Last week was challenging - chest pain and visit to A&E

[jon22]

Just over a week ago (Sunday 30th August) I decided to go back to swimming after a 5 month break. I swam 44 lengths in 50 minutes and felt great. Next day I noticed my blood pressure was higher than normal and had a chest niggle after light warm up walk and a 30 minute run. I thought it was muscular but I did take my GTN spray(not used since Feb this year) and this and rest did seem to relieve it. This pattern continued until Friday when I decided to go to A&E. At A&E they did an ECG and took bloods & blood pressure. ECG they said compared to my HA discharge papers ECG (back in January this year) was normal for me and that whilst my troponin was raised at 15.6 but concluded this might be normal for me given my previous HA.

Conclusion was that I should be discharged that night and told to see my doctor on Monday and book an appointment at the rapid access chest clinic (RACC)-done for this Thursday)).

Spoke to my doctor this morning and he said no further sport, runs, swimming until I had the results from the RACC this Thursday. Any chest pain that does not go away with the second dose of GTN spray I should call 999.

Taking it easy until Thursday but this is all very worrying.

[Fredders]

Hi Jon, sounds like you overdid it with the exercising, particularly the swimming. As you hadn’t done it for a while you should have gradually eased yourself back into it. Hopefully the results will show there is no problem, so once you get the all clear again don’t do the same again! 🤪

Wendy

[CarlGreen]

Hi Jon, worry seems to be my middle name since HA back in June!

I have found that quite often, if I push myself doing exercise, I pay for it a day or so afterwards (Although at the time of doing the work out, I feel great!!!)

It is worrying, but at least you are doing teh right thing and getting teh right tests.

Good Luck.

[jon22]

Thanks for your replies. I still have a slight niggle, and am taking it easy until I have spoken with the cardiologist on Thursday.

What is a little worrying is that the hospital patient access desk rang up yesterday and said that they wanted to do a telephone consultation on Thursday. Not really what I wanted and I hope they dont just say I need to increase my meds (eg. bisoprolol 2.5mg) to mask the problem?

[Zemer]

Jon22, my word 44 lengths in 50 mins. I wouldn't be able to swim 1 length and that was before I had my heart event. I'd be afraid now to swim at all. You definitely overdid it even though you obviously are a keen swimmer and before this would have been a usual swim for you. Next time I would say just enjoy doing some gentle lengths and relax in the pool.

I think to be safe you need more than a phone consultation. You didn't say if you had any stents fitted but it would be good to have a proper check, ECG and Electrocardiogram to make sure everything is OK. But definitely rest to see if things settle down and give yourself time to heal. Good luck and stay well.

[jon22 in reply to Zemer]

Thanks Zemer. I had 4 stents December 31st last year, all co-joined as I understand. I am on 2.5mg bisoprolol, 5mg ramipril, 10mg prasugrel, 75mg aspirin, 10mg atorvastatin daily. Been doing 30 mins running every 2 days without any pain so pain and using my GTN was unusual for me a day after the swim?

Will post what they say after my telephone appointment tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks all again.