Angina pain

[LucyBoo21]

I'm four months post stent insertion for a 95% blockage in my LAD.

My symptoms before surgery were a burning pain lower neck on initially starting walking fast (and would then go away) and only two episodes of intense pain. I'm 46.

I still have this pain on walking and have had one episode of what I thought was going to be the intense pain but went. My cardiologist thinks it's angina and has given me a GTN spray to try.

Has anyone else had similar issues? It was thought that the blockage was causing my symptoms pre surgery but clearly not now and the blockage was just a lucky find.

I'm worried that I've still got issues and what it means for my future. All my other arteries were clear.

[Maisie2014]

Hi Lucy. I was similar although much older. I hated the GTN as it gave me intense headache when I was having my heart attack. I carry it but haven’t used it yet. I put my post stent pains down to my nervousness at my impending doom. I’m used to my situation now some three years on. The only times I get the chest pains now is if the weather is very cold or if I become upset about anything. I therefore make sure I’m well wrapped up and try not to get upset too easily (easier said than done). Try not to worry. Try relaxing techniques. Take care.

[LucyBoo21 in reply to Maisie2014]

Thank you for your reply. I haven't tried the GTN yet, I only saw the cardiologist today. He wants me to try it for a couple of weeks to see if the pains stop and then I'm to have an exercise treadmill test.

He warned me about headaches and dizziness on first use.

I will try not to worry, thank you. 😊

[Hidden]

The spray is an absolutely amazing product, don't be frightened to use it.The first few times you use it sit down or be close to something to lean on as as the sudden rush of blood around your body and head in particular can make you feel a little woozy.

Once you've used it a few times you'll hardly notice this.

I used to use mine proactively, for example when out walking if I came to a hill I'd stop and have a couple of puffs before tackling the ascent.

Any short lived slight effect you might feel from taking the spray is beneficial to putting your heart under the stress of an oxygen shortage.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Has your Cardiologist considered non obstructive coronary artery disease, NOCAD?You can still have angina without permanent blockages to your coronary arteries, microvascular or vasospastic angina.

[LucyBoo21 in reply to Milkfairy]

I don't know but I will mention it to him when I see him after the exercise ECG. Thank you I've never heard of those.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to LucyBoo21]

These conditions are often overlooked, under recognised, under researched and under diagnosed.

More common in women.

[simplysal]

Hi Lucy, wow there are similarities between us. I’m 45. A 90% blockage in my LAD was found in November 2021 and I received a stent.

Quite a shock isn’t it!

Whilst I only needed the one stent, my Cardiologist did say other arteries are furry but not to the point of needing treatment that day.

Yes I can have what I describe as twinges really. Feels localised to just left of centre. Like someone is pressing say three fingers against my chest.

I spoke to Cardiology Nurse this week (first appointment with them since Angiogram on 5/11). I’ll be having an Echo just to make sure all looks ok and I’ll be seeing the Cardiologist face to face at the end of this month.

She seems to think I’m ‘Atypical’ in my presentation. I think a fair amount of women are.

I’m sure we would rather have zero pain now we’re a few months post stenting. It is a worry. Sounds as tho we’re both being looked after tho.

Take care, Sal.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to simplysal]

Ongoing chest pain following a stent is not uncommon.

Women's heart disease is often overlooked and under recognised. Saying women are ' atypical' is not helpful. The research suggests that women don't have their heart attacks recognised or treated as well as men.

leeds.ac.uk/news/article/42....

You might find this article interesting, it lists the possible causes of angina following a stent

academic.oup.com/eurheartj/...

Another useful resource is Prof Angela Maas' book

'A woman's Heart'

[LucyBoo21 in reply to simplysal]

It is a shock yes, we're so young to have issues aren't we.

Sadly I have family history which mine is being put down to, I don't smoke, don't drink a lot (now stopped completely) and eat healthily. I am however probably 1 stone overweight but you wouldn't look at me and think I was.

My cardiologist is reluctant to give me any more radiation as he says it's not good in my age and I had a lot recently (CT coronary angiogram) so will avoid any of those tests for as long as possible.

I think we all thought the surgery would cure everything but if anything it made my symptoms worse! I now have to take bisoprolol to manage palpitations, fast heart rate and lightheadedness but the tablet make me lethargic.

[HedgeHogHome]

Hi,I too am 4 months post stent and have ' twinges', 'sensations', 'tightness' on the left side of my chest, sometimes towards my neck. It is always on resting, usually in the evening but never on exertion.I find this very disconcerting as I never had this before my single stent in LAD. My only indications of a heart problem were slight breathlessness and one painful cardiac event .

I would have hoped to feel really well by now but feel worse as not only am I totally aware of my heart but am , on occasion , more breathless.

After 3 months I was discharged from the cardiology unit by a telephone consultation with my interventionist cardiologist .He was very reassuring suggesting the sensations may be due to the Tricagrelor or perhaps non cardiac . It feels cardiac!! Interestingly enough I went to my chiropractor this morning about another issue, but she thought it may be the pectoris muscle that was tense as a result of the heart problems and me over protecting that area. She loosened it off and I do feel better. I will now gently stretch this muscle and see if it helps. Her father had open heart surgery and this is what she recommended to him.

I have also been going to cardio rehab at Level 4 and the physios don't think there is a problem with the heart . It is very hard though not to worry so I totally empathise with all of you who have posted similar issues. It is reassuring to know I am not the only one who hasn't felt brilliant after the stent. On a positive note, my husband says I am better at climbing hills than I was pre stent so maybe the tightness will gradually disappear or this will be the 'new normal' as the A and E doctor told me , and I will not notice any more unless it worsens or is severe.

Keep positive in spite of these disturbing times