Was doing really well until my blip 2 weeks ago (felt dizzy and BP dropped to 80/60 at end of rehab). Since then I've felt rotten. Lots of dizziness and chest discomfort. Even ended up with 111 calling an ambulance and an overnight stay in hospital getting checked out. ECG fine, BP ok but very slightly raised Troponin levels (32) that didn't seem to raise any alarms. Discharged home last Thursday with a new prescription to restart Isosorbide. Don't know if it's the weather but any sort of activity at the moment brings on chest pain. Just walked to the allotment (about 500m) and by the time I got there I had to sit down and have a puff of GTN which seems to have eased it somewhat thankfully. Had a GP appt yesterday, unconnected with Heart, and discussed the dizziness so one of my BP meds is being reduced (Felodipine down to 5mg from 10mg). I've not had any angina since NSTEMI back in November which is why Isosorbide was stopped. Sorry for long post but feeling really down at the moment. Feels like I've gone a long way backwards and can't really get on with my life at the moment. I know we say if in doubt get checked but don't want to be up the hospital having holes stuck in me for bloods and other checks every 5 mins only to be told I'm ok.
Seriously fed up: Was doing really well... - British Heart Fou...
Seriously fed up
Aww I'm so sorry to hear. No wonder you feel fed up mate I would too you poor thing this weather definitely doesn't help us hearties does it 💔😢. Hope you feel better soon. Take care in this heat! 😉
Thanks, been staying indoors during the day and only venturing out in the evening but still seem to have problems 
Aw sorry to hear mate 😕. I seem to have that problem no matter what time i go out in this heat 😩💔😢.
Hi Hrty
Sorry to hear your symptoms are back.
It can be very touch and go with this weather. Some say the warmer weather makes their chest pain better, whilst others feel the cold makes it worse. It can be hard to pinpoint if the weather is triggering your angina.
Did they say why your troponin was elevated? Is this “normal” for you? I would’ve thought a troponin like that would require further investigation.
The "suspicion" was that my blip at rehab was caused by dehydration and the elevation was caused by that. Should have a review with cardiologist in about 5 weeks now. Last time my troponin was checked, back in January, it was around 15.So frustrating, I've done everything asked, overhauled diet, lost 2st, no longer drink and taken all my meds.
Hmm, 15 is borderline isn’t it. Anything above 14 I thought was a cause for concern. Do you think something may have been going on back in January and it wasn’t picked up, and then this caused an elevation in your troponin over the last couple of months, hence why it was higher during your last A&E trip?
The 15 was only about 6 weeks after my heart attack and as it had continued a downward trend they weren't concerned.
Oh I see, that makes sense. Have they referred you on for more tests?
I know you mention that you don’t want to get checked out only to be told that you’re okay. But it is probably worthwhile getting your troponin checked again, to see if it’s increased or decreased since your last visit. I should hope they would keep you in for monitoring if it is on the rise.
Only for a review with my cardiologist and a non-urgent ultrasound for some checks on some simple kidney cysts I didn't know I had.
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear about the kidney cysts too. If your symptoms get worse, your safest option is to really call 111 again.
Try and keep us posted on your upcoming appointments and I hope you start to feel better later in the week.
In the end wife made me call 111. Answered very quickly and because of heart history sent ambulance. That turned up within 10 minutes. Couple of ECGS, BP and Sugars checked and whisked into hospital for blood tests, etcNow in A&E waiting on result of first blood test. Also had ECG, lying/standing BP check which brought on dizzyness again. Seen by Dr. May have x-ray and more ECGs.
I know we shouldn't but I always worry about wasting their time and being a nuisance but keep being told that I should always get checked out.
Flipping warm in here.
I’m glad your wife encouraged you to call 111. You’re not wasting their time at all, and given your recent troponin, it’s the best place for you to be.
Tell me about it. The humidity seems to rise in the night for some reason. Can’t imagine I’ll get any sleep this week.
Just been moved into the "trolleys" which is the next stop after initial RAT bay in A&E. Hopefully will be quiet but knowing my luck I'll get the noisy patient turn up in the next bay, always do. Mind you a darn sight more comfortable than sat om a chair in a crowded A&E. You are of course right about calling 111, I'd be the first to tell someone else to do so.
I’d rather a bay, than sitting on those very uncomfortable A&E chairs. My entire body needs a good stretch afterwards!
Fingers crossed your cardiac markers will come back within normal limits 🤞🏽
Absolutely, far more comfortable even though my feet hang over the bottom. 1st blood has come bqck with troponin at 18 so lower than last week 👍. Had a chest x-ray and 2nd bloods taken. Will ask Dr when I see them why the giddy spells and chest pain. Even managed a bit of sleep.
They have a set number for troponin and I was once told as long as it’s not over 20 but I would find out for your own satisfaction I’m on the nitrate tablet after my HA and never come off it and that’s 5 years Did you have stents in I didn’t so perhaps that’s why I still on the horrible things which make me giddy The heat don’t help drink plenty of water and let’s hope it’s not around for long
I believe there are different types of troponin and it depends on which one is being measured. I know for myself, it’s mostly been the high sensitivity Troponin T. Anything below 14ng/l is considered normal and this is what was used to measure my cardiac enzymes last year when I had an NSTEMI/MINCOA.
However, slightly elevated troponin levels maybe considered “normal” for some people so it can vary from individual to individual and it is up to your cardiologist to determine what is, and is not your normal if that makes sense. This is what my cardiologist has explained to me.
No, I didn’t have any stents put in.
And yes, the weather doesn’t seem to be the best climate for us hearties. Hope you’re keeping well in this heat.
I didn't have any stents either. My isosorbide was stopped early after my initial NSTEMI as I had no chest pain then. Only restarted last week. My troponin levels are stable at 18. Justbhad 2nd postural BP test.
The level for women is lower usually around 16ng/L depending on the reference lab levels and whether high sensitivity troponin I or T is used.
The troponin levels for men is around 34ng/L
The latest research is suggesting that any troponin blood level above 5ng/L is clinically significant.
heart.bmj.com/content/107/2...
I’ve always been told 14ng/l is the maximum for hs (high-sensitivity) Troponin T, anything above that is a cause for concern but I guess it depends on individual circumstances.
Interesting article. Will read into it.
Hello 
I am sorry you are feeling this way it could be your meds will make a difference now they have changed them lets hope so bit it was just 2 weeks ago so you need time to get back up again
This heat will really not be helping either you need to give yourself a break you had a set back but you will come back and keep remembering that
I hope your Mum is ok x
Thanks, Mum is doing fine. She's recuperating down my sisters. At times it's hard to know what to do.
Good morning, I am so sorry to hear about your troubles, I bet you are fed up. I have not had the same but similar and yes, it is 1 step forward and 10 backwards!
The doctors keep telling me the pains and feeling are nothing and common once you have had stents put in, I try not to worry but my anxiety levels are through the roof at the moment which does not help as my mind takes over then my heart start racing, then I think OMG! here we go again!.
My Troponin was 33 and they said it was just where it was falling after my HA 9 weeks ago.. They did not seem to worried about it as it was 1500! I think we are all individual and our bodies react in so many different ways, I cannot cope with the heat it makes my heart race and I feel ill, perhaps just sit by the fan until cooler, I know it makes you feel you can't get on with what we want to do but perhaps that is one of the changes we have to make?
I do wish you all the best and are sure you will start for move forward soon, best of luck
The good news is that they say you're ok. Hang on to that positive result. Lots of us are suffering from the hot weather and can't cope with it. I find it hard to get motivated to do anything but I look out at my garden and am cheered by my abundant climbing roses and healthy sweet peas which seem to go from strength to strength.Hope you will feel more positive soon.
Seems to be happening to quite a few in this weather.A few weeks ago I felt the same and put it down to meditation.My kidney function came back and their had been a dramatic drop.
I started to drink lots of water and I have never felt better! Could it be dehydration? I drink so much now I can’t go too far away from home but the difference in the way I feel is worth it.
Ringing 111 or 999 is always first to go to out of GP hours if it’s concerning you that much.
Good morning Hrty. Sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell and dizzy. Just hope the changes to your medication help eventually or get back in touch with your g.p. life is definitely a vicious circle at times. Take care. Brian
Thanks. I got transferred to AAU this morning. Been seen by Dr there. Troponin levels from first 2 tests at 18 so had a 3rd and awaiting results. Depending on that may be discharged with referral to chest pain clinic. Nurse has suggested I walk around a bit to see if pain comes on again rather than rest up and get sent home "feeling better" only to to have it happen again.Was feeling great until 2 weeks ago doing rehab and regularly walking over 10km without any apparent problems. Felt almosy normal. Pain started last night walking all of 400m to our allotment. Was worse than when I had my actual heart attack.
Hope they get ro the bottom of it.
Sorry to hear you’re back in hospital but it’s the best place to find out what’s causing your symptoms . Hope you’re feeling better and will be ok to go home
sorry to hear of your troubles Hrty, please don’t feel bad about going to hospital, rather do that than not we only have one heart. I had a bypass 9 months back and never been on all these meds before and boy was l dizzy with the beta blocker. My cardiologist has cut the dose down twice now and l am feeling much better. I hope the change in your medications makes a difference for you and remember you are not alone in all this, we can all relate. Jedx
Hi Hrty. I totally understand your frustration. I had years of worsening crescendo angina that became very debilitating, then had HA and treated with triple by pass. That was 9 years ago. The wonderful feeling of release and wellness immediately after op was brilliant. And for 9 years I thrived. But last Sept completely out of the blue had a Sudden Cardiac Arrest while walking my dog. Spent 5 days in CCU and discharged following defibrillator implanted and meds tripled. I have had to insist on meds returning to previous dosage as life was hell. But I feel I’m back to square one. Get a bit breathless, tight chested and lower oxygen when walking and generally just tired. But I have just resolved to pick myself up, dust myself off and start that uphill climb to fitness again. It don’t stop you from feeling a bit miffed now and then though.
Hi there,
Im so sorry to hear you are not doing so well. It is always a worry when you have a heart condition. Some people seem to benefit from the hot weather and others find it makes them feel quite unwell, short of breath and generally fatigued. We are all different though. I know when I was in hospital having bloods tested for troponin levels , I was told that anything over 6 was a concern. Please dont think I am right though, it is only what my cardiologist said. I hope you get everything sorted out and you feel better soon.
I think the rece t hot weather isn't that great for us hearties.
Sorry to hear you’re feeling a bit rubbish and down at the moment; it sucks to have a setback.
It could be the heat though and may settle once things cool down again 🤞🏼🤞🏼
I know it’s easier said than done but try not to be too hard on yourself. I’ve been more symptomatic since January and was recommended not to drive again which I have found really frustrating at times but I know it’s for the best right now.
Try to stay positive and focus on what you can do rather than your current limitations, small steps and you might be able to build yourself up again slowly.
I completely understand what you’re saying about not wanting to essentially be a human pincushion but when you have a heart condition you just can’t be too careful! The A&E teams would much rather send you off with a clear bill of health than be fighting to resuscitate you or worse but I know you know this and it isn’t always much comfort when you’re the one experiencing the discomfort.
I hope things improve for you very soon, keep us posted with how you’re getting on please.
Best wishes
Soap 🧼
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