MVA - Spasms and Exercise

[Smileyian]

Good Morning from Singapore (National Day) I wonder if I might ask those with Artery Spasms, MVA, etc etc about exercise. Whilst I am still waiting to be confirmed with Artery Spasms which is causing my breathlessness and pain, it has been presumed as my 2 arteries with stenosis reveal only 48 and 50 pct blockage which is not interfering nor restricting blood flow. (FFR confirmed this during angiogram when those 2 arteries went into spasm. Not sure whether wire induced the spasms or they were spontaneous which would be very coincidental. MVA is suspected also, so may need confirmation on the smaller blood vessels. Milkfairy has advised about a specialized tests that the Cardiologist can perform. Questions are : I am attending Cardiac Rehab gym but am doing my own exercises at home on the other 6 days of the week and I actually feel good because of this. In general terms, am I safe doing these exercises at home and periodic brisk walking outside even though I have angina. Another important question would be if I have pain during home exercises, is this considered dangerous or can I just stop and wait 5 mins and then return to the exercises.

Last question would be - do any of you take a "preventative spray" of GTN prior to exercises or expected stress or should the spray only be used if pain or discomfort is experienced.

Summarizing - does exercise harm the heart in any way if one has any form of angina or does it , in fact improve the symptoms long term.

Yes one can google all this, however as many contributors to this forum have wisely advised, google is not always the best source of information given many conflicting views. I find the experiences of actual patients such as we share on this channel much more precise and rewarding. Thank you all very much. Smileyian.

[vinixxx]

With MVA blood supply to you heart muscle is compromised.

Can recommend only "light activities."

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to vinixxx]

Hi vinixxx

Do you live with Microvascular angina?

[vinixxx in reply to Milkfairy]

Not sure.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to vinixxx]

Have you been able to see a Cardiologist with some understanding of Microvascular and vasospastic angina?

[Smileyian in reply to vinixxx]

Thanks vinixxx. I am told that I have very good blood supply via main arteries with FFR of 87 in one and 93 in other. I expect during spasms, which for myself has never lasted more that 15 seconds at any one time that temporary spasm may compromise the flow. The Cardiac Rehab make me do treadmill, leg cycling, rowing at an incremental level each visit. Not high intensity so hope that is acceptable Vinixxx tks for your input.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Smileyian

Here's some BHF information about GTN.

As I suggested before you can use the GTN spray before exercising.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Smileyian in reply to Milkfairy]

Tks just read the complete link you advised which has enlightened me further. I just wondered if your various angina's can only last 5 - 10 seconds as I get a number of these short but painful episodes. Notwithstanding the above, my scope has now shown a 5 to 6 cm hiatus hernia which I see from some posts can mimic and be confused with heart pain.

[Smileyian in reply to Smileyian]

It gets quite frustrating as I really want to follow your advice and spray GTN prior to exercise.....it makes sense. However my cardiologist and heart rehab centre do not want me to do that as they will be unable to monitor my pain threshold heart beat number. The GTN will suppress any pain hence they will not be able to effectively monitor my improvement over the next 6 months. Notwithstanding that, he has stated if you face a steep hill or steps then can spray prior to climbing or if pain results...... seems so many opinions to navigate sigh....

[Sunnie2day]

I do use a prophylactic spritz before exercise or if I'm going to be out and about on foot for an extended period of time - but only if I haven't been able to do a good warm-up, or if it's warm and humid where I'm going to be exerting myself. If it helps any, my angina pain is like yours, sometimes comes and goes so quickly I don't have time to reach for the GTN spray.

My cardiologist wants me to exercise. He trusts me to be sensible about it but he does want me to exercise. I was unwell for months with an acute flare of my recurrent pericarditis so was unable to do much more than walk around the house but since clearing the flare a few months ago I'm back on track (literally, lol ) and am following an approved plan to regain fitness (walking plus an indoor work-out). Incremental increases to distance and 'reps' - and I am seeing positive results.

[Smileyian in reply to Sunnie2day]

Absolutely wonderful. So pleased.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Smileyian]

It's working for me - and it will work for you if your consultant approves.

[Just-Wanna-Run]

I've been diagnosed with MVA and my main arteries are lovely and clear. My cardiologist said to use the GTN as a preventative. He said to exercise but build up slowly. Before I started with symptoms I was running half marathons but I stopped while I was waiting for all the tests. Now I'm on week 4 of C25K. I just need the get the timing right and not spray too early/late. I also spray once or twice during exercise when I start feeling pain. I have to say that I need to spray less during the run so I feel its getting better. I don't get angina when resting though, so I doubt I gave the spasms.

[Smileyian in reply to Just-Wanna-Run]

I will use GTN as many of you suggest as am doing light home exercises and cardiac rehab gym once a week. The different types of angina and GTN usage are quite a minefield. The very best to you J W R.

[bee2 in reply to Smileyian]

I was advised not to use as a preventative outside my home as I have Bradycardia and low BP at times. As for my spasms they can last hours so shows we are all different and need to work out things by trial and error.

[Smileyian in reply to bee2]

Sounds like a sensible move in your case and yes we are all different and respond to medicines and treatment in different ways.

[Abergele]

I have 60% block left artery diagnostics coronary spasm and mvd I try to live as normal as possible on cocktail of pills, sometimes think everything is fine then when over working and tired I sneaks up and hits me right thru chest into back, I take spray and then sleep it off for an hour but cause aches for hours, it just reminds us we are not indestructible, stay positive and try to live!!!

[McFox68]

Hi, just recently been diagnosed with MVD and was advised by my cardiac nurse to take it slow and use the GTN spray before exercising, I'm up to 2 mile speed walk and cycled 4 miles at a decent pace, just completed a mile speed walk, 1/2 mile light jog and 1/2 mile walk warm down this morning, all with using GTN spray first. So far so good

For me I'm taking it very very slowly, it works for me, but get advice from your doctor or cardiologist first.

[Smileyian in reply to McFox68]

Wow that is quite impressive McFox68. Would you be in your 50's as 68 suggests. I would be just so happy if I could make such progress. Well done.

[McFox68]

Yeah turned 52 in june. I do feel tired afterwards and end up going to bed earlier than normal, but I know it's gonna take time.

[dunestar]

The consensus amongst the health care professionals I have spoken to about exercise when you have MVA is that it is a good thing. But you do have to be careful. At my rehab class there is a lot of emphasis on starting each session slowly and building up from there. Also monitor how you are doing. Don't try and push things too far. Do they show you a chart at your rehab class where you assess how hard you are working? It's good to internalise that chart so you know where you are when you are doing exercise outside the class.

[Smileyian in reply to dunestar]

Absolutely. The chart is a very important element of the session. I fully concur with your post.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

The Borg Scale of perceived exertion is often used in Cardiac rehab

The BHF has some information in this link.

.www.bhf.org.uk/information...

[Smileyian]

Tks vm