Hey all. So a couple of months ago I went to the emergency with jaw arm and slight chest pain. Ecg was clear but blood test said i had heart attack !! After a hospital stay, angiogram, echo cardio they ruled out heart attack and have diagnosed me with prinzmetal angina. Im trying to get my head around this. Most days are good and I have no pain. I just find that I am exhausted all the time. Also extremely low moods. Any thoughts and any other prinzmetal people here that can give me tips on how to cope, what to expect etc ??
Many thanks
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Waheedav
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An interesting diagnosis. Can I ask if you are in the UK or the US. I am in the UK and recently saw a Consultant who told me we no longer use the term Prinzmetal Angina, although he didn"t elaborate on why.
I have Angiospasm / Vasospasm resulting in Angina at rest. I have had two heart incidents, the first a HA caused by a blocked Septal Artery which they were unable to stent and the second a huge Angiospasm. The second caused a much higher TP score and more long term heart damage.
Some of the Consultants / Doctors I have seen refer to this second episode as a HA, others a Heart related incident.
In the two years since I have experienced a great deal of Angiospasm induced Angina. At first the severity of this resulted in A&E admissions,now I have learned to recognise what is going on.
For me all of the following apply:
My attacks are episodal in nature. I can go for weeks with no problems and then have severe attacks for several days / weeks
They are most definitely triggered by stress.
They are often preceded by a hot flush.
I also react to extremes of temperature, particularly getting overheated.
I only started to experience this condition after my first HA and in the months that followed, the Cardiologist removed many of my drugs in an attempt to calm the Angiospasm down. Now I only take Amlodopine, Isosorbide Mononitrate and Aspirin. The Amplodopine is split 1/2 in the morning 1/2 at night.
Prior to the first incident I experienced severe Migraines for most of my life. I have only had two in the two years since. One Consultant told me that some researchers believe the Migraine and Angiospasm are linked and it is my drug cocktail that is now keeping the Migraine at bay.
At my most recent visit to the Endocrinologist (very high cholesterol) I was told that it was possible that my Angiospasm is drug induced and that one of my remaining drugs, or the Thyroid tablets I take, is the cause. Am not sure whether that is possible but I am researching.
Sitting or lying down makes the attacks much worse. When I have one the best thing to do is get my walking boots on and go for a 5-6 mile walk. Within 15 minutes of starting the pain will subside.
In conclusion I think that Angiospasm / Vasospasm is very little understood. How you have all the symptoms of a HA and a raised Troponine, but it is not a HA, seems counter-intuitive to me. However for some reason some Doctors prefer not to call it a HA, others insist it is.
The fact that it is little understood means you have to take control. Keep a diary to identify your triggers, keep asking questions, do your research and don't be fobbed off by people who don't understand the condition. One question I ask with every new HP I meet is 'what causes this condition'. You quickly realise who does understand it and who doesn't.
I am in the UK and my doc has referred to it as vasospastic angina and prinzmetal. Same thing he says.
Like you though also used to suffer with awful migraine but have not had one since starting on meds. I am taking diltiazem 3 times a day, statin and aspirin. They have also given me gtn spray to use when i need to.
Your suggestions have been really helpful. I start cardiac rehab soon and my cardiac nurse has also suggested counselling so Im hoping all of that will help the low moods.
Thank you for responding. Hope you to continue to fare well.
The thing that I have found most helpful with both the low mood and the pain is exercise.
As long as I am active I have very few problems unless I am mid an episode of attacks.
I bought a Fitbit, walk approx 10,000 - 12,000 steps a day, and try to do a minimum of 500 steps every hour. Sitting down is a real no, no except for an hour in the evening.
If I am going to have an attack it is always when I am sitting down or asleep. I sometimes wonder if my heart is just sluggish in those scenarios.. 😱😱😱
Hi. I had a heart attack nearly 6 years ago age 50. I have always ate well and exercised regularly and run several half marathons despite at the time being a light smoker. Nevertheless it was a huge shock. At first I put the chest pains I'd been having down to stress as my mum had died3 months before. After an angiogram, ECG, echo cardiogram and alot of observations Prinzmetal Angina was diagnosed. This is the first time I have heard the name has beven changed but sounds the same. My angiogram only showed minimal narrowing of the arteries so my condition is controlled by medication of simvastatin,aspirin, tildiem, bisoprolol,isorsobide and levothyroxine for under active thyroid. Thank God Ive kept well and only needed to use my GTN spray very rarely -mainly when I'm stressed. The most difficult part of the recovery process I found was the mental and emotional side as I had to learn to have confidence in myself and body again and not think that every time I burped, sneezed or had a pain that I was going to have another heart attack! I've successfuly returned to Jogging, cycling and pilates and encourage others to know and believe in life after heart attack /Prinzmetal Angina /Vasospasm.
Thank you !!! I really needed to hear this. I havent had to use my gtn spray but today am feeling as though I may need to. Stress is definately a huge trigger.
Its great to know that you are getting on with life and doing well.
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