I was diagnosed with Microvascular angina earlier this year and my weight is slowly creeping up. I’ve collapsed when out walking on three occasions so I’m leading a very sedentary life in the fear of triggering an attack. I’ve not yet had an appointment with the cardiac nurse so I’m not sure what exercise I can do but I know I have to move more. I’ve always worked to have a healthy weight. I’m not grossly overweight; just don’t want it to escalate. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
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Worvera
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My cardiologist has tentatively diagnosed me as having 'presumed' microvascular angina (MVA) based on symptoms, angiogram showing clear coronaries, and the near immediate relief I had on a once daily Bisoprolol 1.25mg+300mg aspirin. I'm in the Scottish queue for the definitive diagnostic angiogram with acetylcholine provocation but the queue is very long and I'm doing so well on the beta blocker regime that I am constantly dropped to the back of the queue to make way for people with more urgent need.
As for exercise, OH do I know what you mean about not wanting to trigger 'an event' before you've had a chance to speak with the professional! It was a worrying time, I felt as though I was tiptoeing through Life during the wait to get advice on exercise.
When I did speak with the professionals specifically about exercise, the best advice was to be sure to do a good warm-up period (and 'cool down' after), always have the GTN and mobile handy, start very slowly with light free weights in the living room and short ever-increasingly longer walks at a careful pace, and perhaps most importantly, to know my walking route including all the places I could sit or at least lean safely whilst using the GTN or 'catching my breath'.
Only YOUR medics know your specifics so it is best to wait until you have got clear guidance from them on when and how to begin an exercise routine to lose/maintain body weight. What works for me (when one of my other conditions isn't acting up) is going to be different for you - your medics may advise swimming or some other routine, any/all based on what they know specifically to you.
Thank so much! I’ve had the definitive tests at the Golden Jubilee Hospital where an attack was initiated whilst I was in the MRI. I am now working towards stabilising through medications (lots of ) but haven’t had any exercise advice at all. I’ll try what you suggest and find a route where there are seats. My last walk involved me having to sit on an abandoned supermarket trolley 🙄😂. I didn’t know about the warm up though so I’ll try some stretches before I go out and see if that helps. I truly appreciate all of the advice on this forum. Take care 😊
Exercise is very important to those of us living with microvascular or vasospastic angina. It improves the function of the inner lining of the blood vessels.
The challenge is that if I physically do too much, I will pay for it later with more chest pain. This delayed response to exercise, is common for people living with microvascular and vasospastic angina.
I get most of my pain at rest, I am often woken in the night.
I suggest a very slow and long warm up before you exercise, followed by a long, slow cool down.
I can't run for a bus to save my life.
All my exercise has to be slow and steady, keeping my heart rate steady and not too fast.
Ask the Cardiac nurse about the BORG score and what your upper heart rate limit should be.
Start slowly and build up what you can do.
Walking, increase the distance gradually overtime.
Tai Chi and Yoga are helpful and good gentle heart exercise as well as helping with your breathing
Swim wearing a wet suit so you kept warm. Only do a few lengths at first.
Cycle, some people use an electric bike.
Don't be tempted to do too much because you feel okay at the time.
Keep a log, try and spot your triggers.
The cold, mental, emotional and physical stress are common triggers.
I know because of the colder weather that I can't exercise as much as usual.
Little and often, be prepared for 2 steps forward and one step back.
It's learning to find the sweet goldilocks spot of just enough exercise without too much angina later.
After 9 years I am still learning 😉
All I am doing at the moment is, walking, yoga and Tai Chi.
Thank you! I too can’t bear the cold so it’s a real push to go outside at all in this weather 🥶 I really can’t believe that I’m saying I’m looking forward to seeing a cardiac nurse! My experiences of collapsing when out for a stroll have really put me off. I haven’t been out for almost three weeks since it last happened when I was out (thankfully with my husband). I’m also conscious of being lazy tbh. I used to enjoy pilates and swimming. Is pilates ok? My local pool has been shut for repairs for a couple of years now so that’s also contributed to my lazy trait! I used to run up mountains when I was in my forties and here I am in my sixties and I cannot run up the stairs😐. I always appreciate your input Milkfairy x
Accessing Cardiac rehab for us as a group of patients is a real problem.
The British Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation , BACPR, is working with the International Heart Spasms Alliance on this very issue.
They have just received some research funding.
Microvascular and vasospastic angina are to be included for the first time in the Angina Plan written by Prof Patrick Dogherty.
That's kind of you. I phoned Professor Colin Berry's secretary and it seems the referral has now gone through to my local hospital for cardiac rehab. I'll let you know how I get on there. I've just had to have a bath to warm up and feel much better than I did earlier. Maybe I should go for a stroll now ..... 🙂
Hi Worvera, I have microvascular dysfunction. Up until my diagnosis I went from running half marathons to struggling to walk upstairs in my home and I gained 3 stone, which I've now lost through a calorie control diet. I'm now on felodipine and rosuvastatin, but when it comes to exercise, my GTN spray is my best friend. I don't go anywhere without it in my pocket. I'm now doing 10k steps a day and running a very slow 5k. I use the spray as a preventative before I exercise, even a walk to the shops and I use it during exercise as soon as I feel the pain in my chest starting. Like other have said, start off really, really slow. In cold weather I wear a face mask as the cold weather triggers the angina so much quicker.
If you haven't already had a GTN spray prescribed, make certain that you get one, along as another one in reserve.What triggers your angina attacks, do they just suddenly spring up on you or do they gradually hit you with a bang of pain?
I know where you are coming from with your increase in weight, initially I had the very same problem and found I had to ruthlessly watch my diet (or in truth, my wife did) with no naughty things, most especially sugar or fatty foods.
Have you had any full recent blood tests, if so what are they like and are they showing any signs of anything that you need to keep an eye on?
For me, my ticker problems are all directly related to the fact that my lungs have not been working as well as they should have been, I was diagnosed with late onset Asthma after I had the Bronchial Pneumonia which triggered all of my heart problems and now I know that my lungs are still underperforming by occasionally not supplying enough oxygen in the blood.
So for you, from where I am sitting, you need to ruthlessly watch your weight and you need to make certain that you have some appointments with people who should know.
Thanks for your input 😊 I have now got an appointment with the cardiac nurse so fingers crossed that I will be properly assessed there. I see the practice nurse every three weeks to monitor my vitals so I may ask her to also monitor my weight as an incentive. So far I’ve gained 7 pounds but that’s also a consequence of lock down and still working from home. Take care, it sounds like your wife is a great support 😊
One of the problems I find with the current NHS is being fobbed off with appointments with specialist nurses rather than very highly qualified consultants. As for your weight control or rather your diet which is possibly causing your problem, it is only you that is in control, you need to cut out all the things that you like which are naughty........ I am oh so very fortunate in having my singularly most amazing Wonderous (as I call her) to look after me and yes she does have food hygiene and nutrition skills, but all she is doing is making certain that I eat sensibly.....
Me too diagnosed 4 months ago. Am sticking to Mediterranean diet and dog walks twice a day always taking my spray with me … I am planning to get back to yoga soon I do a few stretches and movements to raise heart rate each day only ten minutes maybe. Swimming is a good all rounder or just walking a bit faster than usual for short spurts then walking at your own pace to ‘recover’. My main problem has been my heart rate dropping too low (it has always been normal) and drs now thinking am over medicated - hoping that reducing meds will sort it out
Good luck - hopefully you will get your appointment soon, I haven’t heard from the hospital since discharged but am waiting to hear from them too for advice. I have relied on the internet for info so far x
There are quite a few us on the forum who live with either microvascular and/or vasospastic angina.
I have lived with coronary vasospasms for over 9 years. I have spasms in my small and large blood vessels.
How was your microvascular angina diagnosed?
The BHF website has some information about microvascular angina.
You might find this website helpful. It was created by 4 patients with over 50 years combined experience of living with microvascular and or vasospastic angina.
They are supported by over 25 world expert Cardiologists.
Yes it does seem to take time to get the right cocktail of drugs for us as individuals. You sound as if you’re doing well with exercise. I do take the gtn spray with me and use it before leaving. Good luck with your progress 😊
I do that pre-exercise GTN thing in summer, for some reason I'm fine with cold weather but summer heat shreds me. As long as I do a pre-warm-up GTN spritz in the summer, however, I manage well enough.
So far (two+years on) I haven't need it in winter. The cardiologist is starting to say he thinks it may be the recurrent pericarditis causing me to be the weird MVA person who doesn't do summer well but thrives during winter.
I am currently fully dressed with layers on and under my duvet trying to defrost. I just feel like hibernating. The thought of going outside for a walk feels as appealing as walking over glass right now. Bring back the sunshine for me 😔x
Hello, it's good that you have been referred to your cardio team, mine has a nutritionist, how about keeping a food diary for when you go and see them to see if they can help that way in regards your weight.
That’s a really good idea! I actually think my weight gain is more about moving less than what I eat. I’ve always been keen on watching my diet but yes I could probably find some hidden calories there. Thank you 😊
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