Heart Issues ?

[Cocofantastic62]

Pains in left arm resulting in hospital admission - blood test, ECG and angiogram. Medication provided & released. Worried about reoccurrence and getting information very difficult to come by

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hello

Looks like you’re new so a warm welcome to the club no one wants to be a member of. But is very supportive and lots of people here with lived experience.

What have you been told so far from your angiogram / hospital visit?

What meds have they given you?

Sorry for the questions when you want answers but will help members who are in same boat advice / share experience.

But yes it can be a bewildering and scary situation, hopefully you have or will be seeing a consultant / cardiologist to discuss? Maybe worth booking an appointment to ask for more information on your specific case.

Take care.

[Tos92]

Hi Cocofantastic62

I understand your concern.

As you’ve been released on medication, did the hospital say what they are treating you for and what caused the pain?

Angina can cause pain in the arm as I experience this myself. However, I have a fairly niche form of angina so people are not often diagnosed with it unless some specific tests are carried out. I have provided a link below should you be interested in reading more about angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Due to not admitting you, I think you can be reassured that you’re not in any immediate danger. It may not be heart related either, and there are other reasons which may cause pain in the left arm.

Have they arranged any follow up tests?

All the best.

Tos

[Cocofantastic62 in reply to Tos92]

I was in hospital for four days. Initially went in with arm pains . Took bloods did ECG etc. After that I was admitted , chest X-ray, heart scan and a few days later off to another hospital for angiogram. Initially told I’d had a heart attack. I explained I’d been there four days and no one had told me that. The angiogram proved that to be false and they then said it was angina. Put on aspirin, a beta blocker and another tablet . Fun times. Still looking answers and the probability of it reoccurring and getting back to work etc.

[Tos92 in reply to Cocofantastic62]

Did they say what your troponin level was? Just curious as they sent you for the angiogram after the blood tests which leads me to think that your troponin may have been elevated.

I have previously suffered what is known as an NSTEMI, though recently one of my cardiologists felt that it was a MINOCA (myocardial infarction in non-obstructed coronary arteries) after reviewing my case again. It is possible to have a heart attack without any obstructed arteries which is what I’ve had as my angiogram was clear. However, depending on the type of angina, it is just as possible to have slightly elevated troponin in these circumstances as well.

I hope your cardiologist gives you more information on your next appointment. You may find that your current medications are helping in the meantime. I have provided the BHF helpline number below where you can speak to a cardiac nurse for information.

0300 330 3311

Please let us know how you get on/outcome of appointment.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Tos92]

Troponin blood levels can also be raised for other reasons.Abnormally fast heartbeat

High blood pressure in lung arteries (pulmonary hypertension)

Blockage of a lung artery by a blood clot, fat, or tumour cells pulmonary embolus)

Congestive heart failure

Coronary artery spasm

Inflammation of the heart muscle usually due to a virus (myocarditis)

Prolonged exercise (for example, due to marathons or triathlons)

Trauma that injures the heart, such as a car accident

Heart surgery

Weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)

Long-term kidney disease

The levels are also different for women and men, when used to assess heart muscle damage.

Also which lab reference is used and whether high sensitivity Troponin I or T is being measured

[Tos92 in reply to Milkfairy]

The OP mentioned angina as their diagnosis. I wanted to keep the response relevant to that. But yes, it’s possible to have elevated troponin in other circumstances as you’ve mentioned above.

Hope you’re keeping well.

Tos

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Tos92]

This is a peer to peer support group. None of us are healthcare professionals.

[Tos92 in reply to Milkfairy]

Agreed.

[Cocofantastic62 in reply to Tos92]

Troponin level initially high after ECG was ok. Secondary test showed elevated levels so had to see cardiologist and then consultant. Angiogram completely clear.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Cocofantastic62]

Cocofantastic62

A completely 'clear' angiogram only suggests that there are no obvious permanent blockages of the coronary arteries. Obstructive coronary artery disease.

It doesn't rule out, non obstructive coronary artery disease, such as microvascular dysfunction and coronary vasospasms which are when the blood vessels don't function properly.

These causes of chest pain without blocked coronary arteries are also known as Angina/ ischaemia non obstructive coronary arteries. They are often overlooked and undiagnosed types of angina.

Has your Cardiology team suggested that you maybe experiencing microvascular or vasospastic angina?

The BHF website has this information about the conditions.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I have lived with vasospastic angina for over 10 years and was diagnosed by a specialised angiogram.

I have been admitted to hospital many times, 16 times in all over the years.

I often have raised troponin blood levels and ECG changes.

[Tos92 in reply to Cocofantastic62]

My first troponin after my heart attack was slightly elevated. The second one had quadrupled within about an hour or so. My angiogram was also completely “clear” but that does not necessarily mean it is not possible to have a heart attack. I had one despite my arteries being clear.

Milkfairy has provided you with some more info which you might find useful. Do have a read and let us know how you get on.

[Cocofantastic62 in reply to Tos92]

Thanks for the info. 👏👏👏👏👏

[Cee-Cee1]

Hi Coco - just wanted to welcome you to the forum (the club that no-one ever expected to belong to!). You'll find everyone here to be supportive, kind and helpful with any worries or queries you might have. I think one of the first things you could do is to get in touch with your GP who will hopefully have the results of the tests you've had and be able to give you a bigger picture on what's gone on and let you know if any further treatment is required. Carol

[Cocofantastic62 in reply to Cee-Cee1]

Contacted GP - asked loads of questions and he said he didn’t specialise in that particular field and said I’d be better contacting the consultant at my initial hospital. Getting in touch with anyone currently is a nightmare

[Cee-Cee1 in reply to Cocofantastic62]

That wasn't much help from the GP for you, Coco! I've read other posts on the forum that from quite a few members who have recommended contacting the hospital consultants by trying their Secretaries first - you could have a go at that. When I had my six week post-op hospital assessment with the doctor & surgeon who performed my triple bypass last year last year, they discharged me back to the care of my GP as all was well, but the surgeon did tell me to contact his secretary if I'd any worries or queries and either he or the doctor would get back to me. You REALLY need to get some answers.