I am due to have a cardiac MRI with perfusion end of March at the Royal Brompton. Does anyone know if they give you any info on what they have found straight after the scan or do you have to wait for the report?
Am asking as have been waiting 5 months with palpitations, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, occasional chest pain and upper abdominal pain. I am wondering if it is a microvascular issue as emergency angiogram in November and 7 day tape were both clear.
It is tricky to manage work with no diagnosis as well as being more than a little scary not knowing what is wrong!
Thanks for any info
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janesp
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Hello l think with the MRI your doctor calls you after if they find a problem...not exactly sure when but l guess if it's urgent they will call you urgent. As for your symptoms, l had Covid in October and am still having these exact symptoms since. I am asthmatic. Have you had Covid?
Haven’t had COVID as far as I’m aware. I was tested twice in hospital in November and it was negative then. Had the crappy cardiac symptoms before and since the test
I’m sorry to hear about your symptoms, are you being helped with these?
I was hoping that if they find a problem on the MRI they do actually call. I had an emergency angiogram in November and still no report back apart from them saying it was ‘clear’. Meanwhile it has been 5 months of fluctuating symptoms and my life has changed for the worse. GP has no idea what to do.
Can only work part time and work getting bit iffy as no diagnosis. 😔
At least you can work. ...l am not able to because l struggle everyday. I get chest pains, abdominal pains, and shortness of breath at the little things l do and extreme fatigue and aches and pains. I was given prednisolone but it doesn't help. I take cocodamol for the pain when it's really bad...but it doesn't also help always. I did a CT scan 3 weeks ago but haven't heard anything so l guess they didn't see anything. With my Covid, l took 5 tests (last 3 in hospital), first 4, all negative and the last one came back positive. It is a deadly virus and it can linger in you for months. I think you might have Covid as l have been experiencing similar symptoms since April. I felt better in August and went back to work but felt sick again with the same symptoms in Mid October and finally tested positive (my 5th Covid test) for Covid in the hospital. Hopefully they find a cure and we all feel better soon. All the best for the future. 🤞💕
Hi,Sounds like it might be an idea to chase that CT scan just in case? I know you might think there isn’t a problem shown, if you haven’t heard, but everything is taking longer to come back now it seems...at least that’s what I’m finding. Would a heated microwave pack be any use to help your chest a little?
I’m not sure about Covid. The tests I had in hospital were very thorough (and unpleasant!).
I wish you the best, and hope it gets better for you soon!
My occupational health people at work just recommended this site longcovid.org to help with my fatigue symptoms. I wondered if it would be of any use to you? If you click on the top right menu there are some things under patients.
I have had several cardiac MRIs and my coronary arteries are clear.
It took a while for me to get my diagnosis and unfortunately Microvascular dysfunction and vasospastic angina are sometimes over looked and difficult to diagnose.
I was diagnosed with coronary vasospastic angina after I had a special angiogram that provoked my vasospasms which I have in my small vessels and coronary arteries.( they don't do this type of angiogram at the Royal Brompton)
I have always had to wait for my MRI results that can't tell you there and then if there is a problem.
St Thomas's hospital is about to start a study into Microvascular dysfunction which might be helpful to you.
I guess it is too complex for them to give any info straight after the MRI... I just wondered if there is any indication if an issue is found.
It’s difficult waiting for months and not knowing while my symptoms are getting worse.
I’ve actually diagnosed myself with Microvascular Angina through trying to figure out what is wrong! The draft report that was chucked at me after the angiogram (no proper discharge from hospital) mentioned MRI required ‘to exclude anomalous circulation’ so I guess that tallies!
Initially I got a call from the rapid access chest clinic saying we’ve spotted ST segment elevation on your ecg, you need to go A&E as you may be in imminent danger of having a heart attack! (Hence the angiogram). Ever since then have been quite fearful.
I can understand your fear and anxiety. I am still here after nearly 9 years of having ST elevations, ST depressions and T wave inversions. So far none has caused any permanent damage. The angina episodes can be frightening especially if you don't what the cause of your symptoms are.
Living with vasospastic angina is like walking a tight rope.
ST elevations are often seen when there is a coronary artery spasm.
You don't usually see them with microvascular angina .
The symptoms of microvascular and vasospastic angina are very similar.
Though with MVA sometimes the only symptoms can be breathlessness and extreme fatigue chest pain mainly on exertion some at rest.
With Vasospastic angina the chest pain episodes come in clusters. The pain can be very severe and prolonged at rest especially between 12 midnight and 6am.
I am often woken at night with angina.
Have you been referred to a specialist with some knowledge of Microvascular dysfunction and vasospastic angina?
The BHF has this information about Microvascular and vasospastic angina .
I suggest you don't Google too much some information you read will have you in a coffin before you know it😊
Oh, that sounds awful, I feel for you! 😔 The vasospastic side of it especially, though both very difficult to manage I should think.
They did say the ST thing was probably a ‘false positive’ and I guess it was but something is causing these symptoms.
I can relate to the extreme fatigue and shortness of breath. If I walk for more than 10 mins I often feel I need to lie down. Also happens sometimes when not really doing anything.
Have not been referred to anyone yet, just waiting for the MRI. I’m on their cancellations list.
Thanks for the links. Think you are right on the Googling, it’s driven by anxiety I guess.
I’m sure this has been mentioned to you before but have you ever thought of trying acupuncture for pain?
Yes,I had to find an experienced acupuncturist as I am on an anti platelet medication along with alot of medications.
It didn't help in fact it kicked off some spasms.
I am very careful as my vasospasms will be triggered by many things so I am cautious about taking herbal or other supplements.
I use other techniques such as Mindfulness meditation, Tai Chi, Yoga breathing and relaxation techniques.
My TENS machine like the ones women use in labour with 2 hot water bottles help.
Managing stress and anxiety are really important.
If your symptoms persist even if your MRI shows no problems I suggest you ask your GP to refer you to the team at St Thomas's who are carrying out the research study I posted.
Hi, I had a cardiac mri last year, results came through quite quickly, about three weeks, all ok apparently, I haven't been able to work since April, I'm still waiting on cardiology referral to find out if I have micro vascular angina but everything is obviously slower because if covid.
Hi milkfairy,Thankyou for that it was very interesting, I would be glad to take part. I'm hoping to soon get an appointment with cardiology to address this but if that doesn't come soon then I think it would be a good option. Not sure what if any exclusions apply with previous history but worth looking into , thankyou.
If you don't mind me asking, what are your symptoms? Just wanting to compare notes..
It sounds reassuring that the results weren't too long to come through. I am dreading the fight to get help though if my MRI does turn out to be all fine. My symptoms have been going since September, I don't think they are going to disappear at this point.
I don't mind you asking at all, I have pains in the left side of my upper body, shoulder arm chest and neck, I also experience a lot of discomfort in my upper abdomen, the pains have no obvious trigger, they usually come at rest more than while active. After many visits to a and e, they keep coming back to angina but cardiology say that I don't have angina because main arteries are as expected, I have been experiencing this for over three years now and would love some cause to be found, I think it's worse not knowing what causes it, I'd rather know because then it would take some of the anxiety away which I'm sure in itself would help. I wish you good luck with your mri and hope they do find something but then again if they don't then that is good too in a different way. I hope you will let us all know how it goes and feel free to ask anything you think I can help with, comparing notes is always good and it's always good to not feel you are the only one.
Unfortunately not all A&E staff and Cardiologists are up to date about all causes of angina which includesNon obstructive coronary artery disease NOCAD or Ischaemia Non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA
It is absolutely possible to have angina without blockages to your arteries I do and many others on the forum do due to
Microvascular dysfunction and or vasospastic angina.
My vasospastic angina was diagnosed during an angiogram when they injected acetylcholine into my coronary arteries.
Normal blood vessels should relax, mine didn't.
I had my usual chest pain and very significant ECG changes.
They detected vasospasms in my small vessels and coronary arteries.
I suggest you ask your GP to refer you to a Cardiologist who has some expertise in caring for patients with Microvascular and vasospastic angina.
Three years is a long time, it must be very difficult for you. Totally get what you say about the anxiety of not knowing. Whatever it is I would just like to know now!
I also have pains on the left side, just the chest and by ribs, as well as upper abdominal pain. Was told to take Omeprazole for this pain, and they always seem completely baffled when it doesn't magically fix it!
It sounds as if you do have some form of angina (?) have they ever tried you on any medication?
Thanks and comparing notes is great, I like to pass on anything I find helps
Hello Jane, Omeprazole is rubbish. I was on it myself for years and didn't see any difference in my abdominal pain. I actually started feeling worse than l was so l stopped. Ginger is a better option in my opinion. God have mercy on us with all the useless medicines we are given and taking daily.
Thought I’d put an update on this. Finally had my mri yesterday and got through it ok. I am claustrophobic so was quite nervous. Decided to shut eyes before going in and focused on keeping still. Have to say I am proud of myself!
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