Unexplained symptoms after Heart attack

[richard_jw]

I had a heart attack in Aug 2020. Was in Cath. lab within 1 hour where they did an angioplasty and found Right Coronary Artery completely occluded. After 2 attempts they mostly cleared the clots, and put me on Rivaroxaban, clopidogrel, aspirin, bisoprolol.

They could not put a stent in for technical reasons, so the RCA was opened by a balloon, and anti clotting infusion. This left the heart muscle some 12% dead.

After discharge and initial recovery, I still get significant symptoms.

Specifically I am light headed, and have poor balance, tingling sensation in my fingers, and some nausea. This occurs both when I get up in the morning and after exertion (e.g. mowing the lawn, for an hour or more.)

I have had 2 echocardiograms. The main result of the echos revealed a Left ventricle ejection fraction of 61% which I am told is fine.

Also I have had an angiogram around a year ago which revealed that all coronary arteries are clear, if somewhat large (the tech word is ectatic).

Cardiologist thought symptoms might be some form of non obstructive coronary disease specifically microvascular angina. He prescribed Ranolazine.

Problem is that I don't have the symptoms I associate with angina (chest pain on exertion which goes away on rest or when you use GTN. GTN really does not help. It makes my pulse race until the effect wears off.

I took ranolazine for 3 months. Latterly I was getting new symptoms (sweating, bad chest pain, oedema, ).

I talked to GP . He did a variety of blood tests, none of which revealed anything about kidneys, liver, or anything else, and seems to have given up.

So I stopped the Ranolazine. These worrying symptoms have gone away, leaving me with the balance, etc. issues highlighted above

I should say that 2 cardiologists have attributed the symptoms to stress or something not cardiovascular related.

Current meds are Phenytoin, phenobarbital, aspirin 75mg famotidine rivaroxaban bisoprolol 1.25mg and 40mg atorvastatin 40mg.

The first 2 are for epilepsy

I just wondered if anyone here has any idea about what I should do next to improve my QOL

[devonian186]

Have you made lifestyle changes and take exercise and am the correct weight and with a good diet.?

[newstent]

Hi Richard, I'm no expert but some of your symptoms could well be side effects of the drugs you are on. You may be able to get a medication review done by your GP and alternative suggestions. Check the contra indications in the packet notes. Best of luck. C

[MummaSoap]

Hi Richard

Sorry to hear that you’ve had a bit of a time of it since your heart attack.

I can’t give any advice about your specific medication but I do suffer periods of dizziness and can begin to shake uncontrollably, lose my ability to stand or hold any weight in my arms and have also experienced temporary loss of vision but my GP and cardiologist attributed it to my beta blocker. I’m on metoprolol to reduce my heart rate but it also reduces my already low blood pressure and at times my body just can’t keep up.

This being said, I have also been told that stress, running around after my 3 children and my anxiety will of course all play their part too 🤣

I think it would be worth contacting your gp or cardiologist again to discuss your symptoms as they may be able to tweak your dose or move you to a different medication that your body may tolerate better.

Sorry I couldn’t give a clear suggestion but I hope that you start feeling better soon. I know how horrible it is to feel restricted due to unwanted symptoms.

Best wishes

[Bluespruce57]

hi Richard,

Yeah,had stent year ago,then another 2 weeks later,both successful,but after coming home had lot similar symptoms to you,ie chest pains,dizzy, stomach not right, eventually told anxiety etc, plus all medications can have side effects for each individual

I think time is big healer and staying positive,not worrying about each symptom(not easy),ive

Found they slowly ease off and become less

Maybe got to accept 80/90 % ok ,and also some days better than others

Keep Positive!!!

Hope that helps,feel free to reply

Kind regards

Lee👍