New member and first post on the forum. Apologies in advance for the long background to my question. In April 2019, I had a moderate to severe heart attack at age 50 while surfing. Other than high cholesterol, I had no co-risk factors and I was very fit, exercising strenuously 6 of 7 days a week, mountain biking, surfing, windsurfing, running, swimming. I had zero detectable symptoms before the attack occurred. Single stent was placed in a fully blocked coronary artery (LAD), one stent but two branches, and I have residual scar tissue from the attack. Returned to pre-attack sports activities after 30-60 days, hard activity around 90 days, and also continued monitored cardio rehab for a full year, 2x per week, with all diagnostics good throughout. Was feeling stronger than ever. Off all meds except blood thinner (prasugrel) and aspirin. At 8 months-post (Dec. 2019, pre-Covid), I began to experience a new feeling of mild congestion/mild cough after a few successive days of hard exercise, most pronounced after an upper body workout. Never felt poorly while exercising, only later in the evening, or the next day. No shortness of breath, no chest pain, just this mild congestion at the back of the throat/top of the chest. This condition is now becoming present more often. I have seen the cardiologist twice for this, plus one ER trip. No heart attack per enzymes, chest xray clear, echo good, stress test good, good ejection fraction, blood pressure fine, pulse rate low, etc. Cardiologist says to continue with what I am doing, that I am not damaging the heart, and that this might be residual inflammation (although it would be unusual this long post-attack). No real diagnosis and no treatment.
If anyone has experienced a similar symptom during their recovery, and has any thoughts to share, it would be appreciated. Other than continuing to watch this and returning to the doctor if it changes in frequency, nature, or intensity, I have nothing to work with. Thanks.
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Chris
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