Hello all & a very Happy New Year!
Some may have noticed (or may not) that I have not been very active on HU for sometime. For those that may already know my heart history, I had a MINOCA (myocardial infarction in non-obstructed arteries) in Jan 2022 whilst on holiday. I was diagnosed with coronary artery spasms, and a congenital heart defect in the form of a myocardial bridge which was considered the culprit.
I have struggled with a concrete diagnosis and treatment plan since coming back to the U.K. due to it being an under-diagnosed condition and very limited support from my local hospital. I recently went private and saw an INOCA specialist (ischaemia in non-obstructed arteries) after my GP mixed up my referral to be seen on the NHS due to an increase in my symptoms.
It has been the best money I have spent going private to date! The cardiologist almost immediately gave me my diagnoses without testing which he will not pursue at this time due to a spasm already being seen at the site of my bridge. He said that my clinical picture is very clear, and I not only have coronary artery spasms (CAS), but I also have microvascular angina (MVA). I was symptomatic for a 1.5 years prior to the MINOCA, with daily chest pain and upper back pain and now it makes sense having added MVA to the diagnosis of CAS.
The specialist is now working with me to create a treatment plan that will help provide symptomatic relief and I am hopeful after a long time. I will be referred to a colleague of his for future follow-ups and maintenance, as he has now retired from the NHS and only holds a small private clinic for complex cases like mine. He was very empathetic, professional, and knowledgeable which really made a difference.
Needless to say, it is a huge relief. I have been treated by cardiologists that have dismissed my symptoms, made me to believe I was perhaps crazy, or brushed it off as something entirely different that was not cardiac related.
If anyone is in a similar position, I used the below site to locate the specialist, INOCA International. They also have a sister Facebook page which I will also link and they have been tremendously supportive. I am happy to provide the specialists’ details to those who would like to see him via a PM.
facebook.com/groups/2879606...
I hope my experience might be helpful to those that are still struggling when it comes to a diagnosis regarding CAS and MVA in the U.K.
Wishing good health to all and I look forward to engaging on the forum again ❤️