I have recently diagonosed with Micro Vascular and after the attack doctors didn’t do anything and advised to take isosorbic 60 mg ang GTN every time. Using GTN brings dizzy mess and weakness.
Is heart burn a continuous attack and is life too short here…
Hi Ndhawan
I’m sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis.
If you’re new to using the GTN spray, it can be a common side effect to feel dizzy. This is because it can cause your blood pressure to drop, give you headaches, a fast heart rate, and nausea. This is why it is important that you are sitting or lying down when taking the spray.
I hope you have been told the rule about how to use the GTN spray. It is 1-2 puffs under the tongue, every 5 minutes up to 15 minutes. If the angina or pain has not subsided after 15 minutes, it is usually a visit to the hospital.
Microvascular angina is when the smaller blood vessels of the heart do not work properly. There is another user on here which I will tag Milkfairy who may be able to give you a deeper insight of their experience with it.
Have you been prescribed anything for the heart burn such as an anti-acid?
What tests were carried out to diagnose the microvascular angina?
All the best.
Tos
Thanks Tos92. I had my first attack in March 23 and it was a slight heart burn in middle chest and then again in May23 with upper left side chest burn and again last week with chest burn in top left side. This time hospital did angio and told me small arteries are causing the attack and nothing can be done. They prescribed isosorbide 60 mg in morning but said unfortunately nothing can be done and this condition of heart burn need to be treated medically. So asked me to use one isosorbide and GTN repeatedly and sent me home. After coming home I again have same burn feeling but how many times I can take GTN as it causes so much weakness and heard spin and then the heating burn only goes for a little while. It seems the attacks are continuing as was the cause of my raised troponin. Very scared about what lies ahead of me and scared.
I believe there are more medications that you can try however, it does sound like the doctor or cardiologist that saw you isn’t overly knowledgeable on microvascular angina. You would benefit from seeing a cardiologist who specialises or has experience of treating patients with microvascular angina.
Are you able to find a cardiologist in Australia who perhaps, has more knowledge on this type of angina and then you may be able to be put on a treatment plan that actually works for you?
I’m in the U.K. so I wouldn’t be able to recommend anyone unfortunately.
Thanks Tos92 for letting me know there are specific cardiologists for this and I ll now try to find some here and will post it here once I get to meet one of them
HI, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have Microvascular angina, I have had it for over 9 years. As Tos has said when you use your GTN spray it is best to sit or lie down if possible, it can lower your blood pressure. There are other medications that can help MVA, such as Calcium Channel Blockers and I take a drug called Trimetazidine, its not licensed for use here in the UK but my Cardiologist can obtain it, I have found it really effective, I have been taking it for 6 years now. Perhaps try some antacid and see if it helps.
Hi Crystal614
I hope you’re well.
Regarding your comment about Trimetazidine, was this prescribed by a U.K. cardiologist and have you been able to obtain the medicine here?
I too was prescribed with the same one but abroad where it is licensed to help with vasospasms. However, I have not started taking them, partly due to the issue of it not being licensed in the U.K. and therefore, very slim chance of obtaining it here as well.
Hi, I'm doing ok thanks. How are you? Yes it is prescribed by a UK Cardiologist. Obviously as it is not licensed a GP cannot prescribe it. I have never had any problems getting it. My Cardiologist does a prescription for 6 months at a time and it is dispensed at the Hospital pharmacy. It was one of the first drugs I was put on to see what sort of response I had from it and I have been on it ever since. I called it the miracle pill!
I am well, thank you. Though I wish it was less humid ☀️
I’m glad to hear the medicine has been working for you. I’ve not come across many people at all that take this, probably because it is no longer licensed in the U.K. anymore. I want to give it a go however, slightly concerned that if it does work/help, I’ll have trouble sourcing it and finding a cardiologist willing to prescribe it *sigh*.
BTW, do you remember if you had any side effects to this when you started taking it initially?
I've never experienced any side effects whilst taking the medication. When you see a cardiologist ask him/her about it and see what they have to say about Trimetazidine and any possible supply issues, then decide if you want to give it a go or not.
As Crystal says some medications have to be prescribed by a Consultant if they are being used off licence. They take personal professional responsible.
A Pharmacist can also refuse to dispense the medication too.
There are other examples of medications like Ivabradine that need to be prescribed by a Consultant Cardiologist.
Hopefully you can get a referal to a Cardiologist who understands vasospastic angina.
thanks for your advise. I will try to find another cardio who can help in relieving my burning in chest
Hello,
There is a group of patients based in Australia, US and UK who co founded a website and advocacy group about microvascular and vasospastic angina. The group is working with researchers and Cardiologists and other patient groups all over the world.
internationalheartspasmsall...
They also run 2 Facebook groups one of which is listed in the BHF information about vasospastic angina.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo....
The BHF has this information about microvascular angina.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Microvascular and vasospastic angina are types of Ischaemia/ angina non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA/ANOCA both can lead to a MINOCA Myocardial Infarction non obstructive coronary arteries.
Microvascular angina is usually caused by the inability of the small blood vessels to dilate or stay dilated in response to extra demands like exercise. This is known as Microvascular dysfunction.
Vasospastic angina is when the large coronary arteries go into transient contrictions causing a lack of blood supply to the heart.
You can also have vasospasms in the small blood vessels too.
To diagnose these types of angina a specialised invasive functional angiogram is needed.
The treatment options for microvascular and vasospastic angina are different.
It can also take sometime to find the best combination of medication that will help you best.
This means finding a knowledgeable Cardiologist.
Australia is blessed in having a leading researcher in MINOCA and INOCA.
In Perth a specific INOCA clinic has been established.
The forum guidelines don't allow us to name individual hospitals or name doctors. We can message each other though.
Where in Australia are you based?
I have lived with Vasospastic angina for 11 years, I have spasms in both my small and large blood vessels.
I don't however have microvascular dysfunction.
Microvascular and vasospastic angina can be bewildering conditions made more so by the lack of knowledge about the conditions by Healthcare Professionals.
Hi
Is the throbbing pain that settles after a minute or two in left side chest after taking GNT is normal. It leaves a little burning sensation though and a bit of uneasiness. I took another shot of GNT after an hour.. is it concerning as I went to hospital last week and they mentioned this is due to small arteries
Strange feeling in my chest, could it be Angina.
Chest pain when stressed
Unstable angina gtn doesnt make difference?
Chest Pain After Heart Attack 
Chest pain that moves around
