I am new here. I have Angina. All new meds and spray. Waiting for dye test. I was fit healthy and working full time. Just had my 60th birthday. Totally overwhelmed. Spent a day in Hosp getting tests after chest and shoulder pain. Looking for support or advice please.
New to Angina: I am new here. I have... - British Heart Fou...
New to Angina
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IsabellaHill50
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Kristin1812Heart Star
It’s a very hard time when you just get the news you have heart problems. Believe me you will gradually begin to feel better ...... there’s lots to come to terms with.
Remember the forum is here to help you.....with chat, or information (the BHF nurses are very knowledgable and helpful), and the experience of other members can be very helpful. I know it was for me.
Thanks for the advise. Waiting for the dye test which sounds a bit scary. All my other tests were good but signs of Angina due to the dull ache I was having when walking fast and after a heavy meal. The spray does relieve symptoms. Can’t believe I was fit well, working full time and only on an occasional asthma inhaler at 60 then this happens. The side effects that can happen with the three new meds are alarming.
Hi Isabella, like you I was fit and healthy (I was 48 yr old) when I had the familiar burning chest, heavy, aching left arm (and in my case pain in the back)
Turned out I had angina which led to the dye test - angiogram - in the vast majority of cases it's not a long or particularly painful experience (but it's not the nicest - well in my case it wasn't. - but it turns out I'm a bit "odd"!!!)
As for the tablets, be mindful of the side effects, but, moreover, don't get hung up on them - we're all different and in the vast majority of cases, the side effects have little or no impact. I'm on at least 5 different types - blood thinners, beta blockers, nitrates, statins, BP......oh and the spray!!
One thing I would say is don't expect too much - being from a mathematical and engineering background I thought medicine was a science - turns out it's more like alchemy - "try it, have a go and see what happens" - can be a bit frustrating but.....
The single biggest thing is - learn to relax! Nothing is that important in life now apart from happiness, health, family and friends.... the little things in life are the big things...
Give it time to adjust, eventually life will get back to a new normal...
Thanks for advice. For the first time in my life I am not in control. Furious that after leading a healthy life style this can happen.
Hi Isabella.
On 15 Feb I had a heart attack. The cardiologist told me that in his 15 years he’d not seen a single person survive such a massive heart attack. I’m 66. Four stents and meds.
It’s not true that you aren’t “in control”.
Take control.
My cardiac rehab was cancelled before my first session due to the Coronavirus. I don’t have access to the hospital or GP, so I’ve taken control of my body and my health.
You can control what you eat, when you exercise, how much you exercise, taking of your meds. You’re in control of your weight. Tune in to your body and mind in order to get and stay healthy.
The BHF provide the most amazing resources which will allow you to take control. Be positive.
Henry
Good advice. Started meds a week ago. Did eat and live healthy before, however the lockdown I was overindulging as many are at the moment. Since last week I have been back to healthy eating. Until I get the dye test I feel nervous about what I should do physically. Before This I walked daily. During lockdown I was power walking and this was when my symptoms started. The control thing is about having to wait for the dye test and take new meds. It is the uncertainty of what are the reasons and what next. You are correct about keeping positive. I will try. Thanks
Hi Henry
How did you get on with your recovery and beginning to exercise without having cardiac rehabilitation? I had a Heart Attack 2 weeks ago and was wondering if I would be offered rehab due to the corona virus and wondered about doing exercises in the mean time
Ben
Hi Ben,
It was walking for me then gardening. Anything that raised my heart rate without any heavy lifting. I then found the rehab section on the BHF website. I’m probably well behind where I should be without access to gym they have at the cardiac rehab centre but I’m eating healthily and I’m never out of breath doing ordinary daily activity.
How are you feeling after two weeks?
Henry
Yeah I have been doing some small walks nearby to my house but I am just unsure of how much I should do without speaking to someone. I am just nervous of overdoing it. I actually feel quite well in myself now but don’t want to do anything too over exerting that could damage my recovery
I think you’ll know if you’re overdoing it, but we are bit on our own.
I had a heart attack aged 64 after several decades of a "heart-healthy" lifestyle. There was nothing I could change about my lifestyle so felt totally out of control and very anxious for several months. However the feeling of control comes back and the anxiety lessens. I went from no medication to eight lots and hated them whilst feeling very grateful for them ,so it's a confusing emotional experience. You will feel better-give it time. This forum is brilliant for support and advice.
Hi Isabella, Your story and your reaction to it sounds similar to my own. I know being diagnosed with angina is very scary and frustrating (how dare my body let me down?!), and it does take a while to get used to the meds and their side-effects, but I found the latter have reduced over time. During the diagnosis and treatment period, I used to tell myself (sometimes through gritted teeth!), "You can come back from this" and 18 months after having 3 stents, I have, and feel so much better than before. I'm sure there are plenty of other people here who ended up on the bypass route that would say the same. What I thought was the natural slowing-down process of ageing was my poor old heart trying to push blood through a 90% blocked artery and the relief of having it cleared was immediate. It's a journey none of us would have asked for, but believe me, we are the lucky ones. We have been given a warning sign that something that can be relatively easily fixed is wrong; the unlucky ones aren't aware until they have a major heart attack. Good luck, take care of yourself and let us know how you're getting along. Valerie
Hi Valerie, thanks for all your advise. All the other tests I had at the hospital last week were good. However the dull ache when walking fast and after a meal is not ok. Due to the virus I may have to wait longer for the dye test. Just anxious. Once I know what is wrong I can then move on. Only side effects after a week are a slight tingle sensation in my ankles when I wake in the morning. It early days.
You're right, it's the waiting that makes you anxious and I really feel for you, getting diagnosed at this time. Like you, my angina came on when I walked fast, especially in cold weather, and after a meal, but the fact that all your other results were fine is a good sign. I hope you get sorted out soon, but in the meantime, do use your GTN spray when you need to, it really will help.
Hi Valerie, the spray does help. One puff seems to help. First week on meds and spray. Only side effects are a strange warm sensation in my ankle joints so I will keep an eye on this. Thanks for advice. Feel so much better since joining this group.
MichaelJHHeart Star
I replied to another post about angina and think you may find it of intetest:
Hello Isabella, Your experience is exactly the same as mine. 60th birthday in March, no health problems apart from Coeliac Disease, then one morning i wake up feeling as though i have an elephant sitting on my chest. Taken to hospital by ambulance, blood tests done, then told i have Coronary Artery Spasm. Left reeling to be honest. I am glad to have found this forum as the hospital haven't been that helpful and i haven't been able to see my GP because of the Corona Virus.
Hello Icon-writer28
I live with coronary vasospastic angina. I have spasms in my small vessels -microvascular angina and large vessels -coronary artery spasms.
It is a challenging condition to live with. Bewildering because it is so poorly understood and recognised by many Cardiologists, Cardiac nurses and GPs
Have you been given any medication to help prevent any further vasospasms?
It can be trial and error to find the best treatment that will work for you best . For this reason I suggest you ask for a follow up appointment with a Cardiologist
The BHF has this information about vasospastic angina the term now being used rather than coronary artery spasms
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Thanks for advice. I have been given Verapamil Hydrochloride 120. Clopidogrel Zentivia 75g, Simvastin statin 20mg and also the Nitrolingual spray to take when needed. All tests from Hosp were good. The dull ache was new and does need investigating further so waiting for dye test.
Did the Cardiologists explain to you why they have prescribed the medication yoh are taking to you?
One thing I do find is that after a really bad angina attack my heart feels bruised, achy and heavy.
The GTN spray can take some getting used too. I suggest you sit down when you first use it as it can drop your blood pressure making you feel sick and light headed.
Cardiologist said the meds are a preventative before I get the angiogram as it may take longer than usual due to the current situation. I have to take spray for relief when I need it, which has only been about once a day for my mild symptoms. Been out for two 30 min walks this week and ok however at a slower pace than normal.
I hope your wait isn't too long.
The wait is sometimes worse .
Hello Milkfairy,
Thanks for this. I am on low dose aspirin, a calcium-channel blocker, a statin and also have the spray to use as necessary. I do have a family history of heart disease but am not a smoker, don't have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, my BMI is 25 and I am trying to reduce that. I have in the past been very fit but I don't exercise much now apart from relaxation yoga. I have been told I need to have a special type of CT scan, but obviously I can't have that until after the current health crisis.
At the moment I am just trying to find out as much as I can about the condition and how best to manage it, so I am very grateful for your comments.
take care,
It is really good to see that your vasospastic angina has been recognised.
Awareness has certainly increased in the 8 years since my diagnosis.
There has also been a lot more research published in the last few years too.
If you need anymore information just ask. There are few members of the forum with either Microvascular and or vasospastic angina and they I am sure will share their experiences with you as well.
We are all different and seem to have our own individual version of the condition.
I also find yoga and Tai chi helpful too.🧘♀️
Hi Isabella
I can empathise with you and your symptoms.
I’ve always been fit and healthy, still doing triathlon at 60. Then HA and stents and now waiting for another set of stents.
The BHF nurses are brilliant and forum members a great bunch. You will always get an answer, so don’t suffer in silence- ask
Good luck
What is HA?
HA -Heart attack
MI - Myocardial Infarction is the medical term
There is a list of commonly used abbreviations somewhere as a pinned post
Thanks. Keep well
Sorry- Heart attack 😁
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