I’m caring for my 71 year old mother. She has had angina for a number of years but episodes were like 2/3 a year. Last 6 weeks she has felt unwell. Thrice we have had to take her to A&E with severe pain down the left arm, neck and shoulder as well as chest, in last 6 weeks. Last night she was sent away again. She has a GTN spray but been prescribed bisopralol and Isosorbide mononitrate. She’s not sleeping because of the arm pain and I feel the hospital are just not taking it seriously enough I am so worried she will have a heart attack. She has a 24hr ECG test today. I really think she needs to see a cardiologist but how can I convince our GP to do this? My anxiety is so high I can’t even work nor concentrate. They just keep saying if she gets another episode bring her back!! What if it’s a heart attack next time and it’s too late?! What can I do?
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Sitara23
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Hi welcome. Hopefully the 24hr monitor will pick up if anything is going on.
I think they are taking it seriously they have to stay calm so she don’t get panicked. They’ve started a process with the monitor She already suffers from angina, which I know nothing about. The process might seem slow but it seems like they are doing things to find out what’s going on.
Did they do ECG and blood tests? They would show if she’s having a heart attack or at risk.
A cardiologist will only work from what they see on the tests and if need be do more tests before they decide what to do.
I have a heart condition and I know at a&e they consult with cardiologists regarding patients they see, hence the ordering of the 24 hour monitor and the added medication.
I hope they find out what’s going on. Please let us know. All the best.
Thanks, yes they did blood tests and confirmed she didn’t have heart attack, that it’s angina. Her 24hr ECG was completed today so awaiting results. She has started on bisoprolol and the isosorbide. I also think (naturally) her anxiety is high because she is feeling scared. Which is adding to her feelings of unwellness.
Your mother might have a type of heart condition which is mostly seen in women, but is very poorly understood by the medical community - check out info on these two sites and bring this to the attention og your GP (who probably knows very little about it)
Bisoprolol is given to people who have angina, it slows the heart down. I've been taking bisoprolol for over 8 years now. I also take isosorbide mononitrate, the two work together well. Isosorbide mononitrate opens up the vessels to allow blood to flow more easily. If I don't take it, I can't walk to my local bus stop, 300 yards. When I do take (which I do) I can go to the gym and do an hour work out with no bother. Bisoprolol has a calming effect on the body and to begin can affect one's sleep pattern. The body will adjust, and your mum will be fine. I would agree, go see a cardiologist. There are not that many about, so the NHS is very full. Maybe privately, up to you.
I suggest you ask your mum to keep a log of her symptoms and how this is impacting on her life. Show this to her GP.
In particular make the GP or any doctor you see in A&E aware of your mum's symptoms of angina at rest, especially if her chestpain keeps her awake at night.
Chest pain at rest needs to be investigated. I suggest you ask your GP to refer your mum to the rapid chest pain clinic.
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