morning all, so I know this is not the place to seek medical answers but I’m more after anyone who has experienced similar and what was the outcome.
I’ll try to keep it brief, 40 year old fit and we’ll slightly overweight non smoker, social drinker.
Mid April following bouts of chest pain taken to A&E and ecg changes and echo showed strain on heart. Diagnosed with unstable angina
luckily had had a CT with contrast a few days earlier and subsequently diagnosed with extensive CAD and had one stent fitted in the proximal LAD. Moderate atheroma in RCA and Circumflex also but Dr decided didn’t need stenting.
Was expecting to be back to normal following stent or rather better than I was.
Was pretty rough for a week is so and still getting some pain, pins and needles in arms and legs when waking up and generally feeling rubbish.
I went back to hospital after 10 days after waking with severe pain and following a stress treadmill ecg was diagnosed with pericarditis. Albeit chest x ray was clear, as was bloods. ECG normal with sinus bradycardia (always have had low resting heart rate in low to mid 50’s.
Home felt slightly better after a few days rest started to increase exercise and then back to hospital again with pain - not relived significantly with GTN. Ecg’s Troponin etc all ‘normal’ again told probably pericarditis but appointment for MYOVIEW scheduled end of June.
Again after a few days rest felt better and increased activity levels.
Had a week in Great Yarmouth booked with wife and kids so off we went however chest pains returned with avengence. Seemingly as before no specific pattern or trigger. Variying in intensity left centre chest, shoulder back and some arm squeezing pain.
Got to point where I had ti go to hospital where initial ecg whilst severe pain showed ECG changes possible st and t wave abnormality consider ischemia however Troponin was below 5 (always been around 2/3).
Further ecgs after pain eased reverted back to sinus bradycardia otherwise normal ecg. Some t wave inversion in leads 3 and avr.
as the hospital here couldn’t access my previous history basically said unsure what to do and that I need to speak to my own cardiologist! Like I can just pick up the phone and call!!
It feels like the first instance and I feel very tired weak and sick, no appetite at all and stomach bloated ( on a side note other recent t tests have led me to be placed on the urgent cancer pathway for bowel cancer due to raise levels)
Woken again this morning dull ache and pins and needles and pains in legs.
A couple of things I have we getting pain in back and shoulder and fully aware some may be positional and not all heart related but definitely something going on !
whether the other narrowings are affecting my heart. I am fully on board with cardiac rehab and have lost nearly 2 stone since being in hospital diet is now ‘heart healthy and trying to increase activity when not in pain!
Sorry it’s such a long post and if you have read this far thanks!
The waiting for answers is driving me mad and have a young family who is starting to wonder why daddy can’t join in the fun things !
Like I said at start not seeking medical advice per se (unless there is a cardiologist reading this then please do!) but any similar experiences
Regards
E
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Echo24uk
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I’m very sorry to hear about all your recent health troubles, including your potential cancer diagnosis.
I can’t comment on all the conditions you have noted, but I can share with you my experience of vasospastic angina. For me, the chest pain is pretty much there all the time, radiates to my upper back, arms and sometimes my jaw. This happens primarily on rest, including if I’m triggered by something such as stress and the cold.
I’m still trialling meds to see which ones best work for me. Usually calcium channel blockers are the first line of treatment for myself. You don’t mention if you are on any?
As I don’t always get relief from my medications, I do like to use a hot water bottle to relax the muscles around my upper back and chest area.
I see you mention that GTN does not always resolve the pain which can happen in unstable angina. The BHF states that with a diagnosis of unstable angina, where resting and medication does not relieve the pain, 999 should be called. I’m sure you already know the rule with GTN, it is 1-2 puffs under the tongue every 5 minutes for up to 15 minutes. If the pain has not resolved by then, it is usually a trip the hospital or a call to 111 if you’re unsure.
Have you had a myocardial perfusion scan or an MRI to rule out ischaemia to the heart?
I have had to reduce the amount of exercise which I do since my diagnosis. If you feel exercising is triggering your angina even more, it is probably better to reduce it for the time being.
I do feel your situation warrants an urgent appointment with your cardiologist. I appreciate and totally understand it’s not easy to just pick up the phone and speak to them.
In the case that your symptoms do become worse, please do not hesitate to call 111 or 999.
Those do sound similar it’s like there is always some pain ranging from discomfort to quite severe pain. I have had a week or so with very little pain and then have increased activities,
Including coming away to a caravan and subsequent packing, moving caravans due to an issue and then probably doing a bit more walking etc than I have previously.
If it was made worse at the time of exercise I could almost cope with that but sometimes it doesn’t hurt at all when walking or eases off and can come back at rest.
As far as GTN goes sometimes it does ‘ease’
It slightly but never goes away and as for Ringing 999 then I think I would have an ambulance a day !!! 😂 unless this is what it will take to get to the bottom of it !
Adizem is a calcium channel blocker, and I have noticed a few others which you take that are also used in the treatment of vasospastic angina which is interesting.
As you’ve explained, I’m also the same. There is always some discomfort, and it ranges in severity.
Have you noticed whether stress makes the angina worse? I note that you were away recently, and had the packing and travelling to do.
I completely sympathise with you about calling 999 and having an ambulance appear everyday. I would be in the same position every other day too. However, I have been able to determine which chest pain is, and is not worrisome for me. Chest pain is the norm for me, and it has been for over 2.5 years now.
Unfortunately, I haven’t particularly responded to medication so far and I can usually work out which chest pain needs immediate medical attention, and which doesn’t. But this isn’t advice which I recommend or give to others as any chest pain that isn’t relieved with heart medications as instructed by your cardiologist does warrant a trip to the hospital or at least a call to 111.
thanks again, I don’t see myself as a stressed person but I suppose stress in travelling, wanting to enjoy the holiday (I am here til Friday) and having to move caravans once here due to it being unsuitable could all be ‘stress’
It’s good to hear from others who are suffering (obviously not good you are suffering but you know what I mean).
My view was stent in and crack on however it has been far from that !
I have lived with vasospastic angina for over 10 years.
It is with microvascular angina a type of ischaemia/ angina non obstructive coronary arteries.
I believe Tos also has a myocardial bridge which is thought to believe to play a role in causing coronary vasospasms.
Like most people living with vasospastic angina, I experience my chest pain at rest in response to stresses like, the cold, mental, emotional and physical stress.
Unfortunately some people do continue to experience chest pain after a stent has been inserted. It's how the blood flows through your blood vessels which is important.
A troponin blood level of 5ng/L and below is reassuring.
I suggest you ask for a review by a Cardiologist sooner rather than later.
You may need your medication altered or be offered further testing.
Calcium channel blockers work by relaxing the blood vessels, hence their use to treat high blood pressure, angina and coronary vasospasms.
I agree with Tos, do not feel shy about calling 111 or 999 if necessary.
I am not a big fan of hospitals either, I am admitted to hospital once or twice a year for treatment to stabilise my coronary vasospasms.
Perhaps give the BHF helpline nurses a call and speak to one of the cardiac nurses ?
Hi.Some good info has already been shared. I have MVA and I take the usual meds. I have had it for about 6~7 years. But the experience that I want to share with you is this. Almost I starte having bouts of intense chest pains (like angina attacks). It took almost 6 months and being rushed to hospital before detailed investigations were done. The conclusion was pericarditis. Mine was viral. None of the prescribed meds (anti inflammatory/pain killer such as Naproxen worked). The attacks usually happend in periods of stress (work related). The frequency of attacks dropped but it took around 6 years.
As ever I am sharing for the purpose of sharing only. It is important you discuss the issues and share the info with your cardiologist. Medicine is not an exact science and there is a lot of trials and errors.
mustyk, thanks for your reply and that does help and I will continue to push.
When your pericarditis flared up what symptoms did you have.
I currently have a pretty much constant dull pain and when I start doing more, walking jobs around house etc the pain seems to get worse. I don’t mean on exertion but as an overall
Just wanted to say I’m currently in the same boat. Am 39, have a young family but currently struggling with constant chest, head and leg pain upon exertion.
I have previously had a Coronary CT in 21 which was normal, this was following a bout of suspected pericarditis.
My current symptoms started 8 weeks ago. Paid for a recent resting echo - normal
However I’m constantly breathless, have nearly constant pain in my chest which is either central and crushing or left shoulder and arm. This can be brought on simply by walking a few steps.
I’ve been to A&E a few times initially but now I don’t bother as they treated me badly.
Now gone private, am due a stress echo tomorrow so will see what that shows.
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