Is anxiety discomfort angina?

[MrPrognosis]

I'm really puzzled as to when anxiety pain or discomfort becomes true angina. Any stressful event within the family causes me to suffer discomfort in the centre of the chest which can last for quite some time. It never spreads to anywhere else. I have just had to write an e-mail complaint to my energy supplier and that has brought it on a little.

However, walking every day at a reasonable pace for at least half an hour does not bring it on. Does anyone know if the stress discomfort is purely that or true angina brought on by a certain situation? I have moderate aortic stenosis and have suffered with very bad anxiety for years.

I know this seems almost trivial compared to most other posts on this thread but for me it is troubling. Any thoughts would be welcome.

[Happyrosie]

I’m sure you know already that angina is one of (possibly several) symptoms of reduced blood flow to the muscle of the heart. Usually caused by a restriction in the blood vessels that supply it, as they supply any organ in the body.

Angina is not always easy to diagnose. Possibly hence your uncertainty. I’m fairly unsure that aortic stenosis would be associated with angina but could well be wrong. My advice would be for you to consult an authority on this rather than us lay people,

[MrPrognosis in reply to Happyrosie]

Happyrosie

Thanks for your reply. I did see my GP in the summer. ECG showed left bundle branch block and i was referred to chest pain clinic. Echo there showed aortic stenosis had progressed to moderate. After a long wait i got to see cardiac specialist. He did not even look at the chest pain diary that i had filled in meticulously and did not mention angina. The bundle branch block is apparently not a major problem and he said a CT scan might just bring up something else for me to worry about before i need to worry! Just come back in a year for another echo. I guess i should have been more forceful but i did not want to seem disrespectful. Prior to seeing the specialist the cardiac nurse had squealed with excitement at how loud my heart murmur was! Sometimes 'authority' can make things worse or at least leave you in limbo.

[Teresarc in reply to MrPrognosis]

Hi I too have LBBB with EF of 45to 50 so below norm but not in a the zone of 35 and below . I was given a small dose of candestatin to help my heart pump . I too get awful heavy chests and when I do I check my BP but it is always within normal , I am putting it down to anxiety , which I have never had before . But I am finding if I can stressed my chest becomes heavy and I feel unwell . But nothing on the heart monitor . So I am working on not getting stressed . So just been relaxed . Although I sometimes wake up with it even though I am very insistent I get my 8 hours of good sleep . So you are not alone and I am seeing my cardiologist in a year . I am borderline cardiomyopathy and he is just trying to help my heart but not cause any damage . So it’s steady as she goes . I hope this helps

[MrPrognosis in reply to Teresarc]

Hi Teresarc

Thank you for your response.

I was not given an EF figure. The letter to my GP just said that i had a partial left bundle branch block. I would like to know what the readings mean but the cardiac specialist was only interested in my aortic valve stenosis. I have suffered with very bad anxiety for years and know that it can cause quite severe physical problems.

All the best

[benjijen]

If you take your GTN spray and it goes it's probably angina? Worth trying. Obviously have a call with GP.

[MrPrognosis in reply to benjijen]

Hi benjijen

According to the leaflet that comes with the GTN spray you are not supposed to use it if you have aortic valve stenosis. I see my GP next week and will ask what alternatives are available. Thanks for getting in touch.

[Drummer20]

Hi Prognosis,I’m sitting in bed having my first coffee of the day.You are not being trivial.I had central chest pain brought on by tiredness,stressful situations and getting upset.I didn’t get the pain with exercise at first but just before my operation to fix the valve I did.I was diagnosed as having aortic valve disease which they classified as mild to moderate.I had no coronary artery disease just the valve disease.

It wasn’t until the valve disease was seen as severe that the cardio surgeon told me the pain could be caused by the stenosis.

The thing is I’ve had the valve fixed in August and I don’t ever get chest pain or palpitations like I used to.So it must have been the valve causing the symptoms.I’m not saying that’s always the case and cutting down on caffeine,meditation etc is a good idea too.

[MrPrognosis in reply to Drummer20]

Hi Drummer20

Thanks for your response. Nice to hear that you are still enjoying your coffee! I'm 74 and see little point in forcing myself onto, for instance, a plant based diet after whatever heart treatment i may need in the future. I suffer with very bad anxiety and have had a tight chest during a stressful situation other times over the years, but it does seem to trigger for the most trivial reasons lately. What i do get on my walks occasionally are chest spasms. They are not pain but frightening. Cardiac specialist just dismissed them. Would you be kind enough to tell me how long it was before your valve disease went from moderate to severe? I'm glad that you are doing so well and hope you have a good Christmas.

[Drummer20 in reply to MrPrognosis]

Hi Prognosis,It took seven years for my valve to progress from mild to moderate to severe.I just noticed your reply.Hope you have a nice Christmas xx

[Teresarc]

I have complete Lbbb hence my candestatin

[Windmill6]

Hello, I read your thread withat great interest, do you think your anxiety could be hormone related?If I walk for half an hour I feel fine but if I have to deal with any stress at all ( Even something like sorting out a telephone query) it makes me slightly anxious.

Mine is related to a hormone excess for which I am being treated now.

Best of luck in finding the answers.

[MrPrognosis in reply to Windmill6]

Windmill6

Thanks for your reply. A hormone excess is something that i had never thought about and i will look into it.

Best wishes

[Furryears]

Hi I have just read your post and can relate to all that you have written,I really do not know what is wrong with me whenever I get worked up over anything I get a really tight chest and pain, I did use my spray the other day and it helped, I’m trying to calm myself down whenever I start to feel like this.

Even a shopping trip can make me like it

I do t k ow what the answer is but I am sure there are lots of people going through the same, I think for me it’s time to speak to the doctor!

Keep us posted how you get on 😊

[MrPrognosis]

Furryears

Thank you for your reply. The problem for me is whether the chest tightness is simply a response to stress or is the stress bringing on a bout of real angina? the GP gave me a GTN spray but after reading the info leaflet i dare not try it as it says not suitable for someone with aortic valve stenosis! To be honest i have had this tightness on and off over several years when a stressful situation arises but it has been worse recently. Bad anxiety is a terrible thing and it can wear down your family almost as much as yourself.

Good luck with your GP visit!