Undiagnosed angina

[Flowers9]

Has anyone had a normal ecg and troponin levels but then had a ct angiogram which has revealed blocked arteries. Concerned as having all the symptoms of angina but Drs not diagnosed it yet due to negative ecg and blood test.

[bantam12]

Many of us struggle with getting a diagnosis for our symptoms, it's a problem and we just have to be persistent, I'm finally getting somewhere after refusing to go away and live with it !

[Flowers9 in reply to bantam12]

Yes I've just been told to ignore my chest pain it will resolve. To stop taking gtn although having central chest pain radiating to throat, shoulder, arm and very breathless around house and walking. Lips going slightly blue now when breathless. GP keeps sending me to a&E the cardiologist sends me out. I'm having ct angiogram on Thursday as had slight st depression on ecg but they now not worried at all and said your angiogram will be negative no need for follow up as not cardiac.

[bantam12 in reply to Flowers9]

Sounds typical 😡 how about a different Cardiologist ? I was seeing one who kept dismissing me with a pat on the head attitude ! I changed to another one and he's much better and is actually trying to help.

[Flowers9 in reply to bantam12]

Think I will ask for a second opinion but will wait and see what Thursday ct scan brings

[bantam12 in reply to Flowers9]

A second or even a third pair of eyes can make all the difference, good luck !

[Alessa69 in reply to Flowers9]

Read the article about Coronary Artery spasm , or Vasospastic Angina in Heart Matters, this months BHF Magazine. Also read articles on MVA, think that there are probably many others here on this forum who have been through this whole scenario. After 20 years of seeing the same Cardiologist, ( think that he always thought that he thought that was making it up....) he was somewhat surprised when he discovered during EP studies for SVT that I had PAF. Great to finally have some idea what’s going on! Good Luck, be persistent , you need to be your own Advocate sometimes

[Flowers9 in reply to Alessa69]

Its such a shame that there a battle to het a proper diagnosis. Sorry you had to go through this. I did a brisk walk today as my daughter was chasing me. My chest was so tight, felt my heart pounding and I was so out of breath it was ridiculous. X

[Lmr83 in reply to Flowers9]

This is just like me!

[Vic18]

Yes, I experienced 'atypical chest pain' which was relieved by GTN but a constant everyday matter on slight exertion. The blockage only showed up on the CT angiogram. My ECG's were always fine. I became ill between Christmas and New Year 2017. I had a very slight raised troponin level at that time which was deemed insignificant. Had stents fitted for a total blockage in my right coronary artery in October 2018. It's definitely worth persevering with, to determine the cause of your chest pain. Whatever that may turn out to be. Cardiac or not, they need to find the cause to get you on the right course of treatment.

[Urssy in reply to Vic18]

My story is very similar to yours.

Basically had a Atypical angina attack 2 weeks ago that saw me in a and e and onoff pain for most of the day which GNT spray worked for.

Spent 3 days in hospital.

Throughout the year I had clear ecgs, clear echos, clear heart xray etc.

It was the ct scan (which i only got because I said i can't go on with angina pain every time a walk! And reluctantly the cardiologist said ok)

It showed a 50% blockage of the LAD.

Now down for a angiogram poss stent in June.

I can't even walk for 4 minutes with out my heart rate going up to 160..(normally 65) and heart palpitations.

Pretty fed up.

I'm 48.

Hoping the angiogram sorts out the problem.

[Vic18 in reply to Urssy]

It sounds positive about the angiogram in June and if a stent is required they will do that. In the meantime, various medications can help reduce symptoms to a degree. Have they been looking into that? I had to remind my GP to monitor my medication and support me with increasing them. I found that soon after the stents were fitted, my use of the GTN spray dramatically decreased to just a bare minimal. Before that it was multiple times a day unless I sat doing nothing at all. I get where you are coming from, going through various tests and feeling fed up going through the mill with the ongoing pain.

When 'it' happened I thought quite literally at the time that 'this is it'. I had lived a week on my sofa, unable to eat, any slight movement had me feeling so ill. I did not stay in hospital for longer than overnight, by morning they told me it was probably an infection, go home and I will be fine. Thankfully they gave me statins, aspirin, GTN etc. I returned home, could barely walk. For a month I lived on the sofa and did not complain, did not return to hospital. Gradually the GP started to order tests. At one point there was consideration whether I required gallbladder surgery...I wasn't convinced that gallstones would make me feel so ill simply by walking outside my front door...so I asked about checking out my heart. Eventually they did and then I had stents at the end of October 2018. I wish that I pushed harder for myself, to keep on saying that something was wrong and get treatment sooner maybe, but at least I didn't lose any bodily organs during the elimination process If I didn't question, it would likely have taken longer. So I will definitely use my voice going forwards. I was 39 years old at the time it all started. It was a total blockage, but I had the collateral arteries supporting me a bit. Hurrah to the little collaterals. I was quite impressed with them.

Lots of luck with your journey through to your angiogram and treatment.

[Urssy in reply to Vic18]

Thank you. So much useful information there.

Just been on asprin beta blockers etc...for a couple of weeks. So maybe they will help me.

Just hate thsi feeling of worrying when I walk any where.

So ....demoralizing.

[Lmr83 in reply to Urssy]

I’m struggling to get anywhere in regards to a diagnosis! Similar to you chest pains, shorteness of breath, lips will turn blue and I suffer with fatigue! Gp sends me to a&e cardiologist just say all tests are clear! Today I had a stress ecg and within 6 mins I was close to passing out, breathless and chest pain!

[Flowers9 in reply to Vic18]

Hi Vic18 how quickly did you get the results from the ct angiogram? Mine is on Thursday. Sorry to fear you to didn't not receive the right treatment quick enough. It's scary to read all about these malpractice. X

[Vic18 in reply to Flowers9]

It didn't take very long to get the results from what I recall. I then had the wait until the angiogram with the stenting. I think I did ask them about how long it would be to know the results. I did adapt my lifestyle choices whilst waiting and learn how to manage symptoms.

[Flowers9 in reply to Vic18]

Glad that they eventually found the cause of your chest pain. what a journey for you and so frustrating.. It's such a long drawn out process. I've been told to ignore my chest pain and it will all just resolve!!!! I will not be doing that x

[Vic18 in reply to Flowers9]

Good. We have to keep persevering to get the right diagnosis to get the right treatment. If ignoring it is an actual valid option to take then it needs to be proven why this is so. Not just suggested. But, anxiety will make the pains far worse, so keeping calm as you can is a good move I discovered. And to not focus on it intently. I'd use the spray, breathe, carry on with what I was doing when it steadied up. Even though there was a debate on whether it was indigestion. It needs to be known for sure.

[Flowers9 in reply to Vic18]

Thank you. Yes that's good advice. I'll try and not worry so much, hard but will try.

[elliebath in reply to Flowers9]

I had a CT angiogram 29 March and am still waiting , was told results in 3 wks . But I guess each hospital has different waiting times. The radiographer wouldn't give me any clues on the day, has to go through the cardio consultant.

[Flowers9 in reply to elliebath]

Thank u for letting me know. Mine been only a week so have to just wait xxx

[elliebath in reply to Flowers9]

Try not to worry . In past 18 months I've had two clear ECGs , good blood tests and first angiogram showed no calcification and I was sent away as "all clear ".

However I still get angina pain and breathlessness , hence the second angiogram .

So just to prepare you, your angiogram may not necessarily show any blockage at all .

[benjijen]

For 2 years I was told by my Rheumatologist that the pain I was experiencing in my jaw, throat and back was to do with the arthritis. I ended up being taken in by ambulance and taken a bit more seriously. I had angiogram and 2 stents fitted (I was told it needed 3 and it's never been explained why only 2 were carried out!). All the time my ECG has been fine as have blood tests and perfusion scans! I have unstable angina so it only comes on at rest, usually during the night. I still get it but not as often and it doesn't scare me as much now but I carry my GTN spray everywhere. My point is, if you're not happy keep questioning your GP!

[Flowers9 in reply to benjijen]

Im loosing faith in these drs at the moment. Sorry to hear you were wrongly diagnosed. I think it's happening ALOT. Glad you are better now but defo music to find out about that 3rd stent. Best of luck. X

[Plumbtorre]

Yes . I was told by one specialist after an ecg and ultrasound that my heart was good for a man of my age ( 64 ) . Within 3 months and with a different specialist after an angiography that a triple by pass and replacement mitral valve was needed. Keep going and don't give in until your sorted out

[Flowers9 in reply to Plumbtorre]

That's so bad. So lucky you saw a different Dr. Hope you are ok now. X

[Plumbtorre in reply to Flowers9]

I got fed up of the UK system messing me about for 4 months with no progress . My wife is Spanish and I am a member of the Spanish health system so we came home and diagnoses etc was within 3 weeks

[Plumbtorre in reply to Plumbtorre]

And yes I am good now thanks

[Flowers9 in reply to Plumbtorre]

So glad u managed to get diagnosed but so bad nhs let u down. Seems its very common looking at the repliesl to my thread x

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

My brother in law aged 46 had an treadmill test, ECGs bloods, all normal.

Given the all clear by a leading Cardiology Professor.

A few months later he had an out of hospital cardiac arrest, heart attack and now has 5 stents.

He is still with us thanks to a member of the public who saw him collapse and started CPR and called the ambulance.

You know your body best and keep advocating for yourself. Doctors sometimes need to update their knowledge and listen well to their patients.

[Flowers9 in reply to Milkfairy]

So sorry to gear this. How terrible for you all. What's wrong with these doctors? And a Professor how did he get to that position? scary. With medicine you can never behave like you know it all, thats a very dangerous practice. Unfortunately many are over confident and make quick brash dangerous wrong assumptions because of overflated egos. Unfortunately, it's the patients that suffer. It's luck of the draw if you get a good one. I hope your brother in law if ok now.

[Flowers9]

Thank you everyone for replying so appreciated. I will keep going to find out what is causing it. Hopefully will get some answers Thursday. Thank you for all your support. X

[Urssy]

I definitely think just keep pushing if you dont feel okay.

You know your body.

I always find my cardiologist appointments feel rushed.

With long gaps inbetween and GP useless.

Hoping you get some answers...always seems to take a long time.

But don't give up. X

[Flowers9 in reply to Urssy]

Thank you. I will keep going. I'm still very upset with how the Dr spoke to me. I will be taking it further i think. It amazes me why they chose such a professional they are damn right rude and uncaring. X

[Deanosbeano]

I wasn't diagnosed until after the stress test in nuclear medicine.

[Flowers9 in reply to Deanosbeano]

hi thanx 4 your reply. Was your ecg "normal" and troponin levels neg too?

[Deanosbeano in reply to Flowers9]

I think ECG showed a concern , ischemic or something at the Cardio Clinic so they decided no treadmill and do perfusion ,stress and at rest (after this I got GNT and aspirin etc ) and that prompted angiogram which diagnosed blockages.

[Flowers9 in reply to Deanosbeano]

Thank you. I was told I had st depression which showed ischemic changes but now they saying it ok. When I first went to A&E after 3 hr wait roo see a dr when they saw my ecg they quickly gave me clopidigrel aspirin and gtn and admitted to MAUy as second ecg done an showed further changes but as bedside echo and troponin neg they discharged me at 10pm. My discharge letter said ?coronary artery disease and now been told it's not cardiac and even told to ignore my chest pain it will just resolve! Very frustrated!

[Deanosbeano in reply to Flowers9]

Chest pain is very worrying especially as you have obviously had it suggested you may have had a problem.

Angina for me was more of a stomach pain , chest pain was actually my indegestion which went when I stopped eating after 6 pm and took ranitidine.

I hope you get clarification soon , if you don't take a trip to Blackpool and walk into the Victoria hospital with Chest pains , they are miracle workers in there and will tell you if you have angina or not

[Flowers9 in reply to Deanosbeano]

Thank you may have to at this rate lol

[Flowers9]

Had ct angiogram this am initial results from radiographer no major need for urgent treatment but the full report will go to cardiologist. Apparently if they see anything that needs attention and urgent care they send u straight up to coronary care. I was chatting to the cardiac nurse and she mentioned about the arteries going into spasm. I said I been told previously to just ignore it she advised no defo not, carry gtn always and call ambulance still. So pleased and very relieveed it looks like I got no major blockage.

[Purpled in reply to Flowers9]

How did you find the scan I have to go for one next Friday.

[Urssy in reply to Flowers9]

Brilliant you are getting somewhere.

[BusaMags]

I have had an angiogram and cardiogram both come back clear. I still have all the symptoms. Breathlessness, pain in jaw, tightness in chest when I'm mobile. Cough every morning (last 3 months) pulpitations and some times a stabbing pain that only last for seconds. GP has brushed it off claims as my cardiologist did all the tests and feels my heart is ok then nothing for me to worry about. I also now have sleep apnea. My husband and I are still convinced that as my cardiologist said after angiogram it looks as if it maybe my smaller veins that can't be tested. I have not had a exercise test even though that's when I'm at my worse, with jaw pain breathlessness and tight chest Pulse 200. I'm not going to both anymore until something happens then I will kick there arses (so to speak) they even stopped my medication as I didn't believe it made any difference it was the lowest dose.

[Flowers9 in reply to BusaMags]

So sorry to hear this is sooo frustrating. Maybe speak to british heart foundation cardiac nurses for some advice they are great. They defo should rule out microvascular angina. I think that's what mine could be too, having same struggles as you.

[Purpled in reply to Flowers9]

Got to go for my ct angiogram next week any tips? Does the contrast make you feel ill after.

[Flowers9 in reply to Purpled]

Hi it was fine. No I'll effects. Just drink lots of water after to flush it out. Remember not to drink any caffeine before as you need to have a nice slow heart rate. It was fine. No need to worry. It's very quick.

[Purpled in reply to Flowers9]

Thanks, got to take beta blockers the day before so heart rAte should be slow.

[BusaMags in reply to Flowers9]

Hope you get it all sorted out xx

[Flowers9]

Yes, it's a real shame. How r u at the mo, still getting pains?

[Flowers9]

Had my angiogram results my arteries are clear! Very pleased!!. Still getting pain though. Xxxx

[Flowers9]

Just seen Senior Cardiac Registra here in UK. As my ct angiogram was clear and echo good when I asked him if my chest pain could be Coronary Spasm he said it could well be. My risk factors Raynauds, multiple auto immune diseases and ?autonomic dysfunction. He said there is no clear diagnostic tool we have to go on symptoms and he prescribed me Dilliazem (Adizem) 120md once a day and Isosorbide Mononitrate 30mg m/r once daily and see if helps control my chest pain. I have been a lot better lately as I find the cold weather is my major trigger so said could I see how I am in summer and start in Autumn when gets colder or sooner if I have another flare up. Any thought on what Dr has said and what I should do? Many thanks xxxx