A tad puzzled

[stooboo12]

Hi. Im a newby here and I was wondering if someone could please help me out. Could anyone please advise me on a medical issue concerning Angina.

I went to a gps with symptoms of what I thought may be Angina and he(without) examination diagnosed me with Angina . I was not given any medication or advice .....can anyone tell me if this is normal practice as Im worried that Imay have another Angina attack in the meantime as ive no meds while im waiting on my referal to come from the chest pain clinic.

I was told I should have been given preventitive medicine.

Any help would be most grateful

[Zena166]

Hi and welcome. I understand he may want to wait for a full assessment. It may be useful to speak to the BHF helpline. I would have thought a GTN spray may have been helpful whilst waiting for the clinic appointment. Maybe try and phone and speak to the GP tomorrow. In the meantime if you have any chest pain call 999 if needed. It’s a worrying time. Try and relax. I know it’s easier said than done but try and speak to the helpline and you will get information to help you whilst waiting. Take care. Zena

[stooboo12 in reply to Zena166]

Thank you Zena for your reply I was just about to log off when I seen I had a reply. The gp has me worried as ive had no examination,I have a family history of heart desease and he sent me away home so it is concerning me

[Plum53 in reply to stooboo12]

Hi if he has referred you to the chest pain clinic you should be seen within two weeks there they may decide you need further tests and going by these they would start you on medication and you may need angiogram to see what's going on with your arteries . When I went to my Gp with symptoms of Angina I was sent to chest pain clinic then given apt. For exercise stress test . After this cardiologist started me on Bisoprolol and gave me GTN spray . I was then booked in to have angiogram . Hope you get seen soon good luck

[Foxyhole in reply to Zena166]

I thought your Dr would have sent you for an immediate ECG!!!! I had hear attack last week and left it for 2 days silly me. Call 999 if you get chest pains that feel different than usual

[Emily_BHF]

Hi stooboo12,

I am sorry to hear you are in this confusing position. The GP has referred you for a thorough assessment at a chest pain clinic where they can assess your risk and determine what other diagnostic tests you may benefit from- including coronary angiogram, ECG and echo scan. It may be that they want to know more details before prescribing any medication for you to be certain it is angina.

I would recommend making another appointment with your GP to clarify this or whether they might consider medication for you now. This may include GTN spray to relieve the symptoms of angina.

For more information about tests and medications, please go to our website ww.bhf.org.uk

If you experience chest pain do not hesitate to seek medical help and call 999.

Take care,

Emily

[stooboo12 in reply to Emily_BHF]

Thank you Emily for your reply. Still very confused as when I seen doctor I was showing and feeling the ailments of heart attack symptoms. Informed him of my family history with cvoronary desease to which he never investigated and with no examination of any kind atall diagnosed me with stable angina, give me no meds, and the only reassurance I had off him was to....not exert so much energy whilst cleaning my floor.... Now yesterday I had two episodes of severe pain in my chest.Ive BEEN to chest pain clinic off my own initiative and ive been told ive already suffered to heart attacks after my ecg........im on various meds which ive been told are preventitive medicines until i see cardiologist , my question now is.....had the GP prescribed preventitive meds until my chest appt came through would I have had these attacks.....Im a tad confused and a tad angry

[Emily_BHF in reply to stooboo12]

Hi Stooboo12,

I would recommend discussing this with your GP. You may also find it useful to chat to a cardiac nurse on our Heart Helpline, please call us on 0300 330 3311 (calls are a similar cost to 01 or 02 numbers). The Heart Helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Take care,

Emily

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I went to the GP with what I assumed to be angina symptoms. He confirmed that he thought it was stable angina and referred me to the Urgent Chest Pain Clinic. After a six week wait and two bad angina attacks (nearly dialled 999) I was seen at the clinic. The second cardiologist I saw prescribed me isosorbide mononitrate (an anti-anginal) which was quite effective for five months. By the time I had my bypass I think the angina had progressed to Stage III/IV (becoming unstable).

My personal view is that if a GP suspects angina they should prescribe GTN spray - if it works the diagnosis would be half way there; if not also valuable information.