Hello everyone, I've been around for a 2-3 months and have done a lot of reading but thought it about time to write a post, apologies if it's too long!
I was diagnosed - over the phone - with suspected angina at the end of Nov after a couple of episodes of a burning sensation in my chest in previous months and given a GTN spray, low dose aspirin as well as taking beta-blockers I was already on for migraine prevention. The first 3 days were very scary as I had all sorts of feelings in and around my chest, tightness, pain etc and used my spray 3 times (not sure if it made any difference or it was psychological or coincidence!) and ended up at A&E after a 111 call! My ECG, blood test and blood glucose test all came back as 'normal' so I was sent home, I switched off Dr Google and have barely had a problem since, I do wonder if it was partly anxiety!
I haven't used my spray since then, have a barely perceptible pain if I go uphill too quickly but not at any other time and can easily do my cardio workouts (they aren't strenuous but do get my heart rate up) My only issue is getting out of breath sometimes (not including out for a brisk walk) but it's more I need to take a few deep breaths than being unable to breath if that makes sense.
I had a blood test done that showed my cholesterol is too high so was put on 20mg statins which were put up to 80mg.
I had a call from a cardio nurse (she put the statins up) who said I needed an x-ray, echo and angiogram (there's a 6-9 months wait for that) and had my x-ray a few weeks back which came back as 'normal' and 'are reassuring as they do not show anything to cause concern' so it's waiting for the other results, once I get the appointments.
I'm not quite sure what the x-ray actually shows up in relation to angina and how good it being normal is, I'm guessing it means my actual heart is ok?
The most frustrating thing is not being able to actually talk to anyone about it, is my breathlessness a symptom (that seems to be since starting meds) is this or that pain part of it, what the results of tests mean in more detail etc, all I know I've learnt from the internet, most from here, but that's general not personal to me. I have no idea when I'll get the echo or when I actual get to see someone in person. For now it's a waiting game and I'm just getting on as best I can which I guess is pretty good!
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CC62
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Hi CC,I recognise your thoughts and questions clearly. For me breathlessness while working out were one of the first signs, but I completely ignored them as being out of shape. That's when the stomach upsets started, contractions of the esophagus and eventually chest cramps started. Xray, ecg, and echocardiogram were all normal, but the last test (angiogram) showed 5 blockages.
My advice is to keep your GTN with you at all times and keep track of how quickly you get out of breath. For me it was first steep hills while cycling, then hills when walking then I stopped cycling because it became too tiring and eventually I only was able to walk 100m before experiencing chest pain. Inform your GP about the progress and go to A&E immediately when pain becomes too much.
Good luck, and hope you will have your questions answered soon.
That's what I keep saying, I know I'm not the fittest person which may account for some of my symptoms but I'm aware it's not all down to that. I never go out without my spray but have yet to need it but then I do slow down the minute I think I may be feeling 'something' that might lead to pain, I don't actually get any pain now. I'm very aware I'm getting out of breath more easily but I'm fine once I slow down a little - I do tend to walk briskly.
I do think I've had symptoms for longer than I think as I was on beta blockers for migraine prevention for a year previously to all this and they probably masked early signs.
I've only spoken to my GP twice, that is ever, I seem to keep getting ones that leave or are locums but hopefully I can stick with this one as I like the sound of her!
Just stay on top of your systems and follow the advice regarding medication and the spray. If you use the spray and pain stays then call the emergency services. I had chest pains early last year and ended up with a stent being fitted in August. It took a CT scan of my heart to identify the possible narrowing of my LAD artery and an angiogram to confirm it.I hope all goes well but stay vigilant...
I've not actually been given any advice except for what's on the meds packets or what I've researched, the disadvantage of only having had phone calls! Luckily I've not had any pain or needed to use the spray since November but I make sure I take it on all my walks. I'm trying to make myself aware of any little pain or discomfort now, I've had aches and pains for years and tend to ignore them so am reprogramming myself!
This is my first post as well (does a reply count as a post?) My experience sounds much like yours except it sounds as if waiting times are a bit shorter here (Bristol). I also find it difficult to match my experience to general descriptions and, like you, feel 'exertion' means a few deeper breathes rather than puffing and panting.
After the initial diagnosis I started the medication but again, like you, when some problems went away was it the meds or had I overreacted in the first place? If I noticed symptoms was it because I was more alert to them? I've now had a CT scan, an angiogram and an echocardiogram (each in a different hospital!). Despite originally being doubtful about how serious it really was, the angiogram was pretty decisive and I'm now on the waiting list for a bypass operation.
And, also like you, I'm not spending my time studying heart conditions on the web. I'm doing my best to keep fit, eat a sensible diet, plan ahead (what will I need for a week in hospital?) and getting on with my life. That's something anyone can do - and I don't want being ill to be the centre of my life.
It's very difficult to describe things over the phone and different people have different ideas as to what is pain, an ache, a sensation etc. As you say, I don't think I get breathless in the sense of being out of breath, just needing 2 or 3 deeper breaths and then I'm fine.
The fact things improved overnight with me after my A&E trip I do think maybe anxiety took over a bit. I find I'm more aware of any little ache or pain and wonder if it's heart related but I've had those for years and have learnt to live with and ignore them so it's a case of learning not to!
I am trying to keep fit and eat healthy and as you say, get on with life. I know that if I'm worried at all I can call the doctor or go to A&E but I don't want to keeping worrying and get anxious again so I'm taking the meds and living life as I've always done, if a little better!
I went to the doctor with something else entirely and happened to mention this 'burning' sensation on walking uphill (June 2019) and she immediately referred me to the Rapid Access Clinic. I never got to go as it was when the first lockdown started but spoke to a consultant who said as the pain hadn't recurred he didn't need to see me. I now know that was because I started beta blockers as a migraine prevention around the same time, it was only because I ran out for a few days last Sept, tried to climb a steep hill and had the same sensation, but much stronger, that I put 2 and 2 together and realised the beta blockers were hiding the pain so got back in touch and here we are!
I think I've not been that fit for a long time and probably ignored getting out of breath as just that but now I'm thinking there's more to it.
I had my x-ray quite quickly and I'm sure my echo will be soon, I was amazed at how long the wait was for the angio though.
I don't have a number for the cardia nurse as she is working from home but the doctor, who I've only ever spoken to twice, and on the phone only, seems very nice so I know if I have any worries I can phone her.
Luckily things have settle right down and apart from some shortness of breath on exertion I don't seem to be having any problems but I'm very aware now of any little aches and pains - something I've ignored in the past having had them for so many years! My weight yoyos up and down on a daily basis but I hadn't thought about that so will keep a closer eye on it.
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