Chest pains 9 months after heart attack

[Ptjet]

I had a heart attack and stent fitted last October and have been pretty good ever since. I’ve lost weight and started playing golf again. Things were good but then had bad chest pains 2 nights ago. I used GTN spray but was very dizzy, almost passed out and had severe sweating. By the time the ambulance came I was feeling a bit better and the ecg was normal. However I’m completely shook up and had a couple of minor pains during the night. I don’t know whether I’m worrying unnecessarily. Has anyone else had similar?

[TheBearB55]

My cardiac specialist doctor, the cardiac nurse AND my GP all told me that if I had occasion to use my GTN spray when I was resting, I should treat it as an emergency and do as you did - call an ambulance.

If I was in your position, I would contact the cardiac specialist doctor for advice. (S)he may suggest you get a scan to see what's going on. Possibly an ultrasound (echo cardiogram).

Merely "FYI" I've had to use my GTN spray a few times, but always when I've been walking hard.

[LSCE]

Hello,

My advice would be to endure your cardiologist is aware of new onset angina, especially occurring at rest. Also, given your history I would have thought a blood test for cardiac enzyme levels within hours after a significant episode of angina at rest with other symptoms you mentioned.

[-007-]

Hi Ptjet,

I had similar to you.

After a heart attack i took GTN on numerous occasions with no problem other than the headache that soon goes (typical of GTN).

I then had five stents and was feeling great for around 8 months, then I started getting angina symptoms again.

On one occasion I needed to take my GTN and I started feeling like I was going to pass out. My sight went blurry and I felt weak. Then I blacked out but my wife said I appeared to be having something like a seizure. Apparently I was shouting and then I went quiet.

I woke to find my wife on the phone to 999 and moments later a first response paramedic was coming through the door. Not long after an ambulance turned up.

After an examination they found all was fine but I had obviously had an "event".

I was taken to hospital and had blood tests but was released late evening and got a taxi back home.

What I couldn’t understand was… I had taken GTN loads of times when out walking uphill with no real effect other than relieving angina symptoms.

Anytime I took GTN after that I made sure I was sitting down. I never had a repeat of that event.

I was told that it could have been the interaction of the GTN with other medication like Bisoprolol.

However, I did, eventually, go onto having a quintuple bypass.

I asked my wife if I had said anything I shouldn’t have whilst blacked out. She said not really… only that I loved her so much that I promised would wash the dishes from now on. I said don’t be silly😂😂😂😂

-007- (currently putting on pink marigold gloves to wash the dishes)

[Killoch]

Yes! Try not to worry, you're still raw and it is as much mental as physical. Slightest pain causes you a little bit of fear and you the other posters are right, if you're resting and require to take your spray - get help. It's not easy but as time moves on, you come to accept things a little more. In my head, I'm still 16 even though at 55, I feel 70 just now....

[Newpatient1]

I had 3 heart attacks last month.I had 5 blockages ranging from 65%to 100%.

The one that I went in on was "the widowmaker".

Apparently I ignored the first too and stayed at home. I had 2 stents put in and they cleared the 3rd 85% blockage.

I have been having random "flashing pains" since.

They usually pass..and do not feel anything like the pain during heart attack although they are in the same spot.

I had right side pain in both chest and arm. When I went to er..I actually thought I was having a lung issue from where my pain was located. I was really surprised to be on the operating table 20 minutes after entering er!