Is it possible to have angina whilst resting, but ok doing everything else like exercise etc with no issues? It’s mainly at rest and is a ache, but I also suffer with really bad anxiety.
I thought if it was angina, and you’re getting it at rest then surely it’s got to get worse once you exercise and get your heart rate raised?
There is a condition called unstable angina which comes on at rest - but I don't know if it gets worse or better with exercise. You really should be talking to your GP about this.
There is a type of angina called Prinzmetal angina which comes on at rest or during sleep rather than on exercise. I think you should discuss with your GP maybe keep a diary as to what you were doing when you experience the ache. Details of your mood, were you anxious about anything etc
Hello, as Nathan53 says, you could have Prinzmetal's angina, where one or more coronary arteries go into spasm, or microvascular angina, where the small blood vessels to your heart don't work as they should. You will need a good cardiologist to diagnose you: many cardiologists are ill-informed about these conditions.
It is no doubt possible that the problem is something else.
As others have already said you can experience chest pain at rest if your blood vessels go into spasm..Coronary artery spasm aka Prinzmetal/ variant/ vasospastic angina or if it's the small vessels Microvascular angina.
Unstable angina comes on at rest too and unless you have been told you have Coronary artery spasms or Microvascular angina you must go and get this checked out by a Cardiologist sooner rather than later along with your diary of symptoms as suggested by Nathan
I started with chest pains on and off for over two years which always came on at rest. I didn't realise this was angina and after one heart attack and seven stents pluss two arteries semi occluded i am very lucky to be here. Please see gp urgently and get checked, not intending to scare you but i wish i had listened to my family before it happened. Wishing you all the best.
What did your chest pain feel like and how long would it last as a minimum?
What did your chest pains feel like, and how long did they last for?
Was the chest pain a tightness, or sharp pains?
Did you feel the pains in the centre of the chest or on the left side?
The pains where too the left of Centre, felt like a crushing tightening feeling sometimes a severe pain spreading too my left arm and jaw. These sometimes could last in excess of fifteen minutes, As i said before i was very lucky as i didn't think it was heart relate because i also have acid reflux disease which is very similar pain wise.
Hi I have unstable angina and it can come on during exercise or at rest. My biggest episodes have come at rest. I would recommend getting checked as soon as just to be sure
Hi, can I ask what it feels like, and can I ask how long it normally lasts?
Does it last a few seconds or minutes?
Hi.
I had single episode of slight chest pain when exercising which was diagnosed as angina resulting in 4 stents inserted.
After treatment I started getting frequent sharp pains throughout chest and down shoulder blades. After many weeks of medication changes (and 3 more exercise based angina tests each confirming that angina wasn't the cause) everything went back to normal. Apparently my body didn't tolerate the initial combination of medicines. So your problem MAY not be caused directly by angina.
However, I'd support all the other advice you've been given, "see your GP straight away". My GP and local hospital, working together, took my problems and after a lot of experimenting found a solution. Now, over 3 years since, I've had no further chest pains.
Best of luck to quickly get back to normal.
My stable angina started to become unstable in the run up to my bypass. However, it still continues on exercise (in my case quite short walks). On exercising the symptoms were pressure to the centre of the chest, pain radiating out from the area accompanied by breathlessness. These would subside after a few minutes rest. The thing to note is people present differently and could have pain in the chest/arm/neck or a combination thereof. You must see you doctor now! If you get pain that does not clear ring 999!
I’m sure most of your questions have been answered. Only a couple of points.
I get both stable and unstable angina, stable is when I exercise, after food, carrying something heavy, up hills, hot, cold, humid weather, stairs and inclines. Also with stress. You mentioned your anxiety. Even a scary film an do it!
I cope with exercise and uphills by starting slowly, warming up well and then go for it!
Unstable is a bit different. Mine can come when not exercising or exerting myself, even while in bed, eg if I turnover. It is mostly chest tightness, breathless, left of neck or arm, and shoulder blade pain. The pattern is fairly similar each time.
I use the GTN spray sometimes to prepare for exercise, or with stable angina, though i mostly reserve it (they keep my BP very low, so a couple of sprays can make me faint) for escalating angina.
I know this is rather lengthy and I apologise, but I thought I’ve learned so much over the 6 or so years I’ve been learning to live with both anginas.
I have microvessel disease, have had three Heart Attacks and 9 stents, but have managed on meds for the last 5 years.
I do hope this helps, and reassures you that learning a lot about your own angina and how to deal with it, can improve your safety and quality of life.
Thank you so much for your reply,
You mentioned arm pain, is your left arm pain ever there by it self, without any other chest tightness etc, or does that accompany it?
Your left arm pain, what does that feel like, is it a pinching feeling, sharp etc?
Do you ever get the pain for a few seconds or is there a minimum duration? Someone else on the post said it’s 5-10 mins, but was wondering what yours were.
Thank you for replying
Thank you, too! Always interesting to hear others experience.
For me, I only ever get left arm pain with the more frequent chest tightness, and it just feels heavy.
As to duration. If I’m rushing or exercising too much, and get pain, it goes pretty quickly once I reduce speed or intensity. I’ve been told not to stop too quickly, just reduce steadily.
Unstable angina can go on for ages, a spray helps, but often only temporarily.
You mention anxiety. I wonder what you think is happening there? I’m still puzzled by it.
Let me know if you find good new insights. I could do with more ideas!
Five - ten minutes. Only happened a few times but each time I wondered if it was the precursor to a heart attack?*!
I also don't feel classic elephant on my chest central pain. I feel pain in my upper back and the sensation of a cheese wire cutting through my upper chest.
One man I have met in his forties told me the only symptom he had of his heart attack was a tight dull ache in his RIGHT forearm. When the paramedics arrived his ECG showed that he was having the most serious type of heart attack and he was rushed to the nearest heart attack centre.
Please do go and see your Doctor to make sure what you are feeling is not heart related
What does your pain feel like in your back?
My particular diagnosis and pain are individual to me and perhaps the most helpful way for you to be reassured is for you to go and see a doctor and to discuss what you are feeling and your concerns?
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