Time between attacks

[Debscrease]

Having been given GTN by GP for angina attacks 5 weeks ago, after having 2 nasty attacks a week apart. I'd been having these for approx 18 months before realising I had a lot of symptoms of angina. Since having the spray, I've had one attack in my sleep, only waking as the symptoms were abating. My night meds do make me sleep heavily at times. I've not had one since. Is it normal to go weeks without an attack. I don't appear to have triggers for the attacks, as they have occurred in my sleep and whilst eating and relaxing. I'm waiting for the chest pain clinic to send for me.

[Sunnie2day]

I've gone weeks without an angina attack and then whammo - spend a week having at least one episode a day. Mostly when I try to be too active without a good warm-up or if it is warmer than 22C/71F and or at or above 55% humidity.

Everyone is different as to what triggers the angina, and what 'type' angina - 'stable' meaning usually only on exertion, 'unstable' meaning any time any place no reason especially, 'angina with normal coronaries' - my particular brand of angina my cardiologist believes is microvascular but can't absolutely confirm it owing to pandemic delays and people in far worse shape than I am being way ahead of me in the queue for the specialised testing.

Are you reporting or at least logging the times and severity of the angina episodes? The log will be very helpful for the Rapid Access Chest Pain unit when your appointment is booked and you arrive there for the intake interview (usually an ECG both resting and 'stress' on a treadmill or stationary bike, bloods, blood pressure, weight, notes review discussion with the cardiac nurse).

But if the GTN starts to not work, or you continue to have episodes where the angina happens even without exertion or during your sleep, you really need to alert the GP soon as. Erm, sooner, really.

Please keep us updated as to how you go on.

[Debscrease in reply to Sunnie2day]

Yes I've got a notepad to log any attacks and duration. The longest being 20 mins at rest no exhersion. My physical activity is limited due to chronic osteoarthritis, however I'm noticing I'm becoming more breathless after climbing stairs. I climb at a steady pace not fast due to my arthritis. I'm hoping I hear from the clinic soon. Thanks for your informative reply. Take care

[Healthyheart1 in reply to Debscrease]

Hi Debscrease, when i have been to the doctor with increasing breathlessness on exertion like using stairs my doctor told me that I'm unfit its nothing to do with my angina. I can't get my head round 1 day is tough and another is tougher 😫. If I try to exercise my breathlessness stops me? I don't know what to think

Regards Sheena

[Debscrease in reply to Healthyheart1]

I'm waiting for appointment at rapid chest pain clinic , I'm going to mention the breathlessness as I believe it's one of the many symptoms that can occur. I would make an appointment to see a different doctor at your practice and ask them.

[Qualipop in reply to Debscrease]

Don't accept being told breathlessness is because you're unfit or it's all muscular. Because I have bad spinal problems I was told that for 3 years until I had a heart attack. The ONLY person who questioned it was a young , fairly newly qualified doctor at the urgent care centre who actually asked my family history (Mum had 3 HAs, dad had angina and my grandfather's 12 brothers and one sister all died before they were 50 of what was then called dropsy).and immediately booked me for the rapid accesses chest clinic. The HA happened before I got an appointment. One artery totally blocked and two at 65%.

[Squash1961 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Hi Sunnie2day

Out of interest what test does your Cardiologist suggest for testing for micro vascular angina? Since, I have on going chest aches (not so much pain) that comes and goes (Clear coronary arteries) and my Cardiologist thinks either drug interactions or micro vascular/Vasospastic angina.

Thanks

Squash

[Sunnie2day in reply to Squash1961]

My cardiologist wants me to have the angiogram with acetylcholine provocation; apparently it's a test done in only a very few places in the UK. I live in Scotland so am in the queue for the test at Glasgow (Golden Jubilee).

Here's a BHF Heart Matters article about microvascular angina:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Also helpful if you think you may have the condition is clicking the link I posted to the OP (the BHF angina page), good information there.

[Sunnie2day]

I'm putting these links in a separate reply so they don't become lost in my rambling The following is a link to the BHF publications page on angina - the downloads are free as are hard copies (but with pandemic delays it may take longer for hard copies to arrive):

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

And this link takes you to the BHF Heart Helpline contact details page - the cardiac nurses there are wonderful according to all reports, very helpful:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Squash1961 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thanks so much Sunnie2day. Some great information and very useful!

[Ninjanoo]

Hi Debscrease,

I had the angiogram in June that you are waiting for which gave me my diagnosis. I have clear arteries but have coronary artery spasm (also known as prinzmetal angina/vasospastic angina/variant angina!)

The days I dont feel like I have an elephant sat on my chest or chest pain through the day are really very few. This week I've had chest pains everyday in "clusters" - am still trying to figure out my triggers but know colder temperatures makes it worse but also find this is the case in higher temperatures. As for the bits in between still learning! Household chores even cooking a meal is a struggle.

As for the angiogram it's pretty straightforward. Bit like entering the starship Enterprise once you're in the cath lab, lots of screens and staff but they all work very swiftly and make sure you are comfortable. I had mine through the wrist you can feel the wire going up through your arm a bit (I didn't ask for a sedative) and pressure on wrist but that was about it.

I hope you manage to get your appointment soon ❤