Unstable angina

[Glassywork]

My husband, fourteen years after bypass surgery, has developed unstable angina. Help! He keeps fit, exercises and eats a healthy diet, any suggestions?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! You say he has developed unstable angina. Did he have angina before this? If not it might be a different condition, like Prinz-metal angina. Bypasses do sometimes fail or there could be an issue with an artery that was not bypassed.

Has he seen his GP? If not he needs to do so. If you get concerned over the weekend ring 111 for advice - they will arrange an ambulance if they feel it necessary.

[Glassywork in reply to MichaelJH]

Yes he was admitted to hospital last year and relevant tests ( angiogram, echocardiogram) were done and bypass grafts are looking good. I shall pass on the information, thanks again

[shopman in reply to Glassywork]

If you say this was done last year then he may need to be tested again to be on the safe side as things can change over a small period of time.

[Glassywork in reply to shopman]

We went to A and E this morning and all looks good, ecg, chest X Ray, blood tests etc and all is ok. But chest tightness is still there.

[Glassywork in reply to MichaelJH]

A and E visited this morning, all ok ( ecg, X Ray of chest, blood test for enzyme levels). Micro vascular angina, Prinzmetal angina seem to fit his symptoms but this was not mentioned specifically, apart from the doctor saying that there are types of angina which are not typical. He has been referred back to Cardiology which is good. Thanks for the information, it’s been very useful

[Bazza1234]

My understanding of all this ( and I may have it wrong!!) is that things like bypasses and stents solve the immediate problem of blocked arteries but do not solve the underlying long term problems that lead to the immediate problems. The long term problem that mostly causes all of this is the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. Now whether that is caused by lifestyle factors or genetic factors or both is arguable but the slow buildup of plaque has to be avoided. Is your husband taking statins??

[Glassywork in reply to Bazza1234]

Yes he takes statins, you are right about underlying damage which is why he exercises and eats a healthy diet, I’m interested in effect of diet on plaque build up. He thinks the damage is done

[controlcause]

Stable angina means pain during exercise whereas pain during rest happens for gastric reason also if last year it was all ok and he is exercising regularly without any difficulties

[jimmyq]

He needs to see his doctor.

Officially, I had 5 blocked arteries, 4 of which have been bypassed in 1997. I had a mini-stroke at Christmas. Since March I have been following a WFPB (whole food plant based) diet after watching the film "Forks Over Knives". My weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and pulse have come down to "normal" levels (80kg, 100/60, 2.7, 60bpm), sometimes lower, such that my doctor has been reducing my medication. She has taken me off the statin, because I was getting a lot of side effects as well as my cholesterol coming down, and the diuretic. I am convinced that my arteries are clearing but I have no proof of that except for blood pressure, cholesterol and pulse. If my arteries were still blocked these would be still raised.

[Glassywork in reply to jimmyq]

I shall watch Forks over Knives, it has obviously helped you

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Unstable angina mostly happens while at rest, even asleep. Unlike stable angina, which is bought on by exertion and hot, cold, etc. I am told my unstable angina is due to microvessel disease, too small to stent.

My meds have been juggled for a long time, at last giving some reduction in symptoms. Unlike stable angina, it is v hard to find ways to avoid or control it yourself. I do know stress doesn’t help, and eating in the evening!

[Glassywork in reply to Kristin1812]

Thanks for that. He is seeing cardiologist soon. We shall eat earlier and try to relax. But he is stressed with the pain, how do you cope? Thanks for your reply

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

I do hope those two changes help a bit.

You ask ‘how do you cope?’

I don’t want to make it all sound easy. It isn’t. It took me quite a while to get over the shock of the HAs and getting used to taking life at a different pace.

I think the hardest thing was having to face my own mortality so suddenly.

Very shocking. The next hardest thing was working out how to get as much out of life....even if I’m a bit restricted.

I did take antidepressants for a while which took the edge off. And I had some v useful therapy.

I was told that working up to a good level of exercise would build up alternative microvessels and help my heart function better, in spite of some areas of damage from the HAs. So cardiac exercise, Zumba and brisk walking has been a big feature for me in improving my mood and fitness.

I’m not sure if that’s what you meant by your question ‘how are you coping’’? Perhaps I:m rambling...?

[Glassywork]

No you are not rambling at all. My husband does exercise, brisk walking every day since his bypass operation but this has stopped him in his tracks. Your advice is sound and I am sure he will regain confidence and fitness. Maybe he needs to accept some limitations. It’s just good ( for me) to get some ideas from other people who have the same problem so thank you for your very helpful reply.

[Helen_BHF]

Hi Glassywork here's a few links from the BHF on angina you might find helpful:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

This booklet is for people living with angina plus their families: bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...