Early morning chest pain

[Worvera]

Hello I’m newly diagnosed with angina and there’s a pattern of waking with chest pain around 5am. The spray helps and I manage to go back to sleep but sometimes I have another episode when I get up later. Is this common?

[shopman]

Have you told your GP/Cardiologist about this? Do you have someone who lives with you & if so do you have to wake them up?

[Worvera in reply to shopman]

I don’t wake anyone up I have my spray and take my mononitrate tablet. Today I got it again around 8 so had to take spray again (and I took my aspirin) Should I be telling my GP? Thanks for responding 😊

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Being woken with chest pain between 12 midnight and 6am is a common symptom of vasospastic angina.It can also happen with microvascular angina but much less so.

I live with vasospastic angina and I have most of my angina at rest, typically evening, in the night and as I wake in the morning.

Have you been seen by a Cardiologist and had any tests to determine what is causing your symptoms?

[Worvera]

Thank you. I’m apparently on the waiting list for cardiology but I’ve no idea how long it is. Ten years ago I had the angiography and it showed a slightly blocked vessel but nothing that needed a stent. I’m just assuming it’s coming from that.

[shopman in reply to Worvera]

Think I would be asking your GP if there was a Rapid Access Chest Clinic local to you.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Worvera]

I agree with Shopman.

Ask your GP to refer you to the Rapid Chest Pain Clinic.

Angina whether it is caused by a blockage or vasospasms needs prompt treatment.

[shopman]

I would suggest any episode of Angina coming on when not exerting yourself & in particular when in bed at rest needs further investigation. Fortunately your preventative medication seems to help you but for me I would be explaining this to your GP ASAP. It could be you need further investigation or even a tweak to your medication.

[Worvera in reply to shopman]

Thank you so much for your input. I always feel reticent about contacting medics. I’ll let my GP know 😊

[Clerkenweller]

I had the same experience. This was post stent. The incidence increased and I had to push to get my meds sorted. They were and I’ve had no problems for two years. Bluntly you need to pester your GP for the Rapid Access Clinic to see a cardiologist. And if the frequency and severity of the attacks increases go to A&E. One should not be diffident when it comes to health.

[Danny462]

Two years ago I was waking at 2 and 3:in the morning with chest pain and was referred to rapid chest pain clinic and diagnosed with angina. then a week and half later went for angiogram and had four stents fitted now on four pills per day and feel great but permanently tired but no chest pain I walk four miles most days.