Hi,just joined so please be gentle! I’m a 51 year old woman.
After having chest pains for about a year,I finally went to the doctors about 3 months ago. The ECG and blood tests were fine,but the nurse gave me GTN spray due to my symptoms and referred me to the hospital. My Mum also had angina, so another reason she referred me. I’m still waiting to see a specialist (it’s a telephone appointment next month) but getting concerned about my symptoms.
I’ve had to use the GTN spray 4 times in about 5/6 weeks. On all 4 occasions,I had to use it twice as the pain wouldn’t subside. I used it this morning and after the 2nd shot,I nearly passed out-the colour literally drained from me and I started to shake.
The pain comes on like a wave across my chest until it feels tight. It has so far gone away after a few minute ,but I’m worried it’s going to lead up to a full on heart attack. It’s always when I’m resting and never after any exercise. If sometimes wakes me up during the night/early morning.
Daft question-but how can you tell the difference between an angina attack and the start of a heart attack and would I know the difference? Im wondering at what stage do you dial 999
Thank you-any advice would be welcome on what’s normal and what isn’t!
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Kittycat52
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I was diagnosed with angina 8 years ago and my angina only came on when exerting myself.....it came on when I was walking and talking, a pain in my left arm and jaw, ache across the chest and my saliva production went into overtime mode.I saw my GP and the next day I had an appointment at a rapid access chest pain clinic where they diagnosed angina, I was put in a cocktail of medicines.
A life style change that made me look at diet and exercise rid me of the symptoms and only occasionally did I have an attack of angina and a quick spray of GTN resolved the issue.
Then 6 months ago I had a couple of days of feeling unwell.....I still did the gardening, cleaned the gutters and went to the gym thinking I'd work through it....I didn't, I just felt poorly.
I called 111 for advice, they sent an ambulance, an hour later I was in hospital and being told I'd had a heart attack..... I stayed in a week and then I had an angioplasty and two stents fitted to my LAD.
We all have quite different symptoms, if say mine mostly resembled indigestion.
Weirdly,I’ve had in the last month what I thought was like mild indigestion-almost like I’ve got a bit of trapped wind in my ribs,which I can’t recall ever having before.
I’ll maybe keep a diary of what I’m feeling in readiness for my telephone appointment next month with the specialist,though I’m worried a telephone call won’t be enough to diagnose.
Most angina is due to permanent blockages in the coronary arteries.
However other types of angina that effect women more often are microvascular and vasospastic angina.
I suggest you keep a diary of your symptoms.
In particular tell the Cardiologist that you experience your chest pain at rest and it can wake you in the night.
This is a classic symptom of vasospastic angina.
If you find that your chest pain increases in length, frequency or severity, the chest pain is not helped by 3 sprays of GTN 5 minutes apart, call 111.
Women as well as chest pain can have other symptoms like extreme tiredness, their bra feels too tight, feel sick, sweat, pain in their upper left back, stomach pain. A sense of unease.
I have lived with vasospastic angina for nearly 10 years. My only treatment option is with medication.
The BHF has this information about angina which may help.
Thank you so much Milkfairy-I shall do some research tomorrow. A diary definitely sounds like a good plan as it’s hard to get all your points across in a phone call,or even remember half of what’s happened over the past few months!
Dear Kittycat52
Hello and a warm welcome to you, I cannot really add to the already great replies that you have so far received.
All I would like to say is that you are not alone and as your health journey goes ahead we are here to support you in anyway that we can.
Try not to worry { so easy said } soon you will have your results and a plan of recovery .
Just to mention, don't feel using your gtn spray once a week or so is a lot. You can buy gtn over the counter, it relaxes your muscles and helps to ease the blood flow (I'm sure others will be able to explain it better). I used to use gtn BEFORE I had symptoms, but my angina only came on with exercise so that was easier than it is for you. I was told to use whenever I had symptoms and the sooner the better. I'm no expert, but don't feel you have to be in a LOT of pain before you spray.
Your symptoms sound exactly like mine which I have had for 12 months. Milkfairy was incredibly helpful to me so I recommend you follow any advice from MF. Like yours, my chest spasm came on when I was at rest and was only relieved by GTN. It used to be a daily occurrence but now it happens once every 2-3 weeks. Due to Covid delays you might consider paying to see a cardiologist privately after first keeping a diary and reading up as much as you can. An MRI will tell you if your heart is in good shape and an angiogram will tell you if you have any narrowing of the arteries. But don’t worry… everyone panics when they have chest pain but it is manageable using medication.
Incidentally, chest pains are not all cardiovascular related. Oesophagal spasms are also relieved by a GTN spray so if you have acid reflux or any other history of gastro-related discomfort you should mention it to your doctor.
Your symptoms are quite interesting because they are atypical. Apart from the family history of angina, do you suffer from any other condition like diabetes, high blood pressure. Have you had any blood test say for fasting lipids including cholesterol. It seems your symptoms are not so responsive to GTN spray. Yes if the angina is associated with profound sweating, I suggest you proceed to nearest A&E centre.
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