Wearing a mask with microvascular angina and coronary spasm.

[Goldenheart]

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.

[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 in reply to Fluffybee]

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 in reply to Goldenheart]

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 in reply to Fluffybee]

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]

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

[Goldenheart in reply to gilreid1]

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

[gilreid1 in reply to Goldenheart]

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

Be safe and take care

[Goldenheart in reply to gilreid1]

Thankyou .

[Milkfairy Heart 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 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks milk fairy,ill have a look.

[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]

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 in reply to EMBoy]

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.