Uncomfortable dull pain….

[Batty55]

I have heart failure & it’s controlled by medication. Why does my heart ache? It’s really uncomfortable - like dull nagging toothache. It goes up to armpit. More noticeable when lying down. So nights are unpleasant. It’s not every night but more often than not. Was told nothing to worry about. Heart failure nurse aware. Needless to say sleep eludes me as I worry that it’s going to be an attack. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

[Hidden]

Dear Batty55

If you told your heart nurse the same thing as you have just told us in your post, I am astounded that was her reaction on the phone.

At the very lest you should have a check over, does your GTN spray help? Even if it does I would personally contact your heart team again and get this looked at.

This feeling is not normal for you so you have to get answers to relieve your anxiety about it.

Please take care and keep us informed.

[Batty55 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Blue1958, thank you for your reply. I asked for a spray - told I don’t need one. I am, however, going to talk to my HF nurse again today & try again. Lack of sleep doesn’t help with condition - totally fatigued. Hopefully that will eventually go. Is worrying though.

[Hidden in reply to Batty55]

Dear Batty55

You can just buy GTN spray over the counter at your chemist, but I would run that past your Nurse first.

The lack of sleep is a really bad thing as it messes up your total day doesn’t it.

I had a similar thing happen at the hight of my heart journey and went to my Drs who issued me with sleeping tablets for a few nights to get me back into the rhythm of sleep, it really worked for me.

I think that I needed to put my mind to sleep more than my body.

Take care you are in my thoughts.

[Batty55 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Blue1958, I didn’t know that! I will ask the question. If it doesn’t work then more investigations need to be done. At the moment it’s the pain that keeps me awake - and of course worrying that it’s something more sinister. The fatigue I know is to be expected. Only had HA 3 months ago so maybe expecting too much. But yes a good nights sleep…..what’s that!

[Crochetwoman]

Hi, I agree with Blue1958. Get on the phone again. “ like a dull nagging toothache” just sounds a bit wrong. You know your body best. Unfortunately Drs/ nurses aren’t going to phone you up and check how you’re feeling -but wouldn’t that be nice ? So stand up and shout.

Let us know how it goes.

[Batty55 in reply to Crochetwoman]

Thank you Crochetwoman for your reply. I am talking to my HF nurse again today. Hopefully she will ‘relent’ and prescribe spray - if only to rule out its angina. My GP just doesn’t want to know & says call 999. The ambulance service have better things to do. But I would if it became more than ‘grumbling’. Have even thought about getting a smart watch that records Ecgs but suspect I would be checking it all the time. 🥴

[Hidden in reply to Batty55]

Betty that is what the ambulance service is for, use them for they are the experts at this sort of thing, never feel embarrassed or think that you are not worthy of their service, you are and they know that and are more than willing to help.

[Batty55 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I know - I owe them my life. But if GP etc don’t take it seriously….🥺

[Hidden in reply to Batty55]

Keep shouting and they will answer, {or get someone to shout for you} you totally have the right to be heard.

[Batty55 in reply to Hidden]

I think I might just do that! 😁

[Crochetwoman in reply to Batty55]

Hi, how did it go? When I had my sudden HA I hadn’t had previous angina but was prescribed gtn spray by the cardiologist along with all the other goodies. I’m surprised you didn’t. I never needed it for 3 years.

Whilst reducing my Bisoprolol I started having high heart rate & blood pressure and a constant( every 10 min) short squeeze of my heart. Even asleep. For a day and night. Eventually called GP and sent to have a wee spa day in cardiology. Unstable angina was mentioned. I’m now on Ivabradine instead of Bisoprolol and boy what a difference to my quality of active life.

I’m sorry your GP isn’t up to scratch. Why not try phoning 111 and let them decide?

[Batty55 in reply to Crochetwoman]

Hi. I spoke to my lovely HF nurse who advised me that I am unable to have spray as problems with blood pressure at moment & I would be compromised. Why that couldn’t have been explained before I don’t know. However, it’s going to be investigated further. Ty for asking 😁

[Batty55]

I appreciate what you are saying. However I had already been told was possibly angina. He also doesn’t want to know that I have an eating disorder - and told me to get talking therapy. I’ve changed GPs