I am new to this forum and wonder if anyone can cast any light on my symptoms. Saw GP at the end of August last year with breathlessness on exercise and she diagnosed possible angina. Only 3 weeks before I had spent a whole day working on my allotment but by the time I went to the GP I was struggling to walk up the slightest incline. She referred me to the consultant. ECGs fine. I had echocardiogram, CT angiogram. Blood flow fine and only moderate blockage in one artery. They discovered incidental POA but consultant wasn’t particularly worried by this. Mind you I’ve only ever talked to him for 5 mins by phone!
My history: both my brother (heavy smoker) and my dad (overweight) had heart attacks and heart bypass ops in their early 50s. I am 68, was fit and active non smoker. Silent stroke however discovered 5 years ago. I have been on clopidogerel since then but have felt fine.
Now with the new diagnosis of possible angina, I have GTN spray and am also on Isosorbide mononitrate tablets (10g x2) and Bisoprolol plus Atorvastatin. ( I had to stop taking 2 bisoprolol as my blood pressure went so low and felt faint in the mornings).
My dilemma is that despite the meds and the blood flow being ok and obstruction minimal, my symptoms are severe. I struggle to walk far and have to go very slowly. Housework is difficult too, as is lifting anything. My chest is very tight a lot of the time, even when resting. . I don’t get severe chest pain as I’m being v careful, but it is there from time to time.
This has severely impacted my life - now having to contemplate giving up my allotment and environmental work. Oh and I’m a carer for my partner.
What could be going on given they can’t find much obstruction? Micro vascular angina? I will get another consultation with hospital but goodness knows when. I may get an ordinary angiogram “if still getting symptoms”. I am!
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MrsTree
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Lot's of members on here have so much knowledge and will be able to give you a better answer
But if it were me I would be talking with my Doctor and asking for them to see if they can get you a quicker appointment as you can no longer do what you used to and tell them what is happening , let them know your symptoms have got worse
I have and still am struggling and finding these wonderful people that understand and are so supportive has been one of the most helpful things I have come across to try and help me
Keep coming on always someone to reply and it helps to know you are not alone x
I have lived with vasospastic angina for nearly 10 years
I have unobstructed coronary arteries, however the blood vessels of my heart go into temporary transient constrictions, vasospasms.
Microvascular dysfunction the more common cause of microvascular angina, is when the smaller blood vessels in the heart fail to dilate or stay dilated when you exercise.
This leads to chest pain and breathlessness.
The BHF has this information about microvascular and vasospastic angina.
Thank you. I think a lot of conditions that mainly affect women are little understood or researched. Perhaps I’ll see if I can find a consultant with this specialism. I’d almost prefer a blockage as at least something could be done! It’s good to know there are people here who know about these things.,
It took me sometime to get my diagnosis. Unfortunately while there is more awareness about microvascular and vasospastic angina, there are still precious few Cardiologists who have the expertise to care for thus group of patients.
Where in the UK are you based?
There is a research study taking place into a possible new treatment for microvascular angina.
I’m in South Yorkshire so it looks like that trial is unfortunately not near me. Thank you fir the other website. It looks very helpful. Suck kindness!
My fault! It’s PFO not POA and I hadn’t heard of it either! It’s a hole between the chambers and usually not of any significance.
Dear MrsTree
Fantastic name that I’m sure has a story behind it.
Hello and a big welcome to you.
In your case I can only be apart of your welcome team as I’m not medically trained nor do I suffer with what ails you.
So I waving the welcome flag for you and saying that you are not alone.
If there is anything we can do in helping to support you, please just let us know, you will come across a vast range of knowledge on here, both medically and mentally all to help and support you.
Thank you. Have had a CT angiogram but may have a proper one. I’d welcome a stent if it would work for me. Yes am seeing my GP and she has been juggling my meds but they haven’t helped me yet.
Even though I have lived with Refractory vasospastic angina for nearly 10 years, I don't accept that there is no treatment or support available.
The problem is a lack of knowledge about microvascular and vasospastic angina within the Cardiology world. Along with an unconscious bias about women heart patients.
It took me time and persistence to get my diagnosis. I had a specialised angiogram.
I now have a written admission protocol to guide the staff how to care for me when I am admitted. I am usually in hospital for a week once a year.
I have support from the Pain Management Team.
My Cardiologist is supportive and I am able to email him when I need to.
It is important to arm yourself with information.
Sometimes it's necessary to help Cardiologists to update their knowledge.
Please do keep ' plugging away'
There are several of us on the forum who live with either microvascular or vasospastic angina who will be along to share their experiences with you.
Hello MrsTree,Your story sound similar to mine, i am 62 with a family history of heart disease, my own heart attack with cardiac arrest in 2017, stents to 3 arteries. Good recovery until unstable angina started quite suddenly in 2020. Had all the tests, angio, echo, 24hr ecg, chest CT scan, CT angio, further angio (which caused a huge clot) and finally nuclear PET scan. Cardiologists have concluded that although I have a narrowing in the LAD, the blood flows in the heart are OK. So they don't think that the cause is the narrowing or microvascular. The reason for angina isunexplained and they termed it Refractory Angina. My symptoms are similar to yours.
Looking at your meds there is a long way for you to go yet with the levels of medication, my own meds are ivabradine (in place of bisoprolol), ramipril, amlodipine, isosorbide 120mg, Nicorandil, plus the usual statins, aspirin and lanzaprasole.
I have found that the Nicorandil has helped, since I started taking it in August I have been free of the unstable angina attacks, but still have the breathlessness and dizziness that you
describe.
Keep pressuring your doctor to ensure that you get the treatment that you need. If you don't they will forget about you. As you say these symptoms have a severe impact on your quality of life. I have given up DIY tasks, gardening, regular sports, and hill walking. We have downsized to a modern house.
I have had numerous trips to A&E and have spent thousands on private consultations and tests before finally getting this taken seriously by an eminent cardiologist.
After the first angiogram, the cardiologist told me my heart was fine and I should see a chest man. I paid to see a chest man privately who said to me that with my cardiac history he was 99% certain it was my heart. We did the chest CT scan anyway and found that the lungs were clear and capacity is better than average for a person of my age and height. He sent me to see a more experienced cardiologist who agreed that my heart is most likely cause and put me on a path to the treatment I currently have.
Learning point for me is to question the doctors findings and do not be afraid to seek a second or third opinion!
Good luck, and I hope that you start to feel better soon.
Hi - I ran out of puff last year after a life of being very active. Literally couldn’t walk 10 steps without getting chest pain or needing to ‘have a little sit’. Dr Google diagnosed angina but tests didn’t reveal too much. I pushed to see the cardiologist my ex saw and she was sufficiently worried to refer me for a angiogram in early December. Outcome: 90% blockage to RCA and 2 stents! I now feel fabulous, am doing some cardiac rehab and changing my diet- all before I turn 61 in a couple of weeks. Take home: Self advocate. Trust your instincts. Good luck! ❤️🩹
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