Angina.

[Che21]

Was diagnosed with angina 2 wks ago and put on 300mg asprin but the pain in the left shoulder, arm, neck and chest seem to persist. Is this normal

[EmmyLaury12]

Not too sure ??

I had a HA last April

And given a gtn spray but thankfully not had to use it .

Perhaps you need a tele. Consultation with Gp todiscuss your symptoms .

Hope you go on ok x

[Sunnie2day]

Hiya, Che21, welcome to the group! You'll find a lot of support here, we are (as many of us like to say) a merry band of Hearties! I'm a Lady Heartie, with angina as one of my multiple heart conditions, all mild-ish and well controlled by meds and life-style adjustments (check my profile but be warned I'm boring, lol!).

I have a few questions:

***Who diagnosed the angina - GP or a cardiologist?

***Are you also on a beta blocker to go along with the 300mg aspirin? (I'm on 1.25mg Bisoprolol+300mg once a day, working a treat for me but we're all different and it takes time for the medics to work out the right dosages for each patient)

***Do you have a GTN spray, and if yes, do you use it when you have the angina pain?

***If you do use the GTN, does using it help relieve the pain you're describing?

***Are you in the UK and if yes, has your doctor referred you forward for the Rapid Access Chest Pain unit to the angina to be investigated further?

[Che21 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I am from Zambia, Africa. I live in a small town where we dont have a cardiologist but a GP dianosed it and prescribed asprin and nothing else.

I went back a few days ago to explain that i would still experience the pain despite taking asprin for a week but he said we respond differently to medication and i needed to be a little more patient, but its two weeks now. I must mention that i feel a lot better in terms of strength but the mild pressing pain is still very much there.

I am however planning on visiting a bigger and better hospital next month.

Thanks a lot for your time

[Sunnie2day in reply to Che21]

Please keep us updated on how you get on. I think you're wise to try a bigger hospital.

[Che21 in reply to Sunnie2day]

Will do, thank you so much

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I will start with a couple if quick questions:

i) Is Aspirin your only medication?

ii) Does it come on with exertion or is it also there at rest?

[Che21 in reply to MichaelJH]

HiYes it is my only medication and since it started nearly 17 days ago, it just comes and goes whether am resting or doing something. I have only been on asprin the last 14 days.

Though i feel much stronger, the discomfort/ mild pain continues to come every now and then.. like a good number of times in a day.

Thank you for your time

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Che21]

I find your medication puzzling as Aspirin is usually prescribed to prevent clots that may block a narrowed artery. Usually with angina due to narrowed coronary arteries either GTN spray, or an anti-anginal like Isosorbide Mononitrate or Diltazem is also prescribed. The addition of a statin is very common.

The fact you get pain at rest is disturbing. If the angina is due to narrowing of the main arteries it indicates the angina is moving from stable to unstable which needs investigation urgently. Another cause could be Micro Vascular Angina and I will ask Milkfairy to comment on this. Do let us know how things progress.

[Che21 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you so much. He told me asprin could do since they didn't have isosorbide in stock.

Will seek specialist treatment soon

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Che21

The BHF has this information about angina. At the beginning there is an animation that shows the possible causes of Angina.

A disorder of the very small blood vessels- Microvascular angina.

A condition when there is a temporary constriction or vasospasm of the coronary arteries- Vasospastic angina.

The most common cause of angina is due to a permanent blockage of the coronary arteries - coronary artery disease.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

As Michael has already said as you have chest pain at rest this needs investigating and treating properly.

GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate tablets, and other medication like Diltizem that relax the blood vessels all help prevent angina whatever type.

I suggest you go to see a Cardiologist as soon as you can or ask your GP to give you the appropriate treatment.

GTN is a medication that has been used safely for over a hundred years to treat angina and is not expensive.

Good luck!

[Che21 in reply to Milkfairy]

Milkfairy, thank you so much, will make efforts to see a cardiologist.