Best supplements for angina

[gasp1]

Can anyone please pass any experience of taking magnesium and garlic supplements after being diagnosed with angina I am trying to do my upmost to get on top of i as it is making me depressed not being able to be as active as I use to be use to regularly take part in triathlons and swimming events trying to get motivated and break the psychological side of things

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello gasp1

I see from your previous posts that you have been diagnosed with Microvascular angina?

Microvascular and vasospastic angina are types of non obstructive coronary artery disease NOCAD and can be challenging to treat and live with.

One of the problems is that there is still a lack of knowledge of how to treat patients with NOCAD.

I have lived with vasospastic angina for nearly 10 years.

Before taking any medication or supplement, I look at the research and then discuss this with my Cardiologist. He's very open minded, he practices yoga and encourages me to use non pharmacological techniques to manage my angina as well as taking my many medications.

I decided not to take any supplements other than vitamin D. There was insufficient evidence. I am also wary of taking anything that may trigger my vasospasms.

Are you seeing a Cardiologist who has some expertise and understanding of treating patients with Microvascular angina?

If not perhaps ask for a referral to a specialist to review your medication. It can be trial and error to find the best combination of medication that will help you best.

The emotional fall out of a life changing diagnosis can be profound.

I had some support from a Clinical psychologist, perhaps ask your GP to refer you?

There are quite a few of us on the forum who live with microvascular or vasospastic angina.

Hopefully they will be along to share their experiences with you too.

[gasp1 in reply to Milkfairy]

Morning, Thanks for the reply I seem to be passed from one consultant to a another the at the minute my last two appointments have been done over the phone where I have just been asked if I still have symptom and then get told we will speak with you in 4 months it’s all a bit confusing.

I try to do everything by diet but am currently getting no relief I seem to be tight Chested all the time I was hoping that I could find something that would help relive this.

As I have put before I was very active and not am restricted in what I can do and it is also is having an impact on work so does mess with the mind 😬

I will revisit my GP and speak to them there appears to be very little knowledge of things out there which is worrying

Again many thanks for your reply 👍

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to gasp1]

Where in the UK are you?

There is a trial taking place into a possible new treatment for Microvascular angina, The Prize Study.

clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...

The various trial centres have Cardiologists who have some understanding of Microvascular and vasospastic angina.

I am fortunate that I have a supportive knowledgeable Cardiologist. I see him face to face twice a year and can email him when necessary. Usually to tell him I need to be admitted.

This research article has just been published which is a useful summary.

bmj.com/content/375/bmj-202...

[gasp1 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks for that will take a look I am in manchester for my sins

[Worvera]

Hello gasp1. I am still learning to live with Microvascular Angina too so know how debilitating it is. I have learned to approach life differently but it hasn’t been easy. Alongside the many meds I take, by having a strict low cholesterol diet and avoiding alcohol I feel I have improved recently. I do use garlic in my menus but not in supplement form. My exercise is gentle as I don’t have the stamina that I used to have. I can understand how frustrating this must all be for you when you’re used to having such an active lifestyle. I am a psychotherapist myself and have had to have some counselling to help me adjust to my new life but I feel that I am improving over the months. This forum is a great support and I get more useful information from here than anywhere else. I would always check with your practice pharmacist before adding any supplements to your prescribed meds. Good luck and take care 😊

[gasp1 in reply to Worvera]

Thanks for that think every day is a learning day 😬

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Hi gasp (nice one!). You also mention your motivation and wanting to get active again. It can be depressing, the difference between what you used to do, and more limited efforts, now.I see you have addressed many dietary issues, in some detail, and I wonder what approach you are taking with psychological issues? Loss of our old, active selves can make some feel very helpless, even depressed. It did me!

[gasp1]

Hi, I do try to meditate each day and also have a reflexology massage once a month, I also stay away from TV as this can impact my thought process nothing worse than 24 hours in a and e or gp behind closed doors on tv. I swear my music I love any genre of music (to a degree 😬) and am quite happy sitting with my headphone in. My go to thing to see stress was triathlon which would get me out on in open doors and fresh air now a 3 k walk to the next village for coffee is about all I manage. I know a lot is mind set and training mind to be a bit more positive upwards and onwards 😬

[Qualipop]

I asked my GP if it was safe to take magnesium as I have fibromyalgia which can cause a deficiency. He agreed so I started 2 months ago. As yet i can see absolutely no benefit from it but no apparent side effects. Be careful which variety you take as some can cause diarrhoea.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

You are very impressive! Really doing lots for yourself. One thing you don’t mention is counselling? Have you tried that kind of help? I got a lot out of it, in spite of my natural cynicism! It really helped me manage the repeated set-backs I get. How to pick myself repeatedly, and each time it happens.Only a thought.

[gasp1]

Not tried that as yet but it is something that is being looked into through work at the minute by my occy health department hopefully will have some input in the next 3 months 😬