Newbie

[Judyjinx]

Hi im new to this. Ive shown symptoms of heart failure since 2014 but they were dismissed as asthma. Ive had sheer exhaustion from it. Unable to join in family events due to tiredness. Two months ago i had what was thought to be a heart attack i was sent home with a gtn spray. Week again same out of blue worse than prior back to a&e again kept in week treated for unstable angina. Had angiogram arteries clear. Dr said Coronary spasm Microvascular. Gtn spray sent home.

My gp put me on isobordite (sorry spelling!) Then i was poorly again and had to see a locum who rang cardiologist then put me on double the dose and beta blocker bisborol.

Since being on beta blocker im far less tired i dont need afternoon naps!! I feel tons brighter in myself but im still get lot of pain not bad enough for hospital but enough tstop me in tracks. Use gtn which helps . But im not being seen by anyone other than my gp im worried im slip through net again . Any advice or info i can give gp i feel they dont believe this exists.

Im 54 in north east . Thanks x

[Sina-6491]

Firstly sorry to read you've been through the mill. Lije most on here, I can deffinatly relate to it.

The bit about only being under the Gp.

I have found since my issues all started between 2013/14. That each time you are admit then discharged. It is back to tge Gp as usual. Until the next time you are readmitted.

The only way you are on any kind of cardiologist list. Is if you are booked up for a procedure, example:

Scan, angiagram, opp etc.

As soon as each area is done, you'll be discharged from that consultant's clinic.

I don't think they realise what an impact simply discharging us has.

You kind of think, why are they discharging me when I still clearly have some sort of cardiac issues. Or I will be on cardiac medication for the rest of my life. How can they just discharge me?

As time goes by, I have sussed out. They don't really discharge you. They simply mean you have completed that area of you cardiac issues.

My advice, keep a diary of incidents.

. How you was feeling at the time.

. Had you done anything unusual in the pass 24 hours or so leading up to the episode?

. Has your diet changed in anyway?

. Has your sleep patterns become an issue?

. Has your physical ability changed recently?

. Was you under more stress than usual?

. Have you been through any traumas of late?

Write it all down as and when it happens.

Try to keep copies for yourself, Gp, ambulance and hospital etc.

Keep a prescription on you at all times, so the medical profession have a history.

Go and see your Gp every time you are worried.

And don't worry, you'll be monitored now for any heart related issues. Although you do sometimes have to remind the medical profession. Evan when you've had a heart attack and bypass like me.

But rest assured, the minute you mention cardiac issues, they're onto it.

Sending hugs of support, Jo 😊😊😊

[Zena166]

Hi Judy. It might be helpful to ask to be referred to rehab. When I did rehab last year there was someone with angina on the programme and it seemed to help him. If you live in the Northeast (I live near Newcastle) then try and find a cardiologist who specialises in micro vascular angina at the Freeman Hospital. I’m sure there will be one and ask for a referral. Each area should have a rehab team so you should at least be referred there. As Jo says keep a diary and keep returning either to GP or A&E if not resolved. Take care. Zena x

[not2worry]

My husband has had CHF diagnosed in 1999 and still alive and well. Since his heart attack in 1999 that resulted in having a 5-way by pass and damage to his heart he has been on isosorbide. At the time we went to the Cleveland Clinic here in the States it was a new drug so we were lucky to have it prescribed at the time. Little did we know that almost 20 years later it would be a mainstay in his cardio health. The to other medications that he has taken for 20 years as well is Carvedilol and Plavix. Sometimes these meds make you feel worse before you feel better. I remember the plavix caused him such gas but the Cardio Nurse said give it 2 weeks. Sure enough the side affects went away. We just adapted our thinking to taking the meds like they were vitamins for the heart rather than a medication for something wrong. So glad to hear your “vitamins” are working and your moving onward.

[clarehealsworldwide]

Hi, I'm much better since taking isosorbide mononitrate for my angina since I was diagnosed last October. Cardio rehab classes helped a lot too, as did losing weight.... So far lost 20lbs, with another 20 more to go. I'm in North Yorkshire & was sent to LGI heart Centre for my angiogram. All the best. Clars

[clarehealsworldwide]

(Clare, not Clars)