Progress and any info on ranolaxine?

Had an appt with cardiologist next week (face to face) but this has been cancelled via email ,due to unforeseen circumstances and they cannot arrange a new appt so now on a waiting list. This was very important to me after contacting heart nurse three weeks ago and visit to A&E a week ago. It was also 1 year after HA. Had three weeks of intermittant pain episodes

With heart rate in low thirties the A&e halved my carvedilol to 25mg.

Gp has been good and in contact every few days. Carvedilol reduced further now to 12.5mg from today as heart rate 38 now and bp 75/50 generally. Been down this path before last year when it ended up being zero mg then went back to 50mg as cardiologists thought it was important for my HF

GP prescribed 375mg ranolaxine for the pains. Bit concerned as I take altovastatin and it says major interaction but I did mention this and did not think it would be a issue

Anybody have any experience with this drug?

Also Co-codamol as needed.

[ScoobyDoo71]

I’m on Ranolazine and atorvastatin. No interactions but do need to make sure get annual bloods checked and review. I’m on Ranolazine for heart failure with preserved function rather than angina. It has helped with exercise tolerance but whereas before I would be limited earlier now I can do more but pay price afterwards as I inadvertently wipe myself out as overdo things as feel better able to at the time. Hope you get another OPA soon with cardiology

[Hidden in reply to ScoobyDoo71]

Ok that is reassuring. Not sure what I am on it for, but chest pains to see if it works. but n o tests have been done. Of course side effects depend on the individual. I have failure but not diagnosed angina. Thanks

[richard_jw in reply to ScoobyDoo71]

Hi ScoobyDooLooking at your post, your symptoms seem exactly like mine.

In my case no cardiologist has diagnosed HF (well not that they told me). My EF is somewhere around 51-61% depending on the test done (the echocardiograms are at either end of the range). Either way the EF does not seem to be in the HF range.

The thing which stood out about your post was the Ranolazine. The cardiologist recommended it for me. Currently I have not started taking it. I can exercise OK, e.g. fast walking for several miles, but subsequently I have symptoms bad fatigue, slight chest pains etc. which can last certainly hours if not 1-2 days a few times I have ended up in A&E but discharged with normal bloods (Troponin ) etc.

I had a heart attack 18 months ago, but cardiologists currently seem to think I am OK.

My question is "how did they diagnose your HF with preserved EF?".

The thing which concerns me is that if Ranolazine simply stops the anginal pain it does not sound the right solution.

Any input gratefully received

Sorry to hijack your post castellaneous

[ScoobyDoo71 in reply to richard_jw]

Hi Richard it’s been a crazy journey. I was born with heart defects and had surgery as a baby. Supposedly fixed but we now know that lifelong care is needed as often congenital heart disease patients run into issues later in life which is what happened to me. I went pear shaped during second pregnancy with breathlessness on exertion back and forth to cardiologist with no clear answer other than not to have anymore children.

I then had a pacemaker put in and also beta blockers given as have atrial tachy arrhythmias and sinus node disease hence pacemaker. Then had a TIA out of the blue and had a Load more tests one of which was CPET. On this my readings were rubbish pointing to heart issues similar to what would be expected in heart failure, despite trying to keep healthy and fit I get really breathless on exertion bending and lifting. My arteries are clear following angiogram. Echo shows some aortic regurgitation and mildly enlarged RV.

On basis of all these factors and cardiologist being present during disastrous exercise test that’s how the possibility of symptoms suggestive of heart failure with preserved function came about.

The Ranolazine was a “let’s give this a go “,as little research around adult congenital heart disease and thought it may help physiologically reduce stiffness and also arrhythmia.

There’s lots of trials going on around Ranolazine to see if it helps other areas of heart disease not just angina such as pulmonary hypertension and heart failure.

I’m still having arrhythmias but I can climb stairs in one go now which is better than previously.

Sorry for long post hope it helps