Today I was told I had suspected Angina after attending a Rapid Chest Pain Access Clinic. I approaching 60 and class myself as relativley fit undertaking up to regular cycle rides up to 90 miles, open water lake swim events and the odd Sprint Triathlon. I have managed to continue exercise but felt discomfort, more pressure than pain and no shortness of breath. I found the whole experience very confusing as I believed I held a good level of fitness, despite being a bit on the chunky side... However the family history may have been a major factor. So.. I will have a few more tests, an Echocardio and an Angiogram in the weeks ahead. I am trying to remain positive and deal with it, I just hope it does not affect my fitness activities too much. I can't speak highly enough of the staff at the clinic who were first class and recognised how gutted I was when they give me their findings.
So now it's medication time and this is a first for me!
So onwards and upwards.
Seasons greetings and peace to you all🎅
Written by
Cube58
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Welcome to the forum... Don’t worry about the tests a head and I know it’s easy for me to say don’t worry ... But at least your been seen by cardiology... Hope all goes well ... ♥️♥️♥️
Hi and welcome! I was referred to an Urgent Chest Pain Clinic with angina. Subsequently it was confirmed I need a quadruple bypass and am waiting on a date. I would say keep up the exercise but stop before you get discomfort for the time being. The echocardiogram is an easy procedure and I did not find the angiogram that bad either. I had to fast before the angiogram but they gave me a decent breakfast after! You have to take it easy for about 2 days after - and no driving!
Wow a quadruple HBP To be honest I love exercise and the fear of missing out on it is doing my nut in lol. I hope everything goes well for you and you have a speedy recovery.
It was a bit of a shock despite CVD being a curse on the male side of the family! One minute they were talking stents in about four weeks time then what I thought was an appointment letter for the procedure was a CT scan. Two months later I got a call from Harefield talking about the quad. The letter arrived days later. It would have been good to have had it before or even better to be called in to discuss the results. A decade ago I did 14 - 15 mile walks and was planning to walk a marathon. Sadly current fitness is no guarantee of future fitness!
I always find it amazing how people think Fit relates to Healthy, I was one of them. I used to be able to run up 8 flight of stairs without any problem. A week later I had an MI !!!
Most importantly don't worry you're in good hands, as for being fit unfortunately heart problems aren't exclusive to unfit people although yes more likely.
I had angina for a while before getting rushed in with chest pains which wouldn't go away, I came home after a week with three stents and can honestly say I feel better now with more energy than I have for a long long time. Don't get me wrong I'm not about to go running anywhere (not with my knees, another story) but really enjoy long strenuous walks and circuit training with the cardiac rehab team.
Hopefully you will get sorted out soon, in the meantime if you experience any pain your not sure about and it crosses your mind about calling an ambulance DO IT.
Unfortunately if you have a family history of heart issues your level of fitness matters not! I was in a similar place before my diagnosis. An angiogram revealed on artery 95% blocked. Three stents installed and a bit of cardio rehab and I am back doing everything I did before my procedure. Yes, and taking medication.
If you need any procedure they will offer you rehab classes. These classes are specifically to get you exercising and active again - and confident that your heart can take it.
I had a very similar experience. Angina symptoms and then went for a rapid heart test and they hit me with "I think you have furring of the arteries"...Gulp.
Sorry, I'm sure you know this already. The Echocardiagram will make sure your Heart itself is in Good Order (i.e the main engine) and then the Angiogram will show if there is any narrowing of the Arteries which are around the heart.
I found the Angiogram painless. Only a slight initial sting when they placed the catheter in the artery in the wrist and then just a warm sensation when the dye was put in. I'm sure it will be the same for you.
There is still a chance that you might get an all clear. As you are fit already, this will be in your favour. Easy to say don't worry about it but its only natural to..
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Newbie - new diagnosis 
new to this heart disease business and terrified!
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Angiogram following unexpected angina diagnosis new to site
