Concerned

[No-peep]

Have started to meet a friend ona Friday... 4month post mild heart attack conseq left with angina. Going round the shops i start to feel slightly nauseas with needle pin pricks in centre if chest. Goes away when i sit down. Does this mean that it is too much for me. Would appreciate suggestions. Thanks

[Heather1957]

Does the spray stop the symptoms? Did you need stents after the HA.

It may be worth having a chat to your GP or cardiac nurse about these symptoms and getting some advice.

[No-peep in reply to Heather1957]

No i didn't need stents and heart muscle not damaged. I didn't use spray as not sure if symptoms warranted use of gtn.... I don't (reluctant to use it as no pain, just little needle like sensation). Thanks for your reply and will speak to the gp.

[Heather1957 in reply to No-peep]

I never used the spray but one of the cardiac doctors made a good point when he asked if I used the spray and I said I didn't as if I rested the pain stopped. He explained that if it had worked it would show that the pain was likely to be angina.Luckily I stopped having angina pain after my stents were fitted but I had a fear of using it because of rumours, so I actually tried it and it was fine.

You can buy the spray over the counter at a pharmacy so you won't cause any problems by using it whether you think it warrants it or not, it will help establish what is causing the problem.

Until you know what is causing the problem it is difficult to say if you are overdoing it and I do hope a visit to the shops with your friend isn't to much for you.

Good luck.

[No-peep in reply to Heather1957]

Thankyou. If it happens again I will use the spray and see if it takes symptoms away.

[Heather1957 in reply to No-peep]

At least you'll know if it helps, good luck.

[No-peep in reply to Heather1957]

Thanks for your concern. Take care

[Daveena]

I had a heart and stroke in August, I blame my local Dr's surgery and Durham hospital for this, as you can imagine I am very annoyed. Are you on that medication for life.

[No-peep in reply to Daveena]

I am on a few tabs plus gtn for life. Sorry to hear about your hospital experience. Take care

[Daveena in reply to No-peep]

I had a pulmonary embolism in October 2020, I was on rivaroxaban and bisodrol, that why I said be weary about what Dr's tell you.

[No-peep in reply to Daveena]

Don't understand what the medicine you mentioned. I am on clopidogrel, aspirin astovastatin and allopurinol. I also suffer chronic pain from compression thorraccic fractures and rotor cuff injury plus athritic back pain (past 9yrs) so know how to manage it. Not sure but think it possible it contributed to heart attack. Thanks for your input

[Daveena in reply to No-peep]

It was a beta-blockers, still have some trouble spelling things after my stroke

[No-peep in reply to Daveena]

Thanks.... Never noticed spelling. Take care

[Heather1957 in reply to Daveena]

Back in 2016 the first GP I saw diagnosed acid reflux, I saw a different GP as I knew it wasn't that and was diagnosed with angina and in 2017 I had a bypass.

Last year I had angina pain again and was instructed by the GP to go to A & E where I was kept me in a cubicle for nearly 24 hrs where the doctor prescribed Gaviscon and kept telling me it was acid reflux even though I know what Angina pain feels like. After 5 days I had an angiogram that resulted in 2 stents and drilled arteries.

I was frustrated but accept that angina pain can be very much like acid reflux when describing it so just stuck to my guns.

I can't put the blame on the medics as it was only my description of pain that they had to go on, ECG and blood tests all clear.

I am still alive so can only thank them them not blame them.

[No-peep in reply to Heather1957]

I understand how difficult it is to determine whether its angina or a sore arm muscle from carrying (light) bag. I am finding it a steep learning curve. I want to arrive at a place where i can positively say to myself this is angina and rest and take spray. Good for you to have confidence in what you're body is telling you. Take care

[Heather1957 in reply to No-peep]

When I was in A & E last October the night doctor really believed I had acid reflux. The thing is although not always easy to describe, if you have had angina pain you just know what it is, I foolishly didn't use the spray either (I will if it happened again though) When they did admit me, the cardiologist on his rounds asked about the pain and I explained what I was feeling, I told him that I had been asked so many times I was starting to doubt myself, but he was lovely and very reassuring.

After the stents were fitted, I wanted to go back and find the A & E night doctor to tell her what happened.

I suppose they cannot be masters of everything, a bit like GP's, but they should value what the patients tell them especially if they have had similar issues before.

All that said the NHS especially A & E are incredibly busy and do their best.

[No-peep in reply to Heather1957]

... Thanks for the info... I need to stop being in denial and stop doubting my self. If it re occurs i def will use the spray. Take care

[Hidden]

Hi, I didn’t use my gtn spray for ages after my first lot of stents. I should have though. I had ptsd and the spray was the last thing I was given in the ambulance on the way to stoke before I passed for a couple of minutes. Hence my reluctance.

Thankfully, I’ve overcome that fear. If you feel you have angina, you must give yourself a squirt. As someone said above, you’ll know almost straight away if it was angina because it should start to ease and go. If it doesn’t, after the second squirt, it’s 999. It’s your life that’s in your hands.

I still get angina now when I’ve done too much. This is after a second heart attack and another angiogram that gave me the all clear (cardio vascular disease confirmed but my 5 stents and arteries help up under the pressure test).

Please don’t be afraid to use the spray, and be gentle with yourself. Life changes and it’s really about accepting the new you and making the most of it all. 👍

[Heather1957 in reply to Hidden]

Spot on, I had a real fear of the spray and while it did give me a mild dull headache I now realise it does an important job by making it easier for the blood to pump to the heart.

[No-peep in reply to Heather1957]

Thanks. I will def be using it in the future. Do you happen to know how long the spray lasts once opened?

[Heather1957 in reply to No-peep]

There is an expiry date on the bottom of the spray but it doesn't say how long it lasts once opened.You can actually buy it at the chemist rather than get a prescription.

I paid £5.99 for a spray on line.

[No-peep in reply to Heather1957]

The hospital prescribed the gtn spray with other medicines plus the pharmacist advised i have an exta prescribed. I hate to be a bother, but will ask the pharmacist re life of an opened spray. Thanks for info re purchase of spray. Take care and keep safe 😷

[Heather1957 in reply to No-peep]

I just Googled it and it says you can use it up to expiry date, but it won't hurt to get that info from the Pharmacists mouth!!

[No-peep in reply to Heather1957]

Thanks. I am going out a walk and want to use the spray when i get breathless ( going to be sensible). I will take the hospital pres one with me to see if its a help. Thanks for your concern. Don't worry will speak to the pharmacist too. Take care