No pain

[BusaMags]

Hi everyone. My cardiologist yesterday told me after an angiogram that my main arteries are clear but she thinks my small ones are blocked. Am I the only person that does not have chest pain. On excersion I get very breathless a tightness in my chest and very bad Jaw pain. All I was told was there are no tests to prove that I have Angina of the smaller arteries but she is going to continue with my medication just up the dosage. I am due on 22nd for a echocardiogram. If I have Angina in my small arteries is this as bad has having it in the main large ones. 2 people believe it is. Any information good or bad would be greatfully appreciated x

[young85]

Go onto YouTube and put in

‘Angina explained’

It’s by yorkcardiology, watch the video.

It’s very good.

[BusaMags in reply to young85]

Thank you for your reply. I will take anlook. Take care x

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I would not like to say if small vessel disease is more or less worse than large vessel disease. Untreated the small vessel type could lead to heart attack or heart failure.

You need to make the same lifestyle changes as those with large vessel disease - and definitely no smoking. Obviously BP and cholesterol levels will need monitoring.

Presentation of angina pain varies massively between individuals - some people have had heart attacks with no pain. In some cases lack of pain is the result of nerve damage caused by other conditions.

[jimmyq in reply to MichaelJH]

That's interesting. A few years ago I had all the symptoms of HA without the pain. The hospital said that I hadn't had a HA because there was no residual damage. Baffled me! What has residual damage got to do with whether one has had a HA? Anyway, sod their definitions, I am still here, phew!

[BusaMags in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank for replying. I don't smoke I don't drink but I'm over weight which I fight a dailyt battle to loose. I also have Osteoarthritis so this is hard as I find it hard to even walk. But I do try to keep going. Take care x

[BusaMags in reply to BusaMags]

I'm glad that you are still here x

[Hidden]

Have a look at this reference, it may enlighten you: -

health.harvard.edu/blog/blo...

Secondly, your question is quite specific and again from your question, it appears you have been asking around. This is really not the place to ask so specific a question because you see we are also just patients, all at differing stages of healing, all with different diseases. We all have been concerned about our health or lack of it, and have also been advised to ask a doctor or the cardiologist that is heading your team. Even the family would only give you a guestimate and advise you to refer your question to your heart team. If anyone here did say something that was wrong and that caused you distress and a worsening health or perception of your health - what do you think that would make us feel? We all sympathise and are here to support, but not to give health prognosis. Good luck to you and get the professional advice you so need

[BusaMags in reply to Hidden]

I'm asking what others experience as they are the people who know best. I like to here what others in the same position as me are feeling and advise also to support them. I realise we are all got different health problems ect. I have ask and will continue to ask my team. But you don't get to see them that much. That's why I ask others going through the same that understand completely. This is all new to me as well so trying to understand it all. I used to work in healthcare so I like to find out as much as I can from the people who as suffering this illness as well as the clinical side of it.

[BusaMags in reply to BusaMags]

P.s. to be honest people like you that appear to disapprove of me asking these questions. Make me feel that I don't belong on here. And this has made me feel bad for wanting to ask other who have been going through this longer. I would never ask if I thought I would upset anyone. And I am NOT asking for a prognosis just there veiw on there experience. I'm just taking a holistic approach. I now don't feel like I will ask any more on here Taken care. X

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to BusaMags]

I have sent you a message

[MK1954]

I think symptom wise it is often overlooked by cardiologists. They suggested I could not have that level of discomfort and breathlessness from a "sub artery" but you know your body best. Keep talking to them until you are happy.

[BusaMags in reply to MK1954]

Oh I will thank you for your reply but I also like to talk to others and what they have to say about it not just the clinical side of things.

[MK1954 in reply to BusaMags]

Good Morning BusaMags,

I agree that talking to others on here is great.

[BusaMags in reply to MK1954]

Morning. It get a lot of information by chatting also if I can make someone feel more positive and supportive that also makes my day. X

[jimmyq]

If you have blocked arteries, I recommend that you watch the film "Forks Over Knives". It is on Netflix and YouTube. It is about global medical heart research and the findings, including a massive study of 800,000 Chinese people. You might find it helpful, I did. It might save you having surgery or worse.

I have been on a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet since March and the evidence of my blood pressure (117/70), cholesterol (2.7) and pulse (50-60) indicate that my arteries are cleared. So, it has taken only 6 months. My doctor is gradually taking me off all the meds, the diuretics and statins have gone. What have you got to lose?

[BusaMags in reply to jimmyq]

Thank you for replying. I am looking into that. I'm doing as much research as possible from all side. X

[Prada47 in reply to jimmyq]

Hi Jimmy are you saying the WFPB diet has cleared your arteries ???

[jimmyq in reply to Prada47]

I would need an angiogram to verify that but if my arteries were still blocked my blood pressure would still be high. The evidence of my BP and cholesterol indicate that my arteries are cleared.

[Jinky07 in reply to jimmyq]

I watched this the other day after seeing you post about it several times. Gives you a lot to think about. Don’t think I could just switch to a WFPB but seriously considering attempting to start with a 80/20 approach and see how things develop from there.

[jimmyq in reply to Jinky07]

I think the diet has saved my life. If you are giving it a try you can do it gradually. Any improvement in your diet is for the better. Try some WFPB cook books to get you started.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Please keep posting!

I have microvessel disease, and it took a while to diagnose. I am still getting very much the same symptoms as you, which have reduced a lot with meds....the vessels were too small to stent.

Mine was diagnosed late as larger vessel disease was addressed first, and lots of stents were put in. They were then puzzled why I still kept getting symptoms (like yours), after this.

I understand it’s difficult to diagnose, and mine is done by exclusion. In fact I’ve just been offered another angiogram so they can exclude larger vessel disease, and feel more confident of a ‘microvessel’ diagnosis.

Hope this makes sense?

[BusaMags]

Thank you for your reply. It did make sence. I really hope they find away of making you feel better. Take care xx

[Prada47]

Jimmyq wrote " I have been on a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet since March and the evidence of my blood pressure (117/70), cholesterol (2.7) and pulse (50-60) indicate that my arteries are cleared "

Jimmy sorry but that is not evidence it's just a fact that your BP is low. What was it before you started the diet ?. Wait until all your meds are stopped ( they may be the reason your BP is Low ) I am all for wonder cures but WFPB has never been mentioned by Cardiology/GP/Heart Nurse or Dietician. I am not trying to be controversial just questioning the evidence. It would be interesting to see what the BHF Research into WFPB has concluded !!!!

regards

[jimmyq in reply to Prada47]

Before the diet it was around 180/100. My cholesterol was 6.5 and my pulse was in the 60s. I was taking a statin, diuretic, bisoprolol and clopidogrel. I only take the latter 2 now. You are right! I would like to find a test to show whether my arteries are clear or not. I want the peace of mind that would give me. My doctor doesn't know of one. An angiogram would do it but I don't think I could get that.

[Prada47 in reply to jimmyq]

Hi Jimmy,

Just a question why did Whoever put you on Clopidogrel ? and at what dose, also was the diuretic Furosemide or Eplerenone oh and what was the dose of Bisoprolol ? My understanding of Statins is that they don't clear out arteries they just prevent more gunge building up !! Don't get me wrong , but could Anxiety have been the cause of your High BP ? or even White Coat Syndrone. I am trying to understand the Why's of your faith in the WFPB diet. Believe me I would love to be rid of my Daily Dolly Mixtures. I have had CABG and also Stents now with HF with a reduced EF.

I am thinking how much it would save the NHS if it could prevent CABGs and Stents oh and how many Surgeons/Radiographers/etc it would release to work on other things.

regards

[BusaMags in reply to Prada47]

Morning Prada. My daughter is trying to convert me to a plant base diet only. My argument is If this diet is so good why are the dietitian's and cardiologist not recommending it. Plus how can it remove the gunge when nothing else can? The NHS are in crisis so if there is away of saving money the first thing I would think they would do is research it. I'm not saying it's bad to stick to any health diet but there are many of us suffering that eat healthy but still end up with heart and other health problems so I'm very sceptical as you are.

[jimmyq in reply to Prada47]

A cardiologist at our local hospital put me on Clopidogrel (75mg) after I had a mini-stroke last Christmas. Coincidentally, I discussed it with my doctor yesterday, she wants me to stay on them. The diuretic was Indapamide. Bisoprolol dose was originally 5mg but now down to 1.25mg due to my progress. I agree, anxiety could have been ONE cause of high BP, I had a stressful job for 30+ years. I believe it was mostly the blocked arteries. I have had 4 CABGs in 1997. In January this year, we found that my left carotid artery was blocked.

I do have White Coat Syndrome but I also have my own monitor. It has been tested against my doctor's Sphygmomanometer to see if it is accurate. I check my BP most days.

The whys are:

BP down from 194/90 at Christmas to an average 120/70 now. At one point in 2016 it was 240/140 that's when I was put on the statin and diuretic.

Cholesterol down from 6.5 to 3.7 yesterday. It has been as low as 2.7. I don't understand this increase but it is within the safe zone so not worried.

Weight down from 95kg to 80kg. The same as I weighed in my 30s. I am 62.

I feel much healthier too.

[jimmyq in reply to Prada47]

Also, if you read all the info about the WFPB diet it states that it can clear out the arteries. Here is 1 website: nutritionfacts.org/

[BusaMags in reply to jimmyq]

Hi Jimmy. I'm still not convinced even after watching the video. I eat loads of berries daily and eat nuts if I want a snack. This has not changed anything. Also the say in the video Maybe all the way throughout. Also i looked down on the non highlighted part of the pages again only Maybe. Yet dietitians will tell you that if you eat a healthy balance diet including meat will help with your colesteral and blood pressure. I'm not saying plant base is wrong and we shouldn't try this diet. If it's what works for you as it does my daughter I'm pleased for you. But I am still not convinced yet.

[jimmyq in reply to BusaMags]

I believe that the medical profession do not advocate a WFPB diet partly for legal reasons, i.e. the meat, milk, cheese, egg marketing bodies would have a fit. Perhaps they are waiting for someone to run clinical trials, I don't know. Who would pay for those trials? The govt. could but they won't because the meat, milk, cheese, egg marketing bodies would have a fit. We are stuck.

I never ate much meat, I have been vegetarian for most of my life. I gave up milk to sort out sinusitis after having it for a full year. It worked. I only got sinusitis after that when I caught viruses. I think that it was the cheese, butter and eggs that blocked my arteries. I have no scientific proof of this, just the fact that I ate them while not eating much meat and only having milk in brews.

I wonder if I will get sinusitis this winter, now I am off the dairy stuff altogether. Watch this space!

I do understand that a WFPB diet would not suit everyone but I recommend it to anyone I think it might help.

[BusaMags in reply to jimmyq]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. That your sinuses stay clear this winter. I'm a believer that the weather plays a big part in our health. I hate winter as my Arthritis plays hell with me and i get more pain in my Jaw when i have to go out walk in the cold. I do understand where your coming from though. You take care. I dare say we will chat again it's good to hear other people's thoughts ideas and experience. X

[jimmyq in reply to BusaMags]

My wife thinks I have SAD in winter. I am just a miserable bugger all year round.

[BusaMags in reply to jimmyq]

I'm sure your not. I also think mine may have it to. His mood starts to dip about now and don't life until the lighter nights come back. Have you tried a sun lamp that may help. X

[jimmyq in reply to BusaMags]

I haven't tried a sun lamp. I get out every day but then I always have. I need more alcohol. That would fix it.