Post HA issues

[mikehalliman]

Hi, this is my first post here. I had a major heart attack 8 years ago, but only had one stent fitted. Post op I was fine for two to three years, (swimming 150 lengths a day, attending cardiac rehab etc). But then the full impact of my condition became more readily apparent and i developed angina, so i started going downhill. I have now been waiting for over one year for a pressure wire test, but seem to get sent for other tests etc (even though the pressure wire test is the one that decides whether or not i get another stent). Not sure if anyone else is getting the same sort of delays. I live in Plymouth. I have to say that every time i get to see a healthcare professional, I get fantastic treatment, but the trick is in getting to see them. I have had several "near misses " recently, and am worried that i might get the treatment i need too late. Sorry if this sounds like a winge but I recognise the massive pressure the medics are under too........

[Zena166]

Hi Mike. When you say near misses do you mean in terms of chest pains etc? If you are having deteriorating symptoms then it’s important to go to A&E or phone 111/999 and then you maybe reviewed by a cardiac team. It may well be worth discussing with your Gp to see if you can hurry along the appointment and/or be referred to the cardiologist for a further review. Keep pestering as you say treatment is great but sometimes admin/appointments get mislaid. Stay strong and keep pestering! Zena

[mikehalliman in reply to Zena166]

Hi there, thanks for the reply. Near misses are what I am sure were heart attacks (very similar to the original one) and what I am told were "vaso vagal syncope" several times.

I feel better now but do worry that it might get out of hand. i heard from my GP recently and he was very disappointed to hear that i have had no appointment for the pressure wire test. I really do not want to go to A and E to be honest, but will try the cardiology dept again next week. Thanks Zena

[Effiecat in reply to mikehalliman]

I’ve had vaso vagal events. They’re v scary. Blood pressure plummeting, feeling of impending doom! stomach erupts, chest pain, breathless, severe sweating and passing out. They are similar to bad angina attacks and HAs I’ve had, but not identical.

Apparently, they happen when BP gets v low. For me, when I’m stressed, if I take a GTN spray, which reduces BP even more (the Drs keep mine as low as possible because of unstable angina) or if I have some kind of infection, or in v hot weather!

Could that be it? It’s been v hot recently, and this dilates blood vessels even more, so BP reduces in the heat.

If you lie flat on the floor, your BP returns to normal.

Hope this all means something to you. It was v scary before I got a bit of a grip on what was happening, Less ambulances!

[mikehalliman in reply to Effiecat]

Thanks for the reply. sorry for the delay in getting back to you. It does sound exactly like what has happened to me. I also take a GTN spray. I have noticed too that the attacks happen shortly after i take my blood pressure meds in the mornings. Maybe I need to stagger them through the day?. I wish you well.

Cheers

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

What other tests?

I was at one stage told I would be stented in about four weeks. Over a longish period I then had other tests (CT scan, echocardiogram, etc,) and it was concluded I needed a bypass because of the number of arteries affected, the position of some of the blockages and calcification. Could this be the case?

[mikehalliman in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi there, thanks for the reply. The tests were CT and angiogram, even though i was told a year ago that the pressure wire test was the definitive one. I have been told I have "mild blockage" of one artery and "severe blockage" of another, but was told that a stent should correct that, with further medication to reduce the progression of the coronary heart disease. I am hoping that this is correct but have to wait now until this waiting list business is sorted.