Minoca, 30 yr old male

[Doublechinmask]

Dear all,

I am not sure if I am doing this right but I need someone to talk to.

Anyway,I am 30 yr old male and I was healthy and active throughout my whole life.

Never smoked and drinked and ate healthy.

Weight was always good except I did get to 100 kgs here and there when I stopped doing sports actively(I am 190 cm tall)

I had hiatal hernia issues and they got worse over time.1.5 year ago I had what looked like heart attack.Pain in arm and back,racing and skipping hearbeat etc.Was rushed to Hospital where they confirmed elevated troponin levels.I was in hospital for 12 days and they couldnt find tromb during catheterization.Blood pressure is 120/ 80 and heart rhytm between 50 to 70 bpm at rest.

No cholesterol.

No deaths in family related to heart attack.

Did MRI and everything was great.

They diagnosed MINOCA.

Before this I had experienced heart skipping a beat here and there.Like a big thump in my chest.

After leaving hospital I was in a really bad shape.My hiatal hernia flared up and I am burping whole day every day regardless of what I eat.Heart palpitations became more frequent but sometimes I would get weeks without single one.

Did colonoscopy, gastroscopy and they confirmed 5cm big hiatal hernia and cascading stomach.

I am taking chewable aspirin daily 75 mg and thats it.

My quality of life has gone downhill since then.

As I dont know what happened I always have that posibility of it happening again in my head.

I get scary heart palpitations from time to time.Had holter EKG but cardiologist said palpitations I have are small in numbers and not problematic.

I burp whole day and sometimes I feel this burping is related to heart palpitations.

Also,I was always very tough metally but now I am really anxious,easily startled and I am havig trouble coping with any kind of stress.

I am expecting a baby in few weeks and I want to be back to my old self.Full of energy ,social and active rather than scared,fragile as I am now.

Anyone with similar experience or some good advices?

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

HelloDoublechinmask,

Welcome to the forum.

About 10% of hearts attacks are classified as Myocardial infarction non obstructive coronary arteries MINOCA.

The usual causes, Microvascular dysfunction, vasospastic angina, Spontaneous coronary artery dissection or a blood clot.

Has your Cardiology team been able to determine what the cause of your MINOCA was?

It's important so you can be offered the appropriate treatment if necessary.

Have you been offered Cardiac rehab?

I suggest you discuss how you are feeling with your GP.

Perhaps also give the BHF helpline a call too, and speak to one of the Cardiac nurses.

[Quiltingqueen]

Welcome to the forum Doublechinmask,I too had a MINOCA in July this year. I am a non smoker, do not drink alcohol, am not overweight, and I have low blood pressure. But like you I do have gastro problems, very similar to what you are describing. The only difference is I did have a 'different' pain when I had the heart attack - I knew something was wrong.

I never got answers while I was in hospital, it's difficult to think of everything while you are laying in that hospital bed wired up to a heart monitor. It's when you get home the anxiety starts and you have questions.

I did call the cardiac nurse on the BHF and she was very helpful.

Having gastric problems does muddy the waters a bit.

Try contacting your Cardiac Rehabilitation Team who can support you. It has taken me this time to stop worrying, and I'm sure your mind will be settled as time passes.

I still burp a lot, and can also get oesophagus spasms, which mimic angina.

I hope things settle down for you. Let us know how you get on xx