Cardiac syndrome X

[Cenn]

After many test I have now been diagnosed with Micro vascular desease and aortic stenosis which is moderate. For years now I cannot walk out without having to use my GTN spray. Hills are my major problem whereby I have to make regular stops. Luckily I live in a ground floor flat which has a u shaped corridor which I walk back & forth each morning ( 2 miles) boring and go to Health heart keep fit 4 times per week. I eat healthy diet and even grown a bunny tail. Alcohol is a no no but non alcoholic is a good substitute when at social events. One thing I am very thankful of is that I have not up now had a heart attack . I would be gratefull to hear from any members who have experienced this condition. There is a good article in this month's Heart Matters page 42 What is coronary artery spasm which I found very interesting .

Cenn

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Cenn

Microvascular angina is the term now used to describe CSX. The BHF adopted the term in 2017 at the request of patients.

The BHF updated their information about MVA accordingly. The information leaflet below was written with input from Prof Colin Berry and an expert by experience patient advisor.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I hope this helps. There are quite a few of us around living with MVA or vasospastic angina ( VSA) / Coronary artery spasms or in my case both.

Both MVA and VSA are complex poorly recognised and understood conditions.

It is good to hear that you have a diagnosis. Many people struggle to have their MVA or VSA recognised and receive the appropriate treatment.

It is important to be able to have a Cardiologist who is willing to work with you to find the best combination of drugs that will work best for you.

[Cenn in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milk fairy. Thank you for your reply. I am now under a new cardiac doctor who has changed my medication. Although I am already on Aspirin. Isosorbide mononitrate. Simvastatin. Tilidiem he also introduced me to Ranolazine 500g last week that is to be increased to 750g. I took a small walk about 1/4 mile to pick up food for my cat. Twice I had to stop and use my GTN spray. Ok so it was unhill but even coming back my angina played up. All tests have picked up nothing except the Aortic stenosis. It gets damn frustrating as which I am sure you must feel too. I understand that they are trying to find out more about the condition I certainly look forward to any new discoveries. I apologise for my tale of woes.

Regards Cenn

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Cenn]

Cenn absolutely no need to apologise.

Living with MVA and VSA is challenging!

Me and my spasms have been together for quite sometime. I have had the same Cardiologist for 7 years.

We have over the years tried lots of different medications so having a Cardiologist who has recognised your the condition and is trying to treat it better is great to hear.

There is research going on.

mdedge.com/chestphysician/a...

bhf.org.uk/research-project...

Are you been seen by a Cardiologist who has some knowledge of Vasospastic and Microvascular angina?

[Cenn in reply to Milkfairy]

Milkfairy thank you very much for your reply. When I have time I will look at those follow ups. Personally I think I had MVA since about 2003 as we HD a small holding with sheep and often got out of breath then but only a mild chest pain which I thought was lung problem. A couple of years later we moved to France and it was there my doctor did put me on Amlodipine and sent me for a few tests. It was only when we returned and having changed new surgery that a young lady doctor diagnosed that I had a murmur. From there eventually I had a stent fitted. But still I had angina which after more tests they eventually carried out a angiogram telling me afterwards that all main arteries clear but could do nothing for the small ones. Six months ago they switched me to a new hospital whereby I have had a Echocardigram and a not her profusion test at Southampton hospital . The results my new cardiac doctor said only revealed that the Aortic valve was moderate and could continue to stable angina.

So he has booked me for a Echocardigram in July and thereafter every 6 month's. At long last I feel there is at least some response to my condition.

Last summer we were staying in Cornwall and on visiting a beautiful cove and beach we parked the car at the top of this steep hill. Down near the beach was a café and we bought a double ice cream cornet. On walking back up the hill my wife was worried about my angina but hey-ho not even a swinge. I spoke to my doctor Paul Daniels ( not the magician) who had a answer for the event .A nerve runs up from the heart to the brain and the coldest fom the icecream kinda numbed this nerve hence the brain didn't get the message. Haven't tried it since but I do like icecream !!!

Cenn