CT Angiogram today

[lynne0_0]

Hi. Today I had a ct angiogram. My chest aches this evening. Is that normal I wonder?Thanks inadvance x

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

Were you given beta blockers before the CT angiogram to slow your heart rate?

[lynne0_0 in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes I was x

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to lynne0_0]

Have you been prescribed beta blockers before?

Beta blockers can make coronary vasospasms worse.

I was prescribed beta blockers before my diagnosis of vasospastic angina was confirmed and I ended up in hospital with unstable angina.

I suggest you keep a log of your symptoms and if your symptoms don't resolve get in contact with your GP.

[lynne0_0 in reply to Milkfairy]

No I havent had it before. It was just the one.dose to slow the heart enough to get the images.The cardiac nurse has just phoned me. I must admit as was very nervous when I realised he was phoning with my results from only yesterday!He enquired how I was. I confirmed terrible! He said that the ct angiogram showed no blockage, narrowing or even fatty deposit, which I think he said for me in my mid sixties they would've expected some. Great news. But then I thought...now the fight begins to get the small vessels looked at or even find someone with knowledge of this. But as this thought was germinating in me the cardiac nurse said....so we will arrange an echo and 24hrs ( or maybhave been 48hr)monitor to look at the functions and( has he described it) further down the tree. He said this is why he had prescribed the amlodipine to me in November. He also advised that I do now start the monomil isosorbide mononitrate. Give it 4days. If improved keep taking. If no improvement then stop. Report back to him in a couple of weeks.

I feel a huge sense of relief that someone has.got.my back on this one. I know that I haven't had the 'all clear', but I am over the first hurdle and there is a plan to investigate further. I was speaking to my sister(a previous cardiac sister) and we did both think I may have to pay privately to get more investigations as this is a very hospital who are fire fighting. So I am really impressed and relieved. These tests will happen in one and two months.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to lynne0_0]

It's good to hear that the cardiac nurse is considering the cause of your symptoms could be microvascular or vasospastic angina.

A stress echocardiogram can in some instances show whether the small blood vessels can dilate or stay dilated in response to exercise, microvascular dysfunction.

Vasospastic angina is due to transient constrictions of the coronary arteries and isn’t usually triggered by exercise. Coronary vasospasms tend to occur at rest especially during the night and early morning.

An invasive functional angiogram when the function of the small blood vessels is assessed using adenosine and guide wires, followed by acetylcholine to see if coronary vasospasms present is not carried out in many centres.

I had my angiogram with acetylcholine in 2014, carried put by an experienced Cardiologist at a NHS heart centre of excellence. There were 8 people in the room.

I am unaware of any private hospitals who have the ability to offer this type of testing.

There is a the iCorMicA study which is a trial to diagnose microvascular angina.

There are 25 centres in the UK taking part.

Perhaps discuss this study with the Cardiac nurse?

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NC...

You may find this website helpful too.

internationalheartspasmsall...

Where in the UK are you based?

[lynne0_0 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you so much for all this information. I think it would have taken me months if ever, that I could gather such useful stuff.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am glad you had the CT angiogram done and I hope you did not find it as bad as you thought it was going to be

I also hope the aching has settled down now and you are feeling better

Keep us updated x

[lynne0_0]

Hello, I have to say to others that the ct angiogram was nothing to be worried about. I guess it is the fear of the unknown and mot knowing how I would react to the dye or medication.I am more fatigued than usual today and my chest is still a little ache. Not sure why that is. Thank you for asking. X