Angiogram

[Maltise]

Hi I saw my cardiologist today and he wants to do an angiogram in order to diagnose my angina . As I mentioned before,I have been struggling for a while and couldn't tolerate Cardizem or even nitro patch . Does anyone have any experience with the stimulation angio that is more invasive than a regular angio . It is done to diagnose vasospastic angina. I am really scared !

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello Maltise,

I had an angiogram with acetylcholine in 2014.

I had spontaneous and acetylcholine induced coronary vasospasms.

I had chest pain, however no worse than my usual level of pain.

I was given morphine.

There were 8 members of staff in the room at the time.

The angiogram was performed by a very experienced Cardiologist.

I felt safe even though I did have chest pain

It wasn't pleasant, but I am glad I had the test done, as I now have a confirmed diagnosis of vasospastic angina.

It was important for me to know why I was having my chest pain.

It has meant I have been able to ask for a careplan, which I co designed with my Cardiologist, Pain Team and Cardiac Psychologist.

I had been presumed to have microvascular dysfunction and given incorrect treatment by being prescribed beta blockers. I now know beta blockers can make coronary vasospasms worse.

You are fortunate that your Cardiologist understands microvascular and vasospastic anginand is offering you the appropriate testing.

Perhaps talk to your Cardiologist and get them to talk through the procedure with you.

[Maltise in reply to Milkfairy]

ThanksI don't have a lot of info and these procedures are rarely done in Montreal . I wii enquire more . Thanks again

[BadgerBotts in reply to Milkfairy]

Thanks for all your knowledgeable posts and advice. I have a good friend who lives in Essex who has been having angina at rest often early in the mornings. This has been going on for a couple of years! I find it hard to believe that he hasn’t had an accurate diagnoses yet and I’m convinced that he has vasospastic angina possibly being made worse by incorrect medication including beta blockers. Do you have any idea which hospital in Essex would do the angiogram with the acetlycholine or would he need to go to London? I’m assuming that you can’t recommend a consultant on here but at least if he knew which hospital’s cardiology department did it then he could find a specialist there himself. Thank you so so much in advance

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to BadgerBotts]

Thank you for your kind words.

I have sent you a message.

[Wanderinglady]

Hi Maltese,

I had it done back in November. I would say it wasn’t pleasant but it’s nothing to worry about. As Milkfairy says, there were loads of staff in the room and everything felt safe. I did ask for sedation before they started. It was what’s known as a ‘waking sedation’ because you need to be able to tell the dr what you can feel. I’m pleased they used it because I felt very relaxed. It was all worth it because after years of being dismissed as having an over active imagination, I received the diagnosis of extensive microvascular dysfunction. The worse thing about the procedure was the dreadful bruising to my arm, mostly due to having to continue taking blood thinners and anti platelets because of Afib. I hope you soon have your angiogram so that you can start on appropriate treatment.

appropriate treatment.

[Maltise in reply to Wanderinglady]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I don't have enough info yet about the procedure here, but I am inquiring.