Angina Lying Down

[70Percent]

Does anyone have insight into Angina arising when lying down that abates on sitting up?

I experience this from time to time, it’s milder but definitely that familiar Angina burn. At first it happened if I lay on my stomach and have been woken up by it.

After my diagnosis and regime of Beta Blocker, Asprin, Statin & slow release GTN combo that abated along with my symptoms generally although it does still occur after eating sometimes.

One lifestyle changes of mine taking a bit longer to bed in is smaller portions. I think some smaller plates are in order. It does sometimes happen that after a plate of food if I am reclining, what’s a sofa for anyway, I’ll start expecting chest pain and if I sit up straight it goes away.

I have had this occur even a few hours after dinner when going to bed also.

I’m trying to make some adjustments like eating less and earlier. Some days are easier than others and that does seem affect the symptoms.

Anyone have experience of this?

[Tos92]

It sounds like to me you might be describing indigestion or heart burn. Sometimes after eating, if you lie down, it can cause acid and small amounts of food to come back up into the throat or mouth. This can cause a burning sensation in your chest. I note that you say it alleviates if you sit upright, which can also be indicative of being symptomatic with indigestion.

Perhaps discuss an anti-acid or PPI with your GP to see if this helps. I personally take Gaviscon every night to avoid reflux whilst I’m asleep and get temporary relief from this until the next morning.

However, angina can mimic indigestion symptoms therefore, if ever in doubt, call 111 or make an appointment to see your GP or cardiologist.

Hopefully others will come by with useful information.

All the best.

Tos

[70Percent in reply to Tos92]

Cheers Tos92 .

I had considered that but where you say mimic this feels identical to angina, is that common.

Another confusing aspect is it is alleviated by using GTN spray, is that also to be expected with heart burn?

Cheers.

[Tos92 in reply to 70Percent]

70Percent if you’re saying that GTN provides relief to these chest pains when you do have them, then it may not be a case of indigestion as indigestion is not commonly treated with GTN as you’re probably already aware.

My cardiologist has advised that when I get similar pains to what you are describing, to take Gaviscon & paracetamol first with a cold glass of water. It if it hasn’t settled, then to take my GTN spray and follow the rule of 1-2 puffs under the tongue 5 minutes a part. If there is no relief from this, then it is a trip to the hospital.

I’ve had GI investigations to rule out hernias and stomach ulcers. I suggest you discuss this with your GP and see if this an option for you.

[70Percent in reply to Tos92]

Thanks for your reply. Useful info.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Tos92]

Yes.

Like you, I do get confused between indigestion and angina, even though I thought I had a v clear picture of my own unstable angina symptoms.

I get very similar symptoms after eating, and it reduces sitting upright, so I now reach for a Gaviscon as well as my GTN spray.

I made the same changes you did, eating earlier, and smaller portions (and eating slower), which helps a lot.. I also find (having been v stressed recently) that stress is more likely to give me angina than indigestion.

But were all different, and symptoms do seem to change over time, as well, so theres always something to learn!

If you are confused between the two….do, please act as if its angina. Indigestion isnt life threatening (I dont think?), but angina can be.

Good luck with it!

[tangotese]

Sometimes it may be indigestion. Do you tend to lie on your right side? I've heard if you change to lie on left side that can help.

[fishonabike]

as others have indicated, "heartburn" and angina are easily confused as they can feel very similar ( the clue might be in the name HEART-burn ?). But heartburn can have many causes and should be investigated and treated appropriately. Some heartburn is also helped by GTN, which makes it all the more confusing.

if you get this pain when reclining and after meals (as you say) you should stay upright after meals for a while - my mother has this from a hiatus hernia, so she finds that doing the washing up after her meals makes her stay upright for long enough to avoid the pain - caffeine can also be a trigger

but please remember that heartburn is a symptom not a condition, it is important to find out the cause and get the right treatment and advice

[70Percent]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Just to make Angina even trickier to navigate there’s this other thing that’s just like it, but not it!

[70Percent]

I had an appointment with a cardiac nurse today who explained that the stomach’s requirement for oxygenated blood increases during digestion and so this is similar to angina brought on by excursion.

This explains why the GTIN spray relives it.

I’m still none the wiser why lying down increases, and sitting up decreases it.

[Yodayodz]

I get that it seems I get it resting then when I eat feels like my angina is coming on or even a geart attack I sit up snd calm myself down it sometimes eases but other times I have to use my gtn spray wish I could get back to me

[70Percent in reply to Yodayodz]

I wish you well on your journey Yodayodz …

[Yodayodz in reply to 70Percent]

Thank you same to you

[70Percent]

Turns out this wasn’t indigestion or heart burn and completely disappeared upon being stented.

Even the cardiologist on the day was trying to convince me it was and just felt the same as angina.

I’m not certain he’s ever experienced it despite otherwise being quite good at his job!

[Debkowski]

Yes I do. So eat smaller earlier and don't sit on sofa until eatern meal have a little walk around then sit down. Lighter food and maybe just a snack before bed time . It's tricky just need to adjust accordingly.

[Vernazoubres]

yes, I have exactly that. I was very scared the first time, thinking it was a heart attack, but now I know that sitting upright means the angina will pass in 15/20 minutes.