Hi everyone had quadruple bypass in November last year /

[Ianmac1957]

Been getting sudden strong pain in middle of chest ( heart ) when I’m at rest sitting or in bed if I take big breath pain goes

It can happen a lot say 10 an hour or none or 1 or 2 times

Anybody any ideas my meds are

Atorvastatin 80 mg

Bisoprolol 1.25mg

Clopidogrel 75mg

Lansoprazole 15mg

Lisinopril 2.5mg

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I can see nothing in your medication that would cause the pain. The best plan would be to call your GP in the morning. Obviously if it worsens call 111/999 as appropriate. The BHF nurses may also have suggestions.

Does it occur with exercise?

[Ianmac1957 in reply to MichaelJH]

exercise seems to help so I don’t think it’s angina ( which the bypass should have fixed ) I had angioplasty on my right leg yesterday took nearly two hours if or when I felt pain I was ready and was taking deep breaths in other words I was on alert for any twinge but sat relaxing today have felt it come on and off 7 /8 times it makes me think it’s something unusual thought this site would probably know more than G P to be honest I did mention it to admission nurse yesterday he told me about his heart attack but seemed ok with me saying when I took deep breaths it went away no one in theatre mentioned anything operation went well it feels like cramp will last for only 2 /3 sec when my deep breath stops it it could return in 2 mins or 2hrs I have even started questioning myself but I’m no super pain bearer nor am I wimp the pain itself is like an 7/8/9. but goes quickly

Thanks for your reply

[Sunnie2day in reply to Ianmac1957]

Wait - you're less than 48 hours post-angioplasty? Are you still in hospital? If yes, tell the nurse or the doctor when he/she does the very next round.

If you're home and experiencing this, you need to contact the cardiac nurse OR the BHF Heart Helpline nurses. The following link is to their contact details page:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Please update us.

[Ianmac1957 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Spoke to cardiac nurse she said when pain comes to try G spray if pain goes it’s cardiac if not it’s something else

I had angioplasty on Monday afternoon came home Monday evening

Thanks for taking time to reply

[Sunnie2day in reply to Ianmac1957]

Did the cardiac nurse say what to do if the GTN doesn't help? I'm asking as I have the same advice from my cardiologist AND my orthopaedist.

I have nerve damage in my left arm from a car wreck in the early 1970s that when aggravated causes pain perfectly mimicking angina pain including if aggravated enough (leaning on it the wrong way, especially my elbow) going up my arm to my chest-shoulder-neck-jaw. The orthopaedist says to try the GTN and if it doesn't help then the pain is more likely the nerve damage. The cardiologist says the same thing - if the GTN works, it's my heart conditions, if it doesn't it's the nerve damage. Both say 'Call/email if using the GTN doesn't work after using it twice and symptoms continue.' I'm wondering if you've been given similar advice?

I'm to be investigated for microvascular angina (cardiology) and thoracic outlet syndrome (orthopaedics) once things open up again.

[Ianmac1957 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Yes Sunny said contact G P if spray doesn’t work I’m reluctant to use spray as I have 90% blockage in neck (right side ) artery and spray gives me really sore head

But so far today I feel ok and if pain comes deep breath eases it im pretty sure it’s not angina

I was hopeful someone here would have recognised my symptoms but I will just need to wait and see

Thanks for responding

[MountainGoat52]

I wonder whether this pain you are experiencing is muscular. I am over 2 years post triple bypass and my chest muscles still tighten when sitting still. The ache is at the centre of my chest, slightly to the left. Massaging the muscle gives relief and exercise certainly helps.

[Ianmac1957 in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thanks for input my left breast is always numb since my bypass when this pain comes all of chest goes slightly numb will try massage if spray doesn’t work

Feeling better today only had one mild pain

Thanks for taking time to share I find only people who have experienced heart pain know what it’s like

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Ianmac1957]

Well I have had more trouble with nerve damage where a vein and an artery were harvested, plus of course the chest incision, than anything associated with my cardio-vascular system. The pain I get is definitely nothing to do with my heart.

The prescription for GTN spray ended for me when I had the bypass. I had no need to use it during the 11 months between my HA (when I had stents) and the bypass surgery.

I hope you get your problem sorted very soon.

[Leilavivienne]

That’s worrisome I would try and see your cardiologist