Myocardial bridge

[Shazna]

Hi. I had a CT scan of the heart which showed short segment of bridging mid LAD, is that myocardial bridge. The cardiology department discharged me. I’m getting chest pain, pain in back, arms and neck. I went to A&E yesterday they referred me to ambulatory department, they did nothing, they didn’t believe me, they said the pain might be coming from somewhere else. ECG and blood test was normal.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

I am so sorry to hear of your experience.

I was admitted to hospital 11 years ago with a suspected heart attack.

I was incorrectly told at the time that I couldn't have angina or a heart attack because my coronary arteries are unblocked.

Later, I was diagnosed with vasospastic angina, following a specialised angiogram in 2014.

Even with a confirmed diagnosis I have still had poor experiences of care probably because my vasospastic angina is rare very few Cardiologists or cardiac nurses have much knowledge about the condition.

I do have a supportive Cardiologist now, it took me a while to find him.

There is research to suggest that women with heart disease don't always have the same level as care as men. There is a lack of awareness about how heart disease affects women.

academic.oup.com/eurheartj/...

The role of myocardial bridges is uncertain. Some Cardiologists believe them to be innocent bystanders others say they cause problems.

Your symptoms are real.

You are entitled to ask for a second opinion.

CT angiograms can sometimes not be as accurate as an invasive angiogram.

I suggest you ask to be seen by a Cardiologist who has some understanding of microvascular and vasospastic angina as well as myocardial bridges.

You may need to travel.

Where in the UK are you based.

[Shazna in reply to Milkfairy]

Watford Hertfordshire

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Shazna]

The forum guidelines ask for us not to name individual doctors on the forum.I can send you a message with details of a Cardiologist at Watford and in London.

[fishonabike in reply to Milkfairy]

can you let me have that list too please, i'm in herts and watford is my base for cardiology services

[Tos92]

Hi Shazna,

Do keep in mind that the size of bridging is often underestimated and there are cases where bridges have turned out to be longer and deeper during unroofing surgeries which explains why some people are severely symptomatic.

Small bridges however, are still potentially problematic and can also cause vasospasms/endothelial dysfunction which could be one possible reason for the chest pain, back pain, arm pain, and neck pain you are experiencing at the moment. This is a similar case for me.

Having the IVUS with dobutamine with the cardiologist in Hammersmith will determine if your bridge is hemodynamically significant as well. I have asked to be referred to him by my GP on the NHS. If you have a sympathetic doctor that is willing to work with you, you can ask for a referral to see the cardiologist at Hammersmith on the NHS if you do not want to go down the private route though be prepared to wait.

Pre-heart attack, I went back and forth to A&E and the GP with no significant outcome. I am fortunate that my GP has recently started to listen and work with me better.

You probably want to also ask to be referred for an MRI with Perfusion scan to determine the presence of ischemia which you can also request from your GP or cardiologist.

Have you joined the Facebook support group that I mentioned previously? You will find support and resources on there which you might find useful when it comes to having the confidence and more information on navigating your care and treatment.

All the best.

Tos

[Shazna in reply to Tos92]

Thank you

[Shadesof]

Oh boy, I know where your coming from.I had an MRI of my heart couple of months ago, showed nothing, yet I have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and on beta blockers and blood thinners.

I suffer from extreme breathlessness have done for the last 3 years, cant walk more than 50 yards , cant do any house work.

Yet no doctor can tell me what is causing it.

They always say its anxiety, even though I know it isn't. They want to give me anti depressants, but I find the side effects of these pills are bad.

I get the same feeling as you that they think its all in my head.

ECG always comes back normal.

I'm really fed up.