Unstable Angina

[JuneD53]

Hi all. Your support and comments are so appreciated.

Husband ambulanced A&E again. Same scenario as last time. .. Bloods showed raised troponin levels. They waited and took another test and fell into acceptable level as before. Sent home no advice at all. Gp appointment not till 11th January. Unstable angina and no support. Had to stop private route as angiogram £2000 and then stents £8000. Private cardiologist sending report to gp for nhs referral. Feel they're playing russian roulette with his life i. e wait till heart attack. Delays now due to festive period. Any ideas? Best wishes for health and safety. X

[Chappychap]

"Feel they're playing russian roulette with his life i. e wait till heart attack."

I appreciate how stressful this must be, but it would be a mistake to think that if only your husband had stents then all his problems would be over.

Stents may provide relief from the symptoms of angina, and they can be an absolute lifesaver when used to clear a blockage during a heart attack. But there's very little evidence that stents actually prevent future heart attacks or improve life expectancy when fitted on an elective basis. This may be why cardiologists sometimes appear not to be progressing this as quickly as the patient may wish,

Far more significant than stents in terms of adjusting the "russian roulette" odds, are medication and life style changes. Has your husband been prescribed heart medication and is he working towards living a healthier life? Incidentally, the BHF (who sponsor this forum) have some great advice about implementing the most important life style changes.

Good luck!

[JuneD53 in reply to Chappychap]

You can't imagine how helpful your reply is. I can't thank you enough for taking the time. Advice and your experience is so helpful. We need to to calm down and absorb information and find coping mechanisms. Thank you so much.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Chappychap has given you some very good advice already.

I have lived with a rare type of unstable angina for nearly 10 years. My only treatment option is medication.

When my angina becomes so unstable and my usual coping strategies no longer work. I go into hospital for treatment with IV GTN.

I have raised troponin and ECG changes.

There are many aspects of my angina that I cannot control.

However I can do things to avoid triggering an attack.

Eg. Avoiding the cold, covering my nose and mouth when I go out.

Manage my stress and anxiety.

If your husband has a GTN spray encourage him to use it as the chest pain begins, don't tough it out.

Keeping calm and doing breathing exercises can help.

I use the same relaxation techniques I used to help me when I was having my children.

Managing the fear is the hardest part. I know! If you can stay calm it turns the volume down on the pain.

If your husband needs to use his GTN spray more than 3 times every 5 or 10 minutes then it's time to call 111 or 999 for further advice.

Has your GP referred your husband to the Rapid chest pain clinic?

Good luck!

[JuneD53]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. The insight you've given into this condition is invaluable. My husband hasn't been referred anywhere so we will look into your advice. You're experience is so valuable although I'm so sorry you have to deal with it every day. I wish you peace and happiness.