Newbie

[Doodleowner]

Hi

I am waiting on a ct angiogram. I went to my GP due to the tightness I have been having in my chest. It’s almost like it’s hard to breathe and the pain travels round to my back. It sometimes feels like indigestion. I have had cancer treatment 12 years ago and I wonder if it’s affected my heart, I developed high blood pressure, and my cholesterol was 8.6. The specialist thought I had the “weaker genes” that cause high cholesterol. So since going to GP I had my atenolol increased, my statin was increased because my cholesterol was 7.6. I was put on aspirin. I had a telephone appointment with the nurse specialist and they started me on isosorbide mononitrate. My blood sugar is seemingly high but not enough to be diabetic.

I have 2 brothers who had heart attacks in their40s and my mum had hyperlipademia

I am getting the pain even at rest , the gtn doesn’t help much, I am not sure if I have angina , the doctor suspects it, am I burying my head in the sand? I am putting it down to stress/ indigestion etc etc

[Sensei_Mark]

Hi. I too have very high cholesterol. My pain is constant (unstable angina). I am hoping that the statins will decrease my cholesterol levels, but that, and the heart disease are in the family. Not sure exactly what the problem was with my grandmother, she died in her early 60's but my mother had chf and syndrome x. She passed at 56. Unfortunately, where I live at the moment, doctors don't want to take any responsibility, and many suggest that any treatment here is very risky.

I am currently waiting to see if my doctor will increase my dosage of pentaeritritil tetranitrate (vasodilator), as any relief I get only last a few hours.

I can relate to your feelings. Because the disease is 'unseen' , you feel like a fraud.

Keep at it my friend.

[Doodleowner in reply to Sensei_Mark]

Thanks for your reply, I know what you mean I don’t want to waste anyone’s time, I have heart disease in the family and I was seen at a lipid clinic years ago , I was told I have the weak genes

[Sensei_Mark in reply to Doodleowner]

Heart disease is not a joke. You are NOT wasting people's time.

I've just joined hoping for advice and support.

Family history gives me an idea of what to expect, but science is progressing rapidly.

[Sunnie2day]

Hiya and welcome to the forum!

The waiting (for the CT and/or other investigative tests) is the hardest part but one morning you wake up and it's time to head to the cath lab for your angiogram. But the wait is torture - every twinge/stab of pain has you thinking 'It's the Big One!'.

The angiogram should be helpful to the medics for determining what is going on, ruling in/out unstable angina for one, and finding any blockages wanting stents. But again, waiting for the day is horrible. Be sure to keep up on the forum - reading and posting replies/comments/questions is what got me through my waiting times.

Meanwhile, have you had a browse through the BHF website free publications and fact pages? The selection is very good, most can be downloaded straight to your computer. This fact page and video was very helpful to me while I waited for my angiogram (after you watch the video, use the drop down menu to find other fact pages and the free-to-download publications):

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Doodleowner in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thanks for your reply, to be honest I don’t think I have angina but as I said maybe I am burying my head in the sand. I am aware I have risk factors but I keep thinking it’s stress or indigestion. I read that you should go to a and e if the pain is long lasting, I don’t want to waste anyone’s time

[Scot2020 in reply to Doodleowner]

Your message reminded me of my experience. For about 5 years I've been experiencing throbbing in my neck and a tightness in my throat in extreme exertion. I am very fit at 65. Weightlifting. Ballet dancing. Walk 5 miles a day. Type 2 diabetes though. Mum had heart issues with bypass younger than me. Bury my head in the sand? No! I just didn't recognise angina Went for CT angio last Thursday Cos I went to gP and had stents two days ago!! Shell shocked all happening within 5 days. And I had severe blockages that meant I am a lucky wummin! Just flipping go and get checked. That's what you have paid NI for all your life!!

[Doodleowner in reply to Scot2020]

Glad you got your treatment, hope you are doing well

[Scot2020 in reply to Doodleowner]

Hi yes. It will be two weeks come Tuesday. Had allergic reaction to antiplatelet Clopidogrel and a bit breathless with the replacement Trigacelor (so?). But hopefully only have traje it for 6-12 months. I'd forgotten what it was like not to feel that aches tightness. Apparently am lucky to have dodged the inevitable heart attack. My fitness disguised the severity. Feel great physically but emotionally a bit fragile. Hopefully that will resolve!

[Doodleowner in reply to Scot2020]

You have been through a lot, I guess it will take time to process things

[Doodleowner]

Hi Got the results of my ct angiogram, said it showed mild furring of the arteries, to stay on aspirin and statin and to keep blood pressure in check, it said this would not account for the symptoms, I was wondering if maybe it is a small vessel problem, ? That was not mentioned at all, should I ask about that?

Thanks everyone for the support

[Scot2020 in reply to Doodleowner]

You have the right to ask for a second opinion and more information on what has been ruled out. I would not be here if I hadn't gathered my confidence to do that !!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Doodleowner]

KHas non obstructive coronary artery disease been considered?

It is possible to have angina without permanent narrowing of the coronary arteries.

The BHF some information about Microvascular angina on their website which is most often caused by Microvascular dysfunction.

There is an association with chemotheraphy and radiotherapy causing sometimes heart problems.

I suggest if you are still experiencing your symptoms you could ask to be referred to a Cardiologist with some understanding of Microvascular dysfunction and angina or a specialist in Cardio oncology for a further review.