I had a bypass a year ago and everything seemed to be going fairly well. I noticed a bit of chest pain in May but this seemed to pass over and the consultant wasn’t too concerned. However, two or three weeks ago I noticed some left-sided chest/arm/shoulder pain when cycling and this has got progressively worse, and occurs even when at rest. This culminated in a visit to A and E last Thursday. My troponin level was good (8) and The ECG just showed the usual left bundle branch block and sinus rhythm. Expecting this was good news, I was shocked to be told it could indicate unstable angina. I’ve confirmed this with a BHF nurse and a 111 doctor. It’s possible this is reflux or suchlike, but I doubt it. The pain is mostly mild/moderate, moving around, but has been more or less continuous for days. I’ve been referred to the Rapid Chest Pain Clinic, but have no appointment date yet. The 111 doctor just told me matter-of-factly “it just means you’re more likely to have a stroke or heart attack”.
Some bad news…: I had a bypass a year... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Some bad news…
Not something you want to happen at anytime, let alone just before Christmas. Let’s hope that that the situation resolves itself but it must be very scary for you and your family, causing stress levels to raise which will not help. Fingers crossed that you continue to get the medical support you need to get back on track as soon as possible, best wishes……..
Many thanks. I hope the wait to get to the Rapid Chest Pain Clinic isn’t to great, the uncertainty is one of the worst aspects.
Sorry to hear this. I hope you whatever it is can be treated and you’re feeling better soon.
Thanks. Mostly it’s not much worse than indigestion in terms of pain, it’s more what it signifies.
Yes. Absolutely. At least you have the good sense to seek attention rather than put it down to digestive issues or costochondritis. Better safe than sorry.
Unfortunately, I did delay going for a week or so! Anything but face the unpleasant reality. The chances of it being costochondritis now look small.
It’s so easy to put things off in the hope that it’s something a lot less serious. Let’s hope it is. Good luck with your upcoming appointment.
I hope, being continuous in nature, that this turns out, as I expect it to, to be gastric in origin, perhaps stomach or diaphragm related. Wouldn't angina increase with oxygen demand and decrease at rest and be accompanied with breathlessness on exertion? I have a small hiatus hernia and can get discomfort similar to that which you describe and I put it down to that.
Best of luck with everything. I can imagine the worry.
Steve
It’s not impossible, but from the doctors and others I’ve spoken to, they lean towards angina. My reasoning was the same as yours: if it’s more or less continuous then it’s not likely to be angina, but they said that wasn’t the case. The BHF nurse was strongly suggesting unstable angina; a doctor I spoke to yesterday was a bit more tight-lipped but said “the symptoms are consistent with angina”. Thanks for the reply.
Samazeuihl2, could it possibly just be a touch of arthritis or a pulled muscle from your cycling, or a rotator cuff injury? A &E, which I think is similar to our ER here in the States, might give a broad diagnosis and cause undue alarm. It's hard to not worry, but if you can get an appointment with an EP, it might ease your anxiety.
Thanks for replying. It’s probably lasted too long for it to be a pulled muscle and it tends to come and go. I haven’t done any cycling for a while. I’m going to try to see a GP tomorrow if possible. I think if I went to see an EP they would just order tests which are impending anyway.
I hate to compare UK to US but here in the States your clinical symptoms and your medical history would require an emergency angiogram to rule out a reblockage of your coronary arteries. In the meantime please ask for a medical treatment while waiting for an angiogram . If needed go private to see the cardiologist . Once the angiogram reveals that there is no reblockage then you can focus on the stomach and or the aorta .
Yes, I’m very surprised they have not acted more promptly. They have referred me to a Rapid Chest Pain Clinic, but haven’t said when- I’ll try to find out tomorrow. I think the basis for not acting more promptly might be that the troponin result was 8 (normal), but that does sound a risky strategy. Today I’ve (so far) had less pain, but I did get some when walking and just now after eating.
This is a post I just did for Cal here but may help you.
I take 2000FU Nattokinase daily (weird but that's the abbreviation - Fibrolytic Units I believe). BLOOD THINNER/DRANO
I take NO prescription blood thinners. I would point you to one of my past posts but it appears the Medical Police didn't like my posts about healthy alternatives to the medical tyranny that we have, so I can't share those with you. I would encourage you to read these links.
mskcc.org/cancer-care/integ...
verywellhealth.com/what-is-...
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
The potential (low risk) of a blood clot or crud stripped off of your arteries that MAY get lodged elsewhere is possible.
I would point out that an angioplasty where they scrape your heart arteries clean can cause the same issue. My cardiologist wanted me to do one since the various scans said I was partially blocked and needed to have that done. I reverted back to an item I took years ago and have been taking now for about 4 months (MRM Cardio Chelate 3 capsules in AM 2hrs b4 a ny food.. Last month I went back to Cardiologist and his first comment was "John, you look good!" He told me that he could tell by my skin tone and color that my health and circulation had improved. He did an EKG on the spot and after the exam he said my EKG was much improved and told me to keep doing what I'm doing and he'll see me in 6 months.
swansonvitamins.com/p/mrm-n...
vitacost.com/mrm-cardio-che...
I've been taking Nattokinase for 8 years now.
I want to add that I used to break out on my thighs, buttocks and such with pimples often. after taking the Cardio Chelate for about a month that started to clear up. My thinking is that the capillaries were clearing out and the waste from my cells was able to be removed from the area since blood was circulating better due to the "Drano" effect.
One other item which may be TMI is that the little guy is as strong as he was when I was in college, a side benefit.
If you try the Cardio Chelate be advised that later in the day one needs to supplement their minerals since it also strips them out as well. Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc mainly. So i take those during lunch time with food. Once a week I take a general multi-mineral to fill in the rest. Good luck and contact me if you would like more info.
Hope your appointment comes up soon. Wishing you all the very best.
Many thanks. I’ve been referred to the cardiologist but have not been told how long the wait will be.
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