Over the top life stress causing symptoms after heart blockage

[CarolingTeacher]

I’ve been suspecting that I may have a couple different things, including Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, because of my continued chest pain & heart symptoms (one month post a 70% ventricular block and stent) and because of the extremely stressful things I’ve been dealing with. What treatments have you been given for TC? Have you gotten any relief? How have they diagnosed it?

I went to the ER and was admitted to hospital just 2 weeks after my heart procedure because of the significant chest pain, etc…and then I have had 2 follow up cardiology office visits after that (where the cardiologist made small talk and talked about himself and his desire to retire, and didn’t listen to my symptoms or anything I’ve been going through). Theories were thrown around by the hospital docs while I was there, but my cardiologist dismissed them and didn’t come up with anything of his own.

My all male doctors view my chest pain and heart symptoms as a bit of a mystery (despite the fact that EKG shows some concerns—and was decreed “abnormal” by radiology after my cardiologist claimed after a quick peek that it was normal). So he loaded me up with 2 blood pressure and 2 blood thinner meds…that aren’t helping with the symptoms or pain, and then then completely dismissed me because all of the other standard heart tests don’t point to anything (except that abnormal EKG). My next appointment is in 6 months—with a nurse practitioner…ouch.

And I do need to add that ZERO cardiologists found my “widow-maker” 70% blockage either in all the years I went to them complaining of chest pain, until this past February when one hospital doctor on a whim decided what the heck, let’s do an angiogram—and there it was. His guess saved me. They just don’t pay attention…and I’m scared. I don’t want to die.

I’ve not shared my currently extremely stressful life and stress symptoms with my cardiologist though because they’ve already been untrustworthy with other things they’ve been told by me in the past, they don’t seem to care about me, and because of some fears of what happens to my mental health status in my chart for the rest of my life upon admitting all of that to them about these current moments in time.

Not sure what to do. For now, I am looking for a new cardiologist who understands heart disease in women and might be able to help me…and I’m crossing my fingers and praying that I don’t die before I get some help. I’m really needed for some important things here on earth right now.

Thanks for listening!

[MummaSoap]

Hi CarolingTeacher

I’m sorry to hear that you’re having such a difficult time at the moment both in your life and the symptoms that you’re experiencing - it must be really frightening and upsetting for you, not to mention frustrating.

I understand that it’s particularly frustrating when you feel that you aren’t being listened to!

I appreciate your fears about how sharing your current life situation may impact on your mental health status in your chart but maybe you could reach out to one of the BHF nurses for some support and advice? They may be able to point you in the right direction for requesting a transfer of your care or encourage you to share what’s going on to ensure that you are listened to and heard in order to get the most appropriate care for you. Don’t let fear hinder your recovery - feel the fear; and do it anyway 🙂

I think it’s natural that as hearties we contemplate our own mortality fairly regularly and that that fear can be paralysing at times. You’re not alone and you can and deserve to get the help and support you need.

Sending best wishes to you!

Soap

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

I am sorry you are feeling so disheartened and feel unable to form a trusting relationship with the Cardiologists responsible fir your care.

My diagnosis didn't come easily. I thought I was going mad and my trust in the knowledge of body lost.

There is more to heart attacks and angina than blockages.

Has anybody considered that non obstructive coronary artery disease NOCAD is responsible fir your ongoing symptoms?

Microvascular and vasospastic angina are types of NOCAD.

These types of angina require special tests.

You can have both obstructive and non obstructive coronary artery disease at the sametime. The stent treats the symptoms of the blocked artery only to reveal microvascular or vasospastic angina.

My vasospastic angina was confirmed by an angiogram with acetylcholine which induced my coronary vasospasms.

Many women in particular live with microvascular angina which is due to the inability of the small blood vessels to dilate or stay dilated in response to extra demands like exercise.

Vasospastic angina is rarer and due to the transient constrictions of the coronary arteries, causing coronary vasospasms.

I suggest you seek out a Cardiologist who understands women's pattern of heart disease, which includes microvascular and vasospastic angina.

Other terms used are Ischaemia/Angina non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA/ANOCA.

Mental, emotional and physical stress are common triggers of both microvascular and vasospastic angina episodes.

I suggest you read

A Woman's Heart by Prof Angela Maas.

Also have a look at Carolyn Thomas' blog

myheartsisters.org/

Another good source of information is this website created by 4 patients supported by 30 worldwide Cardiologists.

internationalheartspasmsall...

Finally if you are based in the US have a look at this newly formed group of Cardiologists who have an understanding of women and heart disease, inparticular NOCAD.

drive.google.com/file/d/1O0...

I now have a very supportive Cardiologist who tells me that I have an indepth knowledge of my body and he listens!

[Rovelli]

So sorry to hear this. Stress is a big test on the body; I blame it for my valve prolapse. I apologise if I'm being a bit simple, but have you thought it might be a digestive pain which is very similar. It is possible to have heart trouble and digestive problems, I have. You could just get a little bottle of gaviscon-type liquid and have a quick swig when you feel the pain.