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What Causes Pounding Heart Beat In A Person With Stents In Coronary Arteries?
Question: My husband has had two stents place in main heart arteries for 90% block. Last night he said his heart was pounding so hard it shook the bed... As you can guess hi has cad and the stents were put in this past nov. do you think he has a blood clots? He would not go to the er... Said its gone now
Brief Answer:
Probably innocent extrasystoles
Detailed Answer:
Greetings and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I understand your concerns.
Although you are right and, I assume, that you have been informed right about stents in coronary arteries that they may form blood clots, these phenomena are characteristic of first days after stent placement. Late intra-stent thrombosis is a rare event. Even though it is possible, it would be manifested as a clear-cut myocardial infarction: severe pain in the mid chest. Therefore, based on your description, I do not think we have to deal with a intra-stent thrombosis. The stent functioning is controlled with cardiac stress tests, which are done periodically, respectively one, three and six months after stent implantation.
It is advised for him to continue the current medical regimen he is on.
As for the pounding heart beat, it may happen to anyone, to any healthy or unhealthy heart. When a premature contraction (extrasystole) happens, the succeeding beat is more forceful and gives the sensation as when one is stressed psychologically. Of course, I understand the concern that your husband had stents implanted, but this does not look as it is related to the stents. Also, just to be clear, I would recommend him to do an EKG, just to rule out this phenomenon.
I hope my answer is of help. I am happy to help, should you have follow-up question(s).
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Probably innocent extrasystoles
Detailed Answer:
Greetings and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I understand your concerns.
Although you are right and, I assume, that you have been informed right about stents in coronary arteries that they may form blood clots, these phenomena are characteristic of first days after stent placement. Late intra-stent thrombosis is a rare event. Even though it is possible, it would be manifested as a clear-cut myocardial infarction: severe pain in the mid chest. Therefore, based on your description, I do not think we have to deal with a intra-stent thrombosis. The stent functioning is controlled with cardiac stress tests, which are done periodically, respectively one, three and six months after stent implantation.
It is advised for him to continue the current medical regimen he is on.
As for the pounding heart beat, it may happen to anyone, to any healthy or unhealthy heart. When a premature contraction (extrasystole) happens, the succeeding beat is more forceful and gives the sensation as when one is stressed psychologically. Of course, I understand the concern that your husband had stents implanted, but this does not look as it is related to the stents. Also, just to be clear, I would recommend him to do an EKG, just to rule out this phenomenon.
I hope my answer is of help. I am happy to help, should you have follow-up question(s).
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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