Cramp in left calf?: Query! Not been... - British Heart Fou...

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Cramp in left calf?

Rob6868 profile image
28 Replies

Query!

Not been feeling too good with my angina over last few days! Had some heavy days at work lately since leaving hospital so I know that hasn't helped.But I've been getting the usual stabbing angina back pain over the back shoulder blades..But what's concerning me a tad is my left calf..Keep getting painful stabbing dull intermittent pain down calf...only my left calf? On and off over last 3 days and often every 10 or 20mins..Just wondering if this could be angina relates? I do suffer from two herniated discs that causes me severe sciatic pain down left side and into calf and foot..3 times I've been due to have an op and 3times it's been cancelled as my heart issues have taken precedence knowadays. The issue I have is that when I was often hospitalised through sciatica it's would be all my leg back buttoks and foot with calf..

But this is just calf and I have no sciatica at present time..so just asking if this could be angina related?

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Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868
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28 Replies
Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868

Thanks mate..Hope all is well with you.Got your angiogram yourself soon haven't you? My leg cramp won't be related to angiogram I had...I'm thinking more along the bloody lines of Angina again..Really not happy AGAIN with cardiologist. After everything I said to him and off Milkfairys recommendations regarding what specialist to NOT SEE My cardiologist has written to the one cardiologist I DON'T WANT TO SEE...UNBELIEVABLE. So now got to email him again

Jils profile image
Jils

Hi

I am awaiting a vascular consultant appointment as I find walking a huge problem due to tight calf muscles. I recently had what I thought was a mild heart attack but GP says it's angina. Apparently what I have in my legs is angina of the legs. ..same as the heart...but unrelated. So maybe best to get it checked?

Speakeazi profile image
Speakeazi in reply to Jils

Could be something called Intermittent Claudication which is a symptom of Peripheral Artery Disease. Take a look at circulationfoundation.org.u...

If the symptoms seem to fit, you could have lots of questions ready just in case. Let us know

Speakeazi profile image
Speakeazi in reply to Jils

And Yes. Get it checked- really important even if it feels less like it’s not that important.

Healthyheart1 profile image
Healthyheart1

Not that I am an expert but it doesn't sound like sciatica. Maybe ask the bhf nurses for help with this one.

JonathanH profile image
JonathanH

Rob, you are going through the mill. I can't say what is causing your pain but I can say that I have suffered various pains that seem to me to be MVA-associated, especially going down into my left leg. The pain I experience tend to be continuous rather than stabbing, though.

Unless I am imagining it, I have read at least suggestions that MVA may be associated with wider microvascular dysfunction.

So, I don't think it's impossible that microvascular dysfunction is responsible for your pain but I also think it very possible that microvascular dysfunction is not responsible!

So sorry for your further trials.

Jonathan

I have known a middle age builder and a plasterer, who retired after CVD ops. It's just no longer suitable. Oddly enough, their wives left them. Couldn't bear seeing them "changed" so much. I get those stabbing pains. It's the neuropathy. I also get burning sensation, sharp jabbing pain and feeling as if water running down my leg. Not quite sure if it's Cardiac, though. Could be the medication side effects.

TriciaGreg profile image
TriciaGreg

I get that but the whole of both legs. It’s normally just calf thou with most cases. Check out peripheral artery disease.

ronnyharry profile image
ronnyharry

Try eating one decent sized bana

ronnyharry profile image
ronnyharry

try eating one decent sized banana every day

Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868 in reply to ronnyharry

lol

I eat a banana a day so I'm definitely getting my potassium

Hi Not sure what medication you are in but I have trouble with cramp in calf's and legs in general, I am in lots of tablets beta blockers, nitrates ect my doctor said it's the tablets. Also am finding as am new to this angina lark, that I can have a really good day where I feel normal and then pain in shoulder neck ect and feel horrible. Am not doing well with coping with this and feel life is a swine but I know others having tougher time. I have two broken vertebrae in spine so do understand your pain and sciatica is horrible. Best wishes Cate

Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868 in reply to

Could be the nitrates bearing in mind I've only been on them for about a month or so.

in reply to Rob6868

Could be stations but I am in low dose, it's a minefield when you are on different medications. I am waiting for my appointment at Peterborough cardiac unit to see if can get any answers. I have been on tablets for 3 weeks and am getting calf cramps ect and pains in legs, so will ask if it's the medication. Good luck

in reply to

Sorry that should say statins my phone switches to various odd words when it feels like it.

Deanosbeano profile image
Deanosbeano

Angina and calf pain is one for the medical people they are serious signs that need to be checked to eliminate possiblity of serious condition.

I was always asked about calf pain but never had it . However I got the sense it was an indicator of something.

Rob6868 profile image
Rob6868 in reply to Deanosbeano

An indicator of something? well I already have heart disease and more than likely microvascular angina..So what else do you think I could possibly have? as if what I already have isn't enough 😀

Deanosbeano profile image
Deanosbeano in reply to Rob6868

I was asked when I had pains in my chest when breathing heavy if I had pains in my calf .

Ask a Dr about medical questions :)

Marco2764 profile image
Marco2764

Hi, just a thought, is the statins causing you the cramps? That's my first signs that I have had that either my statin or dose was not agreeing with me. What I do is knock of off the statins for a few days and monitor yourself. A few days without statin won't harm. Drink tonic water as it contains quinine or ask doctor for quinine tablets.

Kimkat profile image
Kimkat

I have heard that tonic water no longer contains quinine.

Skittler profile image
Skittler

I used to get this when I was on statins, they are known for causing cramp, also it can be caused by blood pressure meds, as they reduce the salt in your body and lack of salt can cause cramps.

CraftyGirl72 profile image
CraftyGirl72

I don't have angina or any of your issues but had an attack of my own heart issue again in Jan, put back on heart meds (Losartan I think) and had leg cramps throughout the 4 wks on them. Lots of bad side effects so now off again and no cramps...

Margah profile image
Margah in reply to CraftyGirl72

My GP phoned this afternoon. She wants me to go back on Losartan: a lower dose than before, 25 mg. She says she'll look into the muscle cramp in the thigh as a separate issue. Thinks as I've been off Losartan for a month maybe my muscle cramp isn't anything to do with the medication. However, blood test shows increased creatinine levels and that is implicated in muscle cramps.

I walk several times a week because I'm told it's good for heart but it's uncomfortable. Would be interested to hear if you are taking an alternative medication now.

Margah

CraftyGirl72 profile image
CraftyGirl72 in reply to Margah

No, last year I tried Enalapril, Ramipril then Bisoprolol/aspirin all having such serious side effects in me I was taken off them. Another attack of chest pains (I have stress related heart failure) end January had me put on tiny dose of Losartan to try lower my BP but I became so ill I couldn't function. I can barely stand up on meds and feeling so bad it in turn affects my mental health. Discussion with GP after suggested 5th drug ended with me saying "no" I'd rather feel well and take my chances. I am off them around 4 weeks and feel great, no cramps, side effects all gone so much so I'm back running. Attempting to lower BP naturally through diet/exercise/destressing and so far so good.

Margah profile image
Margah in reply to CraftyGirl72

Thanks for your reply. My BP is OK with medication. I'm told I need to take Ramipril or Losartan to keep my new arteries healthy. The heart failure nurse was very annoyed when I stopped taking the Losartan and gave me an ultimatum: do we at Cardiology look after your heart or does your GP!

Glad you are doing so well.

Margah

Margah profile image
Margah

I was on Ramipril and after a week I had bad cramp in my left thigh. Changed to Losartan and still have the cramp but not when I'm resting. Seems to start when I put pressure on the leg. So when standing still the pain starts. Touching my toes gives some relief but so embarrassing in Tescos! Blood test results show increased creatinine levels which I've read can be a sign of muscle damage. I can take a walk but with discomfort. I've had four sessions with a physio who says she is baffled. I want my GP to refer me for further investigation but to who? I had AVR and 3×CABG 8 months ago and now I'm slowed down by my leg!

Good luck Rob

Margah

Avarae profile image
Avarae

I had pain in left calf a wile back and doc told me it was my statins giving me muscle spasms and it does go away..

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

I think you should ask for a Doppler test to see if you have a circulation problem in the leg(s). The main arteries subject to narrowing are the major pulsating ones like the cardiac, femoral and cartoid arteries. As you have angina there is a possibility that PAD is the issue. A narrowing in the femoral artery can affect blood flow to the calf and cause cramp.

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