid smoking. You should also be on a statin and have your cholesterol monitored. As long as you are doing these things, you have a good chance of not having any further problems, and can live a long and full life.
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help any way I can.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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