Why Do You Feel Breathless Even After Angioplasty / Bypass?

Why do you feel breathless even after Angioplasty / Bypass? You might think your Heart problem is over, but your body tells a different story.

"Doctor, I've had a stent placed... all reports are normal... but I get breathless even after walking a little." This is a sentence we hear daily.

This should not be ignored. But there's no reason to panic either.

Let's understand the reason in simple terms:

1. Removing a Blockage Doesn't Immediately Strengthen the Heart. Angioplasty / Bypass clears the blood pathway. But the Heart muscle might already be tired or stiff.

2. The Heart Does Two Jobs. First - it pumps blood forward forcefully. Second - it relaxes comfortably to take blood in.

3. In some people, the problem is with "forceful pumping". A tired Heart → reduced strength → leads to breathlessness.

4. In some people, the problem is with "Relaxation". A stiff Heart → doesn't relax properly → internal Pressure increases → leads to breathlessness.

This is a muscle relaxation problem. The Heart doesn't relax, similar to stiffness in the body.

5. That's why you experience discomfort even if your Echo report is normal. The report shows normal pumping, but the Heart is strained internally.

6. Remember, this discomfort is not your fault. It's not due to laziness, weakness, or age.

7. There are solutions for this: The right medication, appropriate physical activity, and a suitable lifestyle. Combining all these makes a difference.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself: - Do you frequently have to stop while walking? - Do you feel heaviness in your chest or get breathless while climbing stairs? - Do you need to use extra pillows at night?

If the answer is "yes," do not ignore this.

8. Starting today, note down when and why you experience breathlessness. While walking? After meals? While sleeping at night? This information is very useful for treatment.

9. This is the first step... This post is the first in the Heart Failure Rehab Series.

For you, for your family. If you or anyone in your family experiences breathlessness after Angioplasty / Bypass, comment below: "When and how do you get breathless?" We will decide future posts based on your questions.

Dr. Ravindra L Kulkarni, MD, DNB, FSCAI (Cardiology) Just For Hearts