Angina diagnosis?

[45sue]

My husband was referred by his GP to the rapid assessment chest pain clinic after experiencing feelings of pressure in his chest usually on waking. He had an ECG last year when was diagnosed with a left lateral fascicular ( or hemi ) bloc but told it was not a significant condition ( have googled this but nothing on the BHF site so any info welcome). His symptoms have become more frequent & GP expected him to have another ECG & blood tests. Put on aspirin and given a GTN spray meanwhile. He has since had a telephone 'assessment' by a nurse who told him he can't have angina because the symptoms are not brought on by exertion & has referred him back to his GP. Apart from the fact that this is not an adequate assessment, I know this is not true of all kinds of angina since I have the unstable sort which is not brought on by exertion. He is now waiting to speak to his GP. Any thoughts on next steps?

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi 45sue

Have you considered contacting The Patient Advisory and Liaison Service ( PALS) to raise your concerns that the nurse has not made a full assessment?

Chest pain and other angina symptoms at rest do need assessing properly.

Chest pain at rest as you say can be due to unstable angina also microvascular and or vasospastic angina.

The BHF has this information about angina

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I hope your husband is able to get a full assessment soon

[mrpetethomas]

hello I have the exact symptoms your husband has been exhibiting (my father had them as well does he have any family history?) and I have been diagnosed with unstable angina. A CT Angiogram has indicated minor blockage and my consultant wants to do a Angioplasty to establish whether it's the blockage or a spasm (these are the 2 causes of unstable Angina). My symptoms came on about 8 weeks ago and are now managed by GTN, aspirin and the thing that made a big difference Beta Blockers.

Exercise including mountain biking and hill walking has absolutely no affect sounds to me that the 'nurse' got it wrong.

[Ianc2]

GP's are there to consider your symptoms, give you advice and medication or shunt you off to see the the nearest specialist. As the NHS is under a great deal of pressure consider seeing a cardiologist privately to get a more informed assessment that you can then take back into the NHS system and join the relevant waiting list, etc. Should cost you somewhere in the region of £150 - £200.

[Beverley25]

I have unstable angina and can wake overnight gasping for breathe but also on exertion the same can happen.