Wearing a mask with microvascular ang... - British Heart Fou...

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Wearing a mask with microvascular angina and coronary spasm.

Goldenheart profile image
13 Replies

Hi, i wore a mask yesterday for a ten minute walk, and felt more tight chested and breathless than usual, had to keep stopping and could only manage a slow pace. Just wondered if others have experienced this with mask use. ..the heart and lungs are connected.

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Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart
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13 Replies
Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee

Hi Goldenheart

My cardiologist has diagnosed me with the same as you but having a stress MRI scan soon.

I do find wearing a mask makes me more breathless.

I don’t live in a busy area so don’t need a mask while I’m at home but obviously going out is another level.

I don’t think there’s a safe mask that’s thin and protective enough to help with this.

I’m sure others in here feel the same with other heart conditions as well.

How were you diagnosed. ?

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toFluffybee

Hi, my cardio gave me a presumed diagnosis, as i had a ct scan of the heart,following lots of angina episodes, and emergency admissions, revealing clear arteries.just a very minute blockage apparently. Im on 300mg tildiem daily. Yet exertion still brings episodes of angina. At my last appt, 15 months ago,i was told i probably have microvascular aswell as coronary spasms. ...still waiting for my next appt.

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee in reply toGoldenheart

I had an echo that showed my heart wasn’t squeezing sufficiently enough to let the blood supply through, when I had chest pain/heaviness it showed up on the ECG.

I also had abnormalities on the ECG the consultant organised just before I saw him which had significant q waves, borderline QT syndrome and something else I cannot remember at the moment.

Completely clear coronary arteries though.

Waiting now for this stress MRI !!

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toFluffybee

Hi fluffybee, sorry to hear your journey through this too, i find the fear,uncertainty and unpredictability of it draining. Ive waited 15 months since my last appt. I have tried to push for another, was told due to covid, the appt will be delayed. Hope you get speedier help.

gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1

Just wondering why you are wearing a mask when going for a walk ?

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply togilreid1

The walk to my very busy shopping precint and chemist. And the walk there is a very crowded one.

gilreid1 profile image
gilreid1 in reply toGoldenheart

Ah that makes sense. Try and find an approved version that makes easier breathing.

Be safe and take care

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply togilreid1

Thankyou .

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Hi Goldenheart

Is it the mask?

I only wear a cloth mask when I go into an enclosed space, on public transport and hospital appointments etc.

This is a very short video clip by Dr Rohan Francis a Cardiologist showing that wearing a mask does not lower your oxygen levels.

twitter.com/MedCrisis/statu...

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toMilkfairy

Thanks milk fairy,ill have a look.

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee

I first saw the cardiologist around November 2019, had 3 emergency admissions to hospital, 1 phone call from a Dr who didn’t know about micro vascular angina or coronary artery spasms, so made me feel like I was making it up as my arteries are clear.

He spoke to my cardiologist, that’s why I’m now waiting for the MRI with the injection 🥴

Sounds exciting 😳😳

EMBoy profile image
EMBoy

Hi Goldenheart,

My heart block doesn't cause me to be breathless because I have a pacemaker to take care of it, but I do have COPD and wearing a mask certainly increases my breathing rate.

From what I can gather, wearing a mask does not give much protection against catching the virus, but does reduce the chances of you passing it on to someone else if you are infected.

I commute to London and work in a hospital, so I have to wear a mask while travelling and while I am at work. It was difficult at first, but I am getting used to it. It's nice being able to breathe easily, so I chose not to wear a mask when I am in the street. The only problem is the other idiots who don't bother to keep 2m distance.

From a legal point of view, it is not necessary to wear a mask if it causes you severe distress.

It is a difficult choice to make and we all have to decide what level of risk we wish to take.

Best wishes and keep safe.

Goldenheart profile image
Goldenheart in reply toEMBoy

Hi EMBoy, thankyou for taking the time to reply. Your right about the idiots who act recklessly,its still a real threat. A huge dis respect to all you hospital workers out there. I applaude you all for all you keep doing.

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