Micro vascular angina

[jollyness]

Hi had Micro vascular angina for 3 years now but recently it’s got worse. Waiting for more tests but finding I’m so tired. Don’t know anyone else who has this. Would love to get more fit but it’s hard when the pain kicks in. I’m also finding I’m much more breathless now.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Jollyness,

I am sorry to read you are struggling with Microvascular angina.

There quite a few of us here.

I live with Vasospastic angina causing Microvascular angina and Coronary artery spasms. I was diagnosed over 6 years ago.

It is a challenging condition and like others the cold weather makes my symptoms much worse. Emotional and mental stress are other triggers.

My symptoms vary but are always much worse during the winter. I have learned to pace myself but I recognise your tiredness and breathlessness. I now know I have to rest much more. I am very tired at the moment too as my pain levels have increased.

Have you got a good relationship with your Cardiologist?

I have worked with mine over the years to find the best combination of medication that works best for me.

I also have a written Admission Plan to help the staff look after me when I go into hospital.

I will slowly built up my exercise capacity once the warmer weather comes.

I worked with my physiotherapist to make an individual plan for me because I couldn't manage the standard Cardiac Rehab programme. It has been very slow progress but I have been able to do more exercise. I could only swim for 10 minutes 4 years ago now I can swim for an hour.

I wear a wetsuit so I don't get cold.

During the summer I felt so well I was able to walk up Mam Tor in the Peak District....very slowly.

Now I struggle to walk up a few flights of stairs.

I hope you are able to find the best way for you of living with Microvascular angina soon.

[Moonflower76]

I find MVD and spasm gets better and worse in clusters for me. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body and spend the day in bed if needs be to recharge your batteries. Does your GP understand your condition? I find mine hears women with chest pain and it goes over his head. I even downloaded stuff from BHF which he didn't read.

[jollyness in reply to Moonflower76]

Hi my GP is okay but I think this condition is not always understood and family members seem to think if you haven’t had a heart attack then you must be ok!

[Sunshinebrew]

I have micro vascular angina which was finally diagnosed last June. I have 3 stents in my left artery put in 2 years ago. However I continued to have breathlessness and chest pain and extreme tiredness after the stents and struggled to feel better. After 2 Visits to A & E where tests were done but results were inconclusive the cardiologists confirmed my continuing symptoms are likely due to micro vascular angina. I had suspected this myself after reading about this debilitating condition and recognising the symptoms in myself. I am now on nitrates twice a day the dose has been increased over the last 6 months from 20 to 60. I also have the spray and take a beta blocker, statins, and aspirin daily. It has taken me a long time but I am now feeling almost normal and am able to walk my dog every day, and do most things i want. I still need a lot of rest and have some breathlessness and occasional chest pain, and I am still learning to manage the condition. I have found this forum so helpful with advice and other stories and experiences from others in the same situation, it has been a comfort to me. I wish you well , maybe you should speak to GP perhaps a change in meds will help?

[bantam12]

I've had it for several years, apart from a beta blocker which I can't take I've never been offered any other help, I'm much worse now and possibly have 2nd degree heart block, as usual Cardio is taking to long to diagnose it 😕

[Healthyheart1 in reply to bantam12]

I hope your in touch with your doctor and cardio, your life in their hands eh. Keep well

[Susieque21]

Hallo, I am only just starting out on this new version of life as we know it and to be honest finding it all rather scary. I seem to have gone from what I considered a relatively fit person to having to stop hoovering this morning, sit down and basically been feeling c..p ever since. The pain isn’t excruciating but it is debilitating if that makes sense. Apologies been feeling a bit down today.

On the plus side, its helpful to find other people with similar symptoms and how they manage symptoms, as I don’t really understand any of it.

Thank you.

[Hidden]

I have the same condition. It took a long time for the doctors at my local hospital to take me seriously but I now try and manage it with drugs and a healthy (ish) lifestyle. My doctor has admitted they don't really understand the condition. I try to keep fit but I agree it's not easy. Little and often seems to be the best approach and Yoga. I'm not doing so well recently, getting really breathless again so may have to see the doctor again.