Chest compression pain but only at rest - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Chest compression pain but only at rest

Bikerider69 profile image
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Hello,

I'm new here. I'm a 65 year old male, 73kg, retired nearly 3 years ago, reasonably fit and pretty active (but not an athlete), I got into cycling a couple of years ago and currently do about 100 miles a week. About 2 years ago I was sitting on my bed, I think I had just got up and I had a compression feeling across my chest and both my upper arms. It lasted a couple of minutes - I ignored it - and went, and continued to go cycling, gym, spin classes, walking, diving occasionally. In march this year, I was have a relaxing time sitting on a train in Spain, looking out of the window and I had the same compression sensation. The next day I did a 35 mile cycle on the flat. My heart rate when cycling was, at that time, in the mid 150s BPM no issue there. On a serious hill coming back into the town, it was about 185 BPM, again no issue and I never feel my heart banging away in my chest. The next day I did a more serious ride 35 mile, including a 6 mile climb. My heart rate averaged 157, max 190. Again I never feel my heart banging away. It was a bit tiring though. Two days later, we were on a plane coming back to the UK. I was standing in the aisle, relaxed, having a stretch and, guess what,I had the same compression feeling - chest and both my upper arms. That was twice in about 6 days. Next day I saw my GP. Since then, 2 ECGs, clear; electrocardiogram - left ventricular systolic function mildly impaired, but left ventriculargram fairly normal; Invasive angiogram shows "de-novo lesion from mid LAD to S1 with 50-74% stenosis with full perfusion". In April this year I was prescribed aspirin, bisopropol and atorvastatin as preventive measures. I have not been told that I have had a heart attack. I have been told I can do moderate exercise, according to a document I found on the BHF site, I think that means I can go upto 108 BPM. My cholesterol is 3.5. Yesterday I did a 32 mile ride at an average 106 BPM. The drugs have lowered my resting heart rate from 68 to 57 BPM, and reduced my BP. So, apparently I am "atypical" - have never smoked, don't drink a lot, am not over weight, do exercise, reasonable diet. Next steps are a wire pressure test in a months time, depending on the results, they will stent or not. So, I have only had three "episodes" in the past 2 or 3 years and they have always been at complete relaxed rest - why is that?

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Bikerider69 profile image
Bikerider69

So, this is me now. Last Monday I had my wire pressure test. According to my research, results are based around a reading of 0.8. If its below 0.8, they stent, and above they don't. Mine was 0.92, so no stents. Apparently 0.92 relates to a stenosis/blockage of 20% so I have really good blood flow. Unfortunately, there may be large numbers of people who have this level of stenosis and probably do not even know about it, so I am really lucky. I was told I can get back on my bike and "do what I like". I am so relieved! I will continue to take statins and aspirin for ever, and there was some debate about whether I should continue to take bisoprolol. So why did I have my chest pains? It is possibly a muscular or gastric issue - not my heart. Many thanks to Basildon Hospital CTC staff who have always provided excellent care.

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