Told no exercise while heart checks are done

[Bran_flow]

Hiya joined here few months ago after a minoca heart attack last May have had chest pains on and off since then. Ended up over in cardiac hub few weeks ago with bad ones and high blood pressure (160/110). These started after I got back to the gym again about 7 months after heart attack. Had no follow up at all over past year told be doc unless pains happen few times day take spray rest they did start happening few times a day then why I went to hub. Changed meds from bisporol to isodur 25 since then haven't been able to sleep at all really bad insomnia was told not to exercise had to cancel holiday was told not to fly and rest until I'm seen by consultant. Had mri scan 2 weeks ago as my heart attack was a minoca waiting on app now for consultant. Sorry for long post I'm just wondering has anyone else been through anything similar I'm afraid to even start sorting out my shed or lift heavy things around house really starting to get me down and doctors just say I have to wait. Still waiting on app for cardiac rehabilitation and counselling. Thank you for reading 😃

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear that you you haven't had the usual follow-up care after your heart attack.

Do you know why you had a Myocardial Infarction non obstructive coronary arteries MINOCA?

The usual causes are microvascular dysfunction, coronary vasospasms, spontaneous coronary artery dissection or a blood clot or piece of plaque blocking the coronary artery.

It's important to know the underlying cause as the treatment is different for each cause.

Eg beta blockers can help someone with microvascular dysfunction however make coronary vasospasms worse.

The knowledge about how to care for people after a MINOCA is limited, so frustrating as it is for you, it's best for you to follow the advice you have been given.

Are you able to make an appointment with your GP to discuss which activities are safe for you to do?

Perhaps contact the Cardiologist's medical secretary and ask for a cancellation to try and be seen more quickly.

I acknowledge how challenging it is to live in limbo with the uncertainty of the cause of your symptoms.

[Bran_flow in reply to Milkfairy]

GThank you for replying milkfairy, no we don't know yet why it happened consultant did mention spasms and unstable angina. I've been rushed through now as had more chest pains few weeks ago that went down my arm but nurse did mention I've probably been living with very high blood pressure since my heart attack with no check ups unfortunately. Don't get much information from secretary unfortunately left around 9 messages last year spoke to her twice promised app and call back never happened until pains started again after exercise. I took the heart attack after a power walk I was exercising eating healthy and meditating for stress when it happened all the things they told me to do after it was already doing before it. I see from your profile you have Microvascular and coronary artery spasms they have mentioned these to me. How are you doing living with these. Was your experience similar to mine if you don't mind me asking.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Bran_flow]

I was admitted to hospital in 2012 with a suspected heart attack, however I was told incorrectly I couldn't have angina or a heart attack because my coronary arteries are unblocked.

I was very fit, I used to cycle 8 miles and back to work.

Not overweight and I eat a heart healthy diet.

I was low risk for heart disease.

I did have a very mentally and physically demanding job.

Life sometimes just bowls us an unexpected curve ball!

It took a while to get a diagnosis as vasospastic angina is rare, about 2% of angina cases.

It requires special testing that is not rountinely available.

I later had an angiogram with acetylcholine which confirmed my diagnosis of coronary vasospasms, vasospastic angina.

It good that your Cardiologist is aware of microvascular and vasospastic angina.

The treatment is by medication and it can be trial and error to find the best combination of medication that will work best for you.

Perhaps keep a diary and see if you can spot any triggers of your angina.

Mine are the cold, emotional, mental or physical stress.

If my heartrate or my blood increases I'll get chest pain too.

I have to manage my stress well. I walk my dog daily, I find yoga, Tai Chi and mindfulness meditation, breathing and relaxation techniques help to keep me calm.

Hopefully you don't have to wait to long to see the Cardiologist.

[Bran_flow in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you so much for your reply I did take pains out walking in the cold so moved in doors to gym but they just got worse they have no triggers they have happened at rest, at exercise, after exercise when I'm stressed they seem to happen all the time. Its good to hear you are doing so well now gives me hope in the years to come still shocked as you have a healthy lifestyle just shows what stress can do to your body..I did have a mri dye scan just waiting on results unfortunately heart attacks run in the female side of my family young deaths in 30s and 40s from heart problems so can be a bit worrying. Thank you for help and advise has definitely made me feel bit more hopeful can be very scary and worrying not knowing anything.