It’s been 10 weeks since the birth of my son where I had an SVT during my c section which I have never experienced before since that day I have been suffering with chest pain that feels like a poke or a stab, upper back pain, pain in left armpit, pain in left shoulder blade and left rib that feels like a pinch but the pain only comes a few seconds at a time but is on and off all day and happens more at rest and my heart will sometimes wake me up from sleep and feel like I’m passing out so I will wake up I was tachycardic through pregnancy and still am so I was put on bisoprolol which i switched to propranolol I’ve been having several palpitations a day which feels like a thump i have had all the tests done which say I’m fine and keep being told it’s just anxiety but I’m tired of being told that because I know it isn’t ! Does anyone have any suggestions I’m 99% sure I will have a heart attack soon but doctors won’t believe me because of my age but I’ve heard being pregnant is like a stress test for the heart.
Chest pain: It’s been 10 weeks since... - British Heart Fou...
Chest pain
Can you go private? I did in spring of 2019 (different circumstances, mainly owing to my sense of urgency overriding my willingness to wait for heart investigations I knew I needed). The private cardiologist put me on his NHS list so in the end I was 'only' out of pocket at just under £1000 - money I hated dipping into savings for but would much more have hated potential consequences from any delay in investigating my chest pain.
I knew I was in heart trouble and urgently needed investigation so really, I would have taken out a loan or borrowed from family or friends if I hadn't the money in savings.
Money well spent, I was fast tracked thanks to going private. I had an appointment with the cardiologist the day after I telephoned, had a chest x-ray within an hour of our first meeting. The x-ray led to an urgent echocardiogram that discovered the problem (and a few I wasn't aware of), and as above, led to him putting me on his NHS list - marked 'urgent'.
Please let us know how you get on.
Hi, I think I may go private at this point although I have had all the tests done accept for an angiogram which is what I think I need really can I ask what your chest pains feel like?
I have multiple heart conditions including recurrent pericarditis and (presumed) microvascular angina - not suggesting you have the same conditions but my symptoms are quite similar to yours.
You say you've had everything but an angiogram so I'm assuming you've had: resting and stress ECGs, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, what were the results of those?
Not all heart conditions show up on those tests and even on an angiogram (my standard angio disclosed 'crystal clear' coronaries but my symptoms continued), cardiac catheterisation or cardiac MRI for that matter - I write 'presumed' about the MVA owing to the queue for the definitive diagnostic been quite long plus my immediate response to the treatment (1.25mg Bisoprolol beta blocker plus 300mg aspirin once daily with an additional permitted as needed 600mg aspirin daily for pain - I have an exceptionally high tolerance for aspirin). I'm doing quite well on the beta blocker+aspirin+lifestyle adjustments regime, so well there is no sense of urgency to fast-track me for the definitive diagnostic.
The definitive diagnostic for MVA is an angiogram with acetylcholine provocation, the standard angio doesn't use the provocation so the condition is often missed with the standard but discovered with the angio using the provocation.
Usually the results of initial investigative testing (ECG, x-ray, echo) decide if the patient is referred on for more invasive testing like an angiogram, standard or with provocation.
What does your medic say? Were you referred to the Rapid Access Chest Pain unit, seen by a cardiologist, then 'discharged back' to your GP?
Also, sadly, very very sadly, women with heart complaints often feel 'fobbed off' especially younger women.
I’ve had 3 echos, loads of ECGs, 2 chest x rays, a CT scan of my lungs, 3 holter monitors and having a stress test in May but everything came out fine but I just know something is wrong and it just feels like it’s getting worse everyday but I have no idea what’s happening anymore my cardiologist doesn’t let me get a word in edge ways
Milkfairy has made a very good suggestion I hope you take up - the BHF Heart Helpline nurses are very helpful and telephoning them tomorrow during their opening hours may prove extremely helpful to you. The following is the link to their contact details page:
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
ETA: please let us know how you get on. This should be one of the happiest times of your life with the new baby and the on-going heart health worries are taking away from that.
Im wondering if you have coronary atrey spasms also known as Vasospasmic Angina. I was recently diagnosed with this condition and your symptoms sound familiar. Look it up on the BHF site . Good luck
This is what I think it is but because of my age they won’t bother checking what did you have done that showed you had this?
There is another condition which is more common in women who have just had a baby.Spontaneous coronary artery dissection SCAD.
Vasospastic angina and SCAD are types of non obstructive coronary artery disease.
The BHF has this information about the conditions.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
I suggest you give the BHF helpline a call and speak to one of the Cardiac nurses.
I would also ask your GP to refer you to the Rapid chest pain clinic.
Is this still possible if it’s been 10 weeks ?
There is a support group for people living after experiencing a SCAD
Like Vasospastic angina it is often overlooked and under recognised.
Hopefully the cardiac nurses on the BHF helpline can help advise you too.
Hi , I see Milkfairy has replied to you, she is very knowledgeable in this subject and offers very good advice . I had 2 angiograms.
Good luck .
👍
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