Joe,

Thanks for your question.  Most of the side effects of Plavix are related to bleeding.  One study involving 9599 subjects taking Plavix showed that 4.5% of patients developed dyspnea (breathing difficulty).  Though this is a possibility, I am also concerned about the possibility of your shortness of breath being caused by your heart disease.  Stents have revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease, but they occasionally become blocked due to clot formation on the stent.  Some people manifest their coronary disease with shortness of breath.   I would call your cardiologist for his opinion about the cause of your symptoms.

I hope this has been helpful.  Feel better.

Martin Cane, M.D.