Once again I'm praising the NHS

I had a HA and angioplasty four months ago and apart from a couple of hiccups life has been good.

I've suffered from indigestion pains since the angioplasty, yesterday I could feel them above and below my heart as well as across my shoulders......this morning the pains were still in the same area, it also felt like somneone had put their hand on my left chest and was slightly pressing....obviously that got me a bit worried.

I called 111 who transfered me to 999, within 5 minutes of putting the phone down there was an ambulance with its blue lights flashing outside the house.

The service I received from the paramedics was outstanding. They spent the best part of 45 minutes with me, they must have done 6 ECG's in that time, resting ECG's, ECG's afer walking at a fast pace around the house for 5 minutes, my oxygen saturation was measured at several points as well as BP taken several times.....they listened to my heart several times and carried out a good physical examination.

The good news is that the ECG's showed that my heart is working perfectly and they think the problem is one of indigestion, they did offer to take me to hospital for blood checks.

It's so annoying and worrying that indigestion pains present in the same was as a HA does.

Thanks NHS.

[Hidden]

I have the same problem. In the 18 months since my heart attack I don't think there's been a day where I have not had chest or abdominal pain. I don't think it's angina as they are short sharp stabbing pains and very unlike the heart attack.

I don't think it's a coincidence either though and I wonder to what extent the cocktail of medications can contribute towards it. That said, I'm now just on aspirin but have a suspected condition that aspirin is known to be an aggravating factor for.

I hope you find some relief. If your health improves and the meds get reduced, maybe you'll see some general improvement.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Supafil, I'm generaly feeling great, I'm doing two Fitsteps classes a week, ballroom dancing twice a week, I started the Cardiac rehabilitation program last week, I went straight in at level 2 and my heartbeat hardly rose above 100 and was well within my targeted area, my BP is magic......the only issue is an occasional diziness when standing up and these ongoing indigestion pains.....sometimes I pray for a good burp or three!!

[Hidden]

Are you taking Aspirin? If so are you on Omeprazole or similar?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi, been taking Aspirin since I was diagnosed with angina 8 years ago. I was on Omeprazole, my Doctor changed this to Lansoprazole after my HA due to the indigestion my cocktail of medicines post HA was giving me.....there was a slight relief in the indigestion symptons when went on to the Lansoprazole.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Good that you are on something to protect your stomach from the Aspirin, not so good if you still get indigestion like symptoms, I suggest you speak to your GP and see what they suggest. Maybe Enteric Coated Aspirin!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Gaz, I have a review next week at my Doctors for Heart Disease I'll mention it.

[Heather1957]

John I hope you are right, I had a bypass back in 2017, A couple of weeks ago I started having angina type pains and after ringing my GP he sent me to the local A & E. Having suffered angina I knew this was the same pain and even though a couple of the Drs in A & E insisted it was a digestive problems I kept saying it was the same as the pains I had pre bypass.All the ECG's (3) and blood tests showed was I hadn't had a heart attack (which I never thought I had) I was also given an Echo which showed my heart was all working fine.

In the meantime I was given Gaviscon and Lansoprazole (for the digestion) Eventually the cardiac Doctor at the hospital referred me for an angiogram based on my/family history.

On Friday I had the Angiogram which resulted on 2 stents being fitted by means of a rotablation (drill) and I have been since told it was serious!

I am fully behind the NHS but sometimes the tests they do won't show what is going on in the arteries.

If the pain continues insist that you see a cardiologist to be absolutely sure.

[Hidden in reply to Heather1957]

Thanks Heather, I most certainly will. Its advice like that that makes this forum so useful.

[MountainGoat52]

Reading your post suggested to me that the problem is indigestion. I would certainly ask for a coated aspirin and see if this solves the problem. Another of your medications may be the cause of the problem, either in combination with aspirin or on its own. I would also not rule out the PPI being part of the problem.

[Qualipop]

I agree, it's a huge worry. The ONLY symptom of my heart attack for two days was horrific indigestion and burping. It was only when my arm started to tingle that I suspected anything was wrong. The indigestion pain was all in my back. I still worry if I ever get indigestion.

[Hidden]

Bang on Qualipop, I was exactly the same when I had my HA, I've got a call booked with my GP this afternoon, hopefully a change in my "perfect cocktail" of medicines will make a difference.

[Hidden]

I spoke to my GP who in the short term has prescribed Gaviscon, he asked me to contact my cardiologists secretary and explain the situation to her for intervention by the cardiologist....if they fail to respond I have to let my GP know and he will take action.