Booked in for angiogram/angioplasty Tuesday

[Abergele]

Had heart issues ‘angina’ for 16 years now 4th angiogram believes 2 stent’s now needed, even though been here before, I am worried about procedure. Having mvd test at same time, currently breathless on walking , hoping for old life back! Worried!

[MONIREN]

I've just had my 7th angiogram, just give your heart time to settle. Follow up appointment, cardiac deleted some medication, 1st time in years. Advancement in cardiology means they are more equipped and you will feel better in no time . I'm sure that here you will get the support you will need just let the cardiology department do the rest. Take care. Moni

[Abergele in reply to MONIREN]

Thank you, I know I will be ok had 3 previously, but anxiety still cause’s me problems, thanks for your support

[Hidden]

Hello

It is always a very worrying time when we feel we could have something wrong and waiting to have tests and results it can feel worse than getting the results and been told if anything needs to be done or not

I suffer really bad with anxiety and had an angiogram and it was not half as bad as I had let my imagination build it up to be

The Nurses are really kind and if you let them know you are anxious they do see it all the time and they will make sure they do everything they can to make you feel at ease

Before you know it you will have had it done and be home again

Let us know how you get on x

[Abergele in reply to Hidden]

Have had 3 previously but as you say anxiety does not help heart, thanks for your support

[Chrissiemids]

Hi Abergele, I know it's worrying but angiogram is the best thing for you. I have had stents for s few years, the procedure was much the same as angiogram.I've recently been shown the video of my most recent angiogram, and can Cleary see my stents are beginning to block, so it's best to find these things out. Dont worry.

[Abergele in reply to Chrissiemids]

Thank you for your kind words

[Astronomyrules]

Hi Abergele, I've lost count of how many angiograms i've had over the years and I still get very nervous before and during each one. I try to focus on how wonderful I'll feel after the stents are fitted and ask for something to help calm my nerves during the proceedure. The team are always happy to supply their version of a 'gin and tonic'. Don't be afraid to ask. Good luck.

😀

[Heather1957]

Of course you are worried it's only natural it doesn't matter what has happened before this is now.I don't have the words to reassure you but I know reading what others say will help.

Take care and I'm sure it'll all go okay.

[Abergele]

Just home now, no stents fitted, test wires opened artery’s in limits , then went onto test veins of heart . Veins borderline, cardiologist diagnoses as artery spasms and mvd, 4 chemical tests heart feels like I have run 4 marathons, treatment continue with tildiem, ranazoline, oprazole, aspirin & statins. Learn to live with problem

[MONIREN in reply to Abergele]

I hate when they say that, just live with it. Easier said than done. You will need to take it easy, your heart been examined thoroughly. Residual pain will happen, give it time to settle. Think if there are small changes that can be done in your lifestyle. You can't climb a mountain in one step, but you can, one step at a time. Take care. Moni

[Abergele in reply to MONIREN]

Thank you, I still feel rough 12 hrs later, I don’t know what I was expecting but because they stressed my heart and it was ok an the screens, he didn’t seem concerned about the amount of pain I was in , try your GTN was the reply. I now need to settle it down again!

[ChoochSiesta in reply to Abergele]

I had an angiogram and stent to stop a heart attack. Afterwards I had no pain at all.

[MONIREN in reply to Abergele]

Just had 5th angiogram and angioplasty, stent, I hear some go through with no pain, but this one was very difficult during the procedure and after, even cardiologist said it would be painful, after the last few weeks finally settling. Everyone is different. I live with chronic pain and have high pain level. Take care. Moni

[Abergele in reply to MONIREN]

I felt like it was to see how much pain I could stand, only compassion was from nurse who fetched a sick bowl whilst I was having procedure. Painful!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Abergele]

That sounds awful.

When I had my angiogram with acetylcholine, I had spontaneous and acetylcholine induced coronary vasospasms.

I had ST elevations and depressions on my ECG and lots of chest pain and felt sick.

I was given IV morphine and GTN was injected into my coronary arteries to stop the vasospasm.

A coronary vasospasm is no joke!

I suggest you ask for a copy of your angiogram report and discuss the report with a Cardiologist.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Abergele in reply to Milkfairy]

I just felt like the juniors showing the cardiologist who was overseeing that my arteries opened not how much pain I was in. Afterwards cardiologist said I believe it is spasm, and I am those meds today. There is a new chemical not approved by pharmacy yet that will cause spasm. Even if confirmed I would be on same meds, my chest is still paining, I need to settle it down, this is how how I feel after a bad episode.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

To diagnose coronary vasospasms you have to have a constriction of 90% of the coronary artery, ST elevations and depressions on an ECG, accompanied by chest pain during an angiogram.

The chemical they use is acetylcholine to provoke the vasospasms. Special permission needs to be given by pharmacy to use acetylcholine.

I had my angiogram with acetylcholine in 2014.

Adenosine and guide wires are used to measure how the blood flows in the small blood vessels to diagnose microvascular dysfunction.

I suggest you ask for a full explanation of your angiogram results along with a request to be reviewed by a Cardiologist who has some understanding of non obstructive coronary artery disease NOCAD, vasospastic angina and microvascular dysfunction.

There are certainly other medications that can be offered to try and help manage your angina.

It can however take time to find the best combination of medication to help you best.

I often feel like I have been kicked by a horse in my chest after a severe episode of vasospastic angina.

An ache or imprint of pain stays for days afterwards.

My arteries feel as though they have been cleaned out by a pipe cleaner.

[Abergele in reply to Milkfairy]

Some symptoms are out of breath and chest discomfort after 100yds, chest discomfort with anxiety and after showering or when cold all these have got worse these last 7 months. I am struggling to understand how this can be spasm, is it more likely to be mvd. I need to get in front of cardiologist and get explanations, feels like easy answer,

Thank you for all you advice and support. Also have PIP assessment next week !

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Abergele]

That does sounds like microvascular dysfunction.

Good luck with your PIP assessment.

During my first assessment, I had an angina attack, scared the hell out of the assessor.

Got my PIP though 😂