Still waiting Follow up re MVA and spasms

[Mitzi-]

While still waiting follow up appointment to get advice on drugs ended up in A&E couple days ago. Had a spasm that lasted a few days and finally got too much , extreme pressure in my chest and neck /throat. Also felt and was actually shaking. Although hospital kind and tried to be helpful still on my Ranexa and Tildiem. Does anyone else have this pressure up to jaw line and is this common for it to last for days. Usually I get this if walking up hill and it just lasts few minutes, but this was quite frightening.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,I am sorry to hear you have been to A&E.

After I have had a period of prolonged coronary vasospasms, I will feel ache in my heart. It feels bruised.

I feel my angina pain in my upper back, left side of my head and left arm.

I feel as though I have had my chest has been put in a vice and I can't breathe in.

We all respond to medication differently. However the usual treatment offered for coronary vasospasms is a calcium channel, Isosorbide mononitrate nitrate and GTN patches.

Other possible options are nicorandil.

Sometimes medications such as Ramipril or Candesartin are tried.

Statins are often prescribed to try and improve the function of the lining of the blood vessels.

Aspirin or an antiplatelet are other medications that are often prescribed.

Ranolazine is an interesting medication. It tends to help people with a reduced coronary flow reserve if they have microvascular dysfunction rather than coronary vasospasms.

Ranolazine is a marmite medication it seems to work and you love it or it doesn't.

Very few A&E doctors have much knowledge of how to treat microvascular or vasospastic angina. Nor do many Cardiologists either.

Perhaps contact the medical secretary of your Cardiologist and say you have been in A&E recently. You could ask for a cancellation.

Maybe go back to your GP to say your symptoms are not being well controlled on the present medication.

Over the 11 years of living with vasospastic angina and being admitted to hospital once or twice a year, I have learned to be persistent and not expect the healthcare professionals I encounter to know very much about microvascular or vasospastic angina.

I hope you are able to access the care you need sooner rather than later.

[Mitzi-]

Many thanks as always. I still did not see a cardiologist in hospital. A doctor and a very helpful clinician who explained meds to me. The neck tightening and breathlessness has still not completely gone after this latest episode. Best wishes to you on your on going battle.