Colder weather

[MS73]

Hi all

Am approaching 18months into my heart journey, stented last year Lad and branch which was elective surgery just as 1st lockdown started. A 3rd issue had been left as flow was considered ok

Inconsistent symptoms leading up to that point more mild annoying occasional tightness in throat and chest not necessarily during exercise,

Anyway 9months on and recovery ok, but feel like a few odd niggles returned since this cold weather and like most of us the anxiety kicks in.. GP appointment Friday but can I ask if others notice issues more with colder weather

Thanks

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

The cold is a very common trigger for those of us living with heart problems in particular angina.

I never go out into the cold without covering my nose and mouth with a scarf or snood.

This is me all dressed up to beat the cold😂🥶

[Hidden]

Colder weather gives me angina if I don't wrap up warm and be careful. My consultant did say this would happen. Keep warm and avoid it and keep your gtn spray handy. 👍

[Tullymore]

Any kind of angina reacts to the cold. My mother long before any kind of heart surgery lived with angina from she was 20 till she died at 72. She always dreaded the winter. So it’s not uncommon just take it easy.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Tullymore]

Actually not every type of angina is the same across the board. I have (presumed as the queue for the diagnostic is over a year long) microvascular angina and mine reacts to heat and humidity, not cold. I positively thrive in cold weather (one of the reasons I live in NE Scotland is to be in a colder climate) but suffer dreadfully in spring and summer even up here in the 'frozen north'.

Most people with one or more of the various angina types including MVA and other microvascular dysfunction do 'feel the cold' but not all.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sunnie2day]

Sunnie you are not the only person with Microvascular angina who can't manage the heat and humidity. I know of a few others who have your experience.

However for those of us with vasospastic angina the cold is definitely the enemy 🥶

Another querk is high altitude and the change in the weather.

My family think I am a barometer. My vasospasms get worse if the weather changes suddenly especially a sudden drop in air pressure.

I have problems flying too.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Milkfairy]

Oh that's interesting, that you're the family barometer owing to the vasospasms! Also the altitude thing - I too have problems with altitude (I can't even do the lowest Munro now much less Ben Nevis), and as for flying, that's a not-ever-gonna-happen-again thing, even short hops here in the UK have become problematic for me. Chest pain, oedema (fingers and legs) within ten minutes after take-off.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sunnie2day]

I get chest pain and really swollen hands and feet too when I fly.

My Cardiologist only gave me permission to fly with oxygen.I use a portable oxygen condenser.

I have been prescribed oxygen to use at night to help me sleep better and I use it to help with my acute episodes of angina and migraine pain.

[Tullymore in reply to Sunnie2day]

Interesting

[Hidden]

I had my heart bypass last Feb and now really feel the cold. Its not as bad as before when the cold gave me an angina attack but being in the cold still makes my chest hurt and gives me aches across my chest and back.

[Ocset]

I have the same issue and legs and hands are almost frozen. Seen my Heart Function Nurse on Monday who said its common for people on beta-blockers and advised me to keep warm. Since the current cold weather wave started am also feeling a niggly pain in my chest that would last for seconds....waiting to see my GP. Would be interesting to find out what would your GP say about this...

[MS73]

Thanks everyone seems to be the clear steer and makes my anxiety ease which is very good