Is it normal?

[Mamto1]

Hi. I'm 49. Last Thursday I had the shock of my life and had a heart attack. My arteries went into spasm and closed. Then opened back up again. I had a few attacks like this. I was taken for and angiogram where no blockage was found so it was decided medication was the way to go. A Couple of hours later I was rushed back to the lab after a bad attack. My artery had ruptured. My question really, I feel like I can feel my heartbeat and when I check my pulse it seems to be skipping a bit. Is this normal? It's early days on my meds but I'm frightened something is wrong. To be honest I'm just frightened as a whole.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

Welcome to the forum.

I am so sorry to hear that you have had such a frightening experience.

I have lived with vasospastic angina which is caused by transient constrictions / spasms of my coronary arteries for 11 years.

I am alot of medication as that is the only treatment option available.

It can take a while to find the best combination of medication that will help you best.

Have your Cardiology team explained what happened?

Have they suggested you may have had a spontaneous coronary artery dissection, SCAD.

Have you been offered Cardiac Rehabilitation? Maybe get in touch with them. They are usually very supportive and knowledgeable.

Some Cardiac Rehab centres have Cardiac Psychologists to provide extra support.

Maybe have a chat with your GP about how you are feeling?

There are various support groups for people living with SCAD or Vasospastic angina which you may find helpful.

beatscad.org.uk/

internationalheartspasmsall...

The cardiac nurses on the BHF helpline are also very knowledgeable so perhaps give the helpline a call too?

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

There are several members of the forum who have had a SCAD or live with Vasospastic angina and hopefully they will be along to share their experiences with you too.

The BHF has this information, it includes a link to a Facebook support group.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I suggest if you feel unwell you contact your GP or Cardiology team.

[Mamto1 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you for your reply. They've explained a bit but so much went on it's hard to take it all in. I have an appointment with the rehabilitation team on Monday but have their number so am going yo ring this morning. My heart did settle eventually after taking my night meds.

So I'm hoping it's just going to be a tweak needed to them.

Thank you for all the links etc. I will certainly look into them and take some of the things you have mentioned to chat about on Monday.

I definitely think I need to speak this all out with someone.

[Anon2023]

hi. I’m so sorry to read about what you’ve been through. I haven’t had a heart attack but I have other problems with my heart. It can feel terrifying when we discover that things aren’t working as well as they might and it’s important to know that you aren’t alone. There are many kind and knowledgeable people on this forum who I’m sure will be along shortly to offer advice. I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you and sending you best wishes.

[Mamto1 in reply to Anon2023]

Thank you.

[Tos92]

Hi Mamto1

I’m sorry to hear about your heart attack. I had a similar event last year when my myocardial bridge (congenital heart defect) spasmed and triggered a MINOCA (myocardial infarction in non-obstructed arteries). I have since been symptomatic even more everyday, particularly at rest where I get chest pain which radiates to my upper back, arm and sometimes jaw. Throughout my journey so far, I have come to find out that a diagnosis is important and also ruling out the cause for the heart attack so that the appropriate treatment can be provided. What investigations have you had so far?

In terms of the heart rate, I experience on occasion, an abnormal heart rhythm. I had an unusually high heart rate before my MINOCA which was probably an indication that something may have been wrong but my burden of ectopics and other abnormal heart rates were low. I am not particularly concerned about mine as they are harmless for the most part. As your event was very recent, it may help put your mind at ease by touching base with your GP or cardiologist. They can do further investigations such as a holter monitor and an echocardiogram for your heart rate.

It might also be useful to make note of whether you feel you have any triggers for the coronary artery spasms, as I see you mentioned you had a few attacks. For me, any kind of stress, emotional or physical can trigger it, high altitudes, as well the cold.

I can see you have been provided with some information by other members already. Please check out the following site which might be useful to you where they have both INOCA (ischaemia with no obstructed coronary arteries) and MINOCA specialists.

inocainternational.com

They also have a Facebook group which I find particularly useful too. I will link this below in case you are interested.

facebook.com/groups/2879606...

I wish a smooth and speedy recovery.

All the best.

Tos

[Mamto1 in reply to Tos92]

I've only really had what was done in hospital, the angiogram, eco and ecg's then the meds. Not sure if the plan on doing anything further. I know I have to repeat some out patients wise.

I have an appointment with the cardiac rehabilitation nurse on Monday so will take a lot of what has been suggested by everyone there as questions. I am also going to ring this morning to say about last night for some advice.

Thank you for your reply.