Heart Spasm?

Hi all,

On Sunday afternoon I had a sudden intense “spasm” , felt like someone had reached in and squeezed my heart. I’ve had similar feelings occasionally before but this time it left me with a tight, heavy “lump” in the middle of my chest which would not go away...on top of which I felt weak, ill and a bit lightheaded. GTN spray didn’t clear it. After speaking to my angina nurse on Monday I called 111 and then had a ride in an ambulance to the hospital where ECG and blood tests didn’t show up anything sinister. I was given morphine which does seem to have helped but I’m still totally wiped out (it’s now Wednesday). I have Microvascular Angina, the doctor wondered if I may have had a spasm that didn’t clear immediately? I will be speaking to my cardiologist tomorrow but any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thank you!

[Alisbabas]

Hi,

I had that a few weeks ago after climbing my stairs and when I lay down I had the same pressure feeling like somebody was squeezing my heart and lasted a few minutes. When I got up next day it had felt like my heart had run a marathon like an aching muscle. I rang the BHF and they said get it checked at A & E I told them I had an angina check a few years ago and it was ok but the nurse said it could be small vessel angina? I went but there was no sign off anything

The doctor said it just could be my bicuspid valve, I rang my cardiologist and just waiting for them to get back to me. He will probably say your scan was fine last September so it’s nothing to do with your heart but I know something is wrong.

I hope some one may be able to help you

Al

[Hidden in reply to Alisbabas]

Hi Ali,

I’m sure your cardiologist won’t go on a year-old scan, you need to be checked again!

Good luck, hope you get an answer...I will report back if I find out anything.

[Alisbabas in reply to Hidden]

Hi

Thanks, I’ll keep you updated too

Take care x

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi MintTeaPlease

Sorry to hear you had to go to A&E.

Have you had a perfusion MRI to determine the underlying cause of your Microvascular angina or

an angiogram with acetylcholine to confirm whether you have microvascular dysfunction or vasospastic angina?

I live with vasospastic angina vasospasms in both my coronary arteries and small vessels.

I felt a difference in pain when I had my angiogram with acetylcholine that was used to provoke my vasospasms.

When I have microvascular spasms I feel as though someone has taken my heart in their hands and wrung it out like a wet cloth.

I then have a feeling of an in print of pain in my heart area.

It feels like a horse has kicked me in the chest.

Then I am very tired for a few days.

Your medication may need reviewing.

I would also say that trying to catch a vasospasm on an ECG is like trying to catch a wil 'n the wisp.

The staff now carry out consecutive ECGs during an episode of chest pain for me and they then can see the shift in my ECG.

Did they tell you your Troponin levels? Any level above 5ng/L is of clinical significance even though it's below the threshold indicating permanent heart damage.

I hope it all settles down for you.

Can you identify any particular trigger?

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfairy,

Thanks for your reply...long time no speak! Your description of a Microvascular spasm is pretty much spot on how I felt, so I reckon that’s what it was.

I have had the perfusion MRI which proved the Microvascular Dysfunction diagnosis. Normal angiogram was clear, I haven’t had a test for vasospastic angina though.

They didn’t tell me in A&E what any levels were, only that there was nothing showing heart damage.

I’m not on any medication apart from GTN oatches as every drug I have tried has either no effect or has been intolerable.

Until recently I’ve been doing really well with different therapies but after (non confirmed but all my consultants and doctors agree) having Covid 3 months ago I’ve been really struggling!!

Like I say, I’ve had a few of these spasms before but nothing like this intensity and it’s never affected be afterwards before. I’m going to have to cancel all work for this week.

Thanks again for your advice, will speak to consultant tomorrow!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

Hi MintTeaPlease

I am sorry to hear you had Covid that must have stressed your body so much so not surprising that your MVA is worse.

The BHF added to their angina page yesterday and it lists MVA and vasospastic angina as high risk conditions if you catch coronavirus

There is also evolving research suggesting that Covid 19 effects the blood vessels in the body

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I hope you have a productive consultation with your Cardiologist today

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks Milkfairy,

Yes, everything got worse and I’ve not been right since...it’s been about 3 months now!

I’ve read about how it affects the blood, and it’s scary that MVA has now been added as “high risk”. Cancelled all my work for this week to try and recover, slowly getting there...I hope!

Thanks again.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

Take care and be kind and patient with yourself

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you, good advice as usual! I will do that!

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

Update: spoke to my cardiologist today, he agrees I had a microvascular spasm. Going to try some medications I tried a few years ago to see if they help this time. Plus, of course, rest up for the next few days!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

Good to hear you had a good consultation.

I really hope the medication helps.

Can you tolerate beta blockers or Ranolazine? They tend to be more helpful for microvascular dysfunction.

No good for me though 😊

Rest well and don't be tempted to rush back to work too soon.

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

No good for me either I’m afraid, I don’t seem to tolerate many drugs. Thanks again for your help!