Mild atherosclerosis and Amlodipine

[Eneedubleyew]

Hi everyone, newby here. I had been getting a discomfort in my chest after climbing a lot of stairs. I know it may sound strange, but it felt like I had swallowed an ice cube and had to wait for it to go down to stop the discomfort. I was initially told by my GP that everything was fine, but I persisted and was given an angiogram and was diagnosed with Mild atherosclerosis of the mid LAD. Which I was was told was minor plaque disease. I am now on 1 asprin 75mg a day, Rosuvastatin 20mg , and I have just started Amlodipine 5mg Has anyone has any experience of Amlodipine, after 10 days on this it has had no effect, except I have just started to get restless nights , don't know if this is part of it. Any comments would be welcome thanks.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Amlodipine is a CCI (calcium channel inhibitor). Their action makes them useful for reducing both blood pressure and angina. When you say "no effect" what area are you referring to?

With Amlodipine I did have problems with oedema (swollen ankles). This did not occur with Diltazium (another CCI) which I also found had better anti-anginal properties.

[Eneedubleyew in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi, and thanks. I have noticed if I exercise I still get the pain and discomfort. I was thinking that I may not get that now. I have been on them for 10 days so I thought maybe I would see some results. My GP did say we will review after 28 days, so maybe he will change them for something else.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Eneedubleyew]

Anti-anginals often do not stop angina completely but raise the point at which it occurs so you may walk further before it occurs. Before my bypass (it was decided I could not be treated by stents) I had actually gone over to another anti-anginal, Isosorbide Mononitrate, which has basically the same active ingredient as GTN spray.

Did they give you any percentages after the angiogram? I had four arteries between 70% and 85% (the LAD) blocked!

[Eneedubleyew in reply to MichaelJH]

Blimey 70% to 85% that sounds rough. Can you exercise with our pain now you’ve had a by-pass. Thanks for the info. Yes they said I had 40% stenosis of the LAD. I assume that means a 40% block. They did try me on isosorbide but It gave me terrible headaches.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Eneedubleyew]

It does! Bad headaches.... but I’ve learned that the headaches will reduce over a week or so. I’m not sure if that works for everyone, but it was worth persisting, as, for me, isosorbide now works well.

If they alter my meds (they seem to do it fairly regularly), I‘ve learned it’s worth pushing through the transition, (which can be v uncomfortable), just to check if the longer term effect is good.

[Eneedubleyew in reply to Kristin1812]

Thanks for the reply. I will keep going and see if I can ride it out, as you say the long term benefit are the goal. Thank you.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Eneedubleyew]

Yes, well I could. I went through Stage 3 rehab (at the hospital) and on to Stage 4 (in the community). However the arthritis in my left hip (I fractured the femur in an accident in 2008) got worse and I was advised to drop out. Now the PAD (peripheral arterial disease) in that leg has worsened and I am under a vascular surgeon. This is another area suffering CovIDelays!

[84green]

Hi. Just curious. How was the stenosis diagnosed - angiogram or CT angiogram - and have you been diagnosed with angina? 40% is mild and, whilst this could still cause angina, I wonder if it might be something else causing your discomfort.

[84green in reply to 84green]

Just seen it was via angiogram (apologies for not reading properly). The reason I ask is that angina with blockages below 50% is quite rare. As they didn’t stent your blockage, that would suggest that’s not considered a major problem. Hence my wondering whether it might be something other than angina.

[Eneedubleyew in reply to 84green]

Hi yes I have had my doubts as well. It was suggested that I try different meds to see if this makes any difference, if not then they say that they will see if there is another cause for the discomfort. At first diagnosis I was indeed told at 40% it’s nothing to worry about, but when I persisted that there was something causing this , I was put on meds for angina.

[84green in reply to Eneedubleyew]

I’m far from an expert but maybe consider speaking to your GP to refer you for a stress echocardiogram to see how your heart copes with the stress of moderate exercise. Or even get the test done privately? It may be a question of ruling some things out.

Also, don’t underestimate the role anxiety can play when you know you have heart disease and you develop any chest pain.

escardio.org/Journals/E-Jou...

[Smileyian in reply to Eneedubleyew]

Hi. I had every test imaginable and on the 2nd angiogram after 3 months was again told 40 -50 pct blockage in 2 arteries but no huge deal at that level. Need to be at least 70 pct before stent considered. I also wonder why I have mild angina after exercise. Breathless up hills. I am 76 so dont expect to be perfect but FFR 93 and 87 in affected arteries. LVEF 61 bp 128/75 hr 53. Why Angina symptoms is a mystery ? Surprised you have symptoms at 40 pct which is very moderate.

[jerry12953]

Are you absolutely certain that is not heartburn? if you haven't already done so, try taking a couple of gaviscon when it happens just to rule heartburn out.

[Eneedubleyew in reply to jerry12953]

Thanks. I will give it a try, it does feel like that, but its the fact it comes on after exercise that confuses me.

[Eneedubleyew]

Thanks. I will give it a try, it does feel like that, but its the fact it comes on after exercise that confuses me.