Suspected Angina

[ML44]

Hi everyone,

I’m writing on behalf of my mum who is under investigation for angina. She has had two strokes in the last 18months (suspected to be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain) and also has an under active thyroid. She currently takes thyroxine, statins, aspirin and clopydogrul.

She is currently undergoing investigation for Angina due to pain in her back, predominantly over her left shoulder blade upon mild exertion such as cooking, cleaning and walking. when looking at her back, the left shoulder blade and below to the waist seems to be swollen and she feels this becomes more swollen when the pain is present.

She is awaiting a diagnosis but has been advised to take medication in the interim; she refused the first prescription because the tablets (We can’t recall the name) redirect oxygen to the heart when her strokes where as a result of her having lack of oxygen to the brain. She has now been told to take Ronolazine but is concerned about taking tablets without a diagnosis and is wondering if her symptoms (particularly the swollen back) is in fact a synonymous with angina.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

With thanks x

[Hidden]

Hi Elmo218

Your post was a while ago, so I hope the issue since resolved. But in case not....

I recently had horrid pain in my back & shoulder & neck. My GP thought it might be angina. However, other symptoms (below & doc hearing “rub” noise in chest on breathing) prompted me to speak to cardio medics.

Does / did your mum have any shortness of breath &/or aches & pains in chest on breathing? Does she feel uncomfortable in some positions eg lying flat on her back, but no others, eg sitting up?

Shoulder & back pain can be “referred” pain from the heart, I believe. In my case, with above symptoms as well, it turned out to be pericarditis.

This is where something (often unknown) triggers an inflammatory response in the body including near the heart (maybe a virus or infection, eg in chest). As a result fluid builds up in the sac around the heart. This puts pressure on the heart as it beats. But it is not much understood & I guess medics might miss it if they’ve never seen it before.

Let us know if your situation is still active in case more replies would help.