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Stents placed in heart and can't get rid of dizzy spells

by Pete
(East Texas)

Had a heart attack one month ago due, I guess, to being sick. The Dr. put 3 stents in one artery that had degenerated due to sickness affecting my heart.

I am feeling much better but I often feel dizzy and light headed. The Dr has adjusted my medication a couple of times but I wondered if others have experienced the same.

The Dr said my arteries were very smooth and my heart looked great but the lining of one of my vessels was stopping it up because it was coming apart.

I am a very active person and I try to live a healthy lifestyle. I am a basketball coach, but I just don't seem to feel very good.

I wonder if I will be able to get back to a normal lifestyle?

Comments for
Stents placed in heart and can't get rid of dizzy spells

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I was also dizzy for awhile
by: Anonymous

I received one stent but I never had medication in my life. I would get light headed and kind of panicky. My doctor told me to switch around how I take my medicine to see if that would help. It did and I feel much better. For the record, I'm taking Plavix, Toprol, Effient, and 325 mg. aspirin. I'm probably on these for a long time since I have a medicine releasing stent and I was told it would reblock without the medicine - or as my doctor told me, I'm on medicine forever.
Review you medication if you don't feel well
by: Ian

At age 66 I had a heart attack and had previously been very active, not overweight and never smoked. But I did ignore saturated fat warnings and I believe that's what caused the plaque to build up. After looking up "heart attack" on Google I realised what was happening and was taken by helicopter to the heart unit in Atlanta for angioplasty with two stents which saved my life.

To those that are still feeling unwell I urge you to review your medications, and in particular any statins you take. After two years I had very unpleasant side effects and had to adjust my medication. The doctors don't take side effects seriously and the patient has to supervise his own health regime.
My Brother Had Dizzy Spells Too
by: Anonymous

Pete,

My brother had 2 stents and was hospitalized multiple times, felt dizzy. This was Apr thru October of last year. After the second stent and medication adjustment plus drinking more water he started feeling better. In February he went for a week of cross-country skiing and is still doing fine. Hang in there - exercise and eat as directed. Best wishes.
Recovery is a every day
by: Linda

Pete, the recovery period is an everyday effort. I received 4 medicated stents that were put in 2 years ago. The beta blocker I was put on did cause dizziness and lightheadedness. I'm on the lowest dosage and ever so often experience it. Be sure you are eating heart healthy and exercising. I just started feeling the full effects of the good exercise and that does help with the blood flow. Remember with the stents we have been given another chance at life and we both did experience a life changing event in our lives. Just need to regroup and march forward.
It Takes Time
by: Sandra

Hi Pete,

I just wanted to let you know that it took some time for me to feel "normal" again. My recovery was challenging - I reblocked at 3 months, was in and out of hospital a number of times over 5 months. I remember asking my doc "will I ever get better and feel good again?" He said some people have a more difficult recovery than others and then one day they turn a corner and carry on. That's exactly what happened to me.

It's important to keep talking to your doc if you have concerns or if you keep having dizzy spells or any pain.

But otherwise, take your meds faithfully, follow a smart heart lifestyle, and give yourself some time to adjust and heal.

It's five years now since my heart event and I am leading a very active life. Best wishes to you!

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