Angina post CABG

[r1chBr]

So, following a CABG 3.5 years ago to resolve a blocked Circumflex, I still seemed to have angina afterwards.

I was recently directed back to the Chest Clinic at the local hospital as I felt like my angina had become more frequent.

I saw a Cardiologist who, having looked at my history and the resting ECG results, said that he couldn't see anything out of the ordinary and that all my other main arteries had all shown as clear when they last did an Angiogram (4 years ago).

He suggested that "pain, or perceived pain" could be difficult to determine especially because everything looked normal and that any intervention could pose risks and the decision would be based on risk Vs return (which I get!)

Anyway, he decided to refer me for a treadmill ECG but said that if that showed up as normal, he wouldn't do anything.

So, here's my question, is it possible to have angina even though the main arteries all look clear? I thought that the onset of heart disease would cause blockages in the smaller blood vessels but the Cardiologist doesn't seem to suggest so?

Any thoughts appreciated??

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi r1ch8r

It is certainly possible to have angina with clear coronary arteries.

I live with coronary vasospastic angina, I have vasospasms in my microvessels- microvascular angina and my coronary arteries.

It is poorly understood and recognised condition. However there is a growing awareness that microvascular dysfunction causing microvascular angina can occur following stents or CABG.

You may find this BHF Heart Matters Magazine interesting.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[jerry12953]

I have angina and all the tests I have had are clear, or at least no significant blockages. Thanks to MilkFairy, I think, I saw some research which said that 39% of angina sufferers show no sign of blocked arteries...