further to before re cardiac mri - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

50,129 members31,639 posts

further to before re cardiac mri

Jenzhearts profile image
16 Replies

today I phoned the bhf and we spoke at length about my recent cardiac mri.

She said I have a small scar on my heart but it’s not affecting my blood flow.

That often a cardiac mri doesn’t show up Microvascular arteries and there isn’t a lot known about the condition at the moment.

We talked about what else could be causing my chest pain eg oesophageal problem but I don’t have indegestion reflux or have difficulty swallowing.

Anxiety well yes I have it and have had attacks iver the years but not one has had pain down my arm back shoulder jaw and under my left breast.

She has advised me to ask for clarity from my cardiologist as I have 3/4 diff letters with diff diagnosis on.which I’m going to.she mentioned spasms and said she would send me an email with info.and she has sent me info on MVD and also vasospastic angina which I know little about.

I’ve been reading and the Cleveland clinic says the gold standard for diagnosing is the Cardiac Catheterization,well I’ve had 4 of those.I when I was having a STEMI one in Dec which diagnosed MVD another one 2 weeks ago that failed as the wire kept getting stuck and bent and the provocative one where he said he thought it was MVD then referred me for a cardiac MRI and now I have no Angina or cardiac pain

Lots to take in and my head is spinning.

Thank you for reading

Written by
Jenzhearts profile image
Jenzhearts
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
16 Replies
Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725

I'm glad you got your results quickly, how long was you waiting for yours? I been waiting nearly 6 months for mine 😬. Which is obviously good but I don't do well waiting for test results and I'm sure I'm not the only one x.

Jenzhearts profile image
Jenzhearts in reply to Yumz199725

I got them the next day as I was an inpatient 6 months! Wow that is long usually I think they take 2/3 weeks perhaps give your gp a nudge and see where they are xx

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725 in reply to Jenzhearts

Oh wow ok next day x 6 months that's rough! ❤️ I've tried emailing but no one will tell me 😔xx

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Yumz199725

Have you contacted the Patient Advisory Liaison Service PALS? They can help. It's your legal right to be given copies of your test results and medical records.

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725 in reply to Milkfairy

I will definitely be doing that thank you x

Davidc1075 profile image
Davidc1075 in reply to Yumz199725

Me two where are you being treated ?

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725 in reply to Davidc1075

St barts 😬

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

The gold standard for diagnosing microvascular dysfunction and coronary vasospasms is a functional angiogram.

Adenosine and guidewires are used to assess how the blood flows through the small vessels, this can diagnose microvascular dysfunction.

Acetylcholine is then injected into the coronary arteries to see how the coronary arteries react.

Normal functioning coronary arteries should dilate in response to acetylcholine, if the coronary arteries constrict, there are ECG changes accompanied by chest pain then , vasospastic angina is diagnosed.

In the US the term provocative angiogram is used.

If there is no mention of acetylcholine being used then it's not a ' provocative ' angiogram.

My vasospastic angina was confirmed by an angiogram with acetylcholine. I had spontaneous and acetylcholine induced coronary vasospasms, ST elevations and depressions and lots of chest pain.

I was given IV morphine to help relieve the pain.

https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/41/37/3504/5867624
Jenzhearts profile image
Jenzhearts in reply to Milkfairy

Thanks, I’ve not received the results of that one which was done by the consultant who had me in tears on the diagnosis for that angiogram he put unstable Angina so I need to see the test results .he did do a stress test during that one xx

Marc7 profile image
Marc7 in reply to Milkfairy

Hello,

Very helpful,, but the extract looks to be incorrect as the bottom 4 boxes - green & yellow are indentcal? So if taken from a text book it may need to be corrected?

I think the yellow one at (3) maybe? Needs to vary to ECG changes - Yes?

Or - cardiac pain - Yes?

Or - up to 90% reduction in dilation?

If there is a cardiologist on here to put that diagram right

Thanks

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply to Marc7

The chart was published in a consensus document, a summary of the views of an expert panel organized by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), appraising the importance of ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA).

I have given the reference to the document below the diagram.

Where you'll find a full explanation.

Another useful resource on how microvascular and vasospastic angina are diagnosed can be found on the Coronary Vasomotor Disorder International Study Group's COVADIS website.

covadis.online/definitions/

Or see the consensus document from the microvascular dysfunction workstream of the BHF and National Institute of Healthcare Research NIHR partnership.

heart.bmj.com/content/109/2/88

Cairnview profile image
Cairnview

Dont let them fob you off with telling you its anxiety, Ive suffered anxiety and panic attacks for years when I had my first heart attack, first they gave me peptide saying it was heartburn even though I never suffered from heartburn, then back they came and said they were sure it was a panic attack, I told them that I had suffered panic attacks for years and this definately wasnt a panic attack only when the blood tests came back did they then verify that it was an NSTEMI heart attack so stick to your guns and demand answers if you know something isnt right

Jenzhearts profile image
Jenzhearts in reply to Cairnview

Thank you Cairnview I too have suffered with panic attacks for years like you and I know the difference.

I just tried a test it’s a bit stupid of me but I just went to put rubbish in the bin, it’s really cold and lo and behold couple of mins later the pains started.well that’s not panic or indegestion as I’ve not eaten anything yet.my daughter said they have gas lighted me into believing I’m imagining things!

Thanks for your reply and I won’t let them fob me off

Jenzhearts profile image
Jenzhearts

Today I have started the complaint procedure.

I’ve sent an email asking for a copy of the minutes of the “bedside” meeting that I attended on Tuesday.

I was told to contact health records which I have but that can take up to 30 days.

I replied back saying that I’ve read the nhs minutes guidance and although I can’t find anything on “bedside” meetings and minutes I would like a copy emailing to me and put in the post so it’s a start.there are so many things that have gone on and my head is spinning so I’m just starting off gently

Bunkular profile image
Bunkular

Good for you for being your own advocate and asking for info. That's what is required or you could "fall through the cracks."

Jenzhearts profile image
Jenzhearts in reply to Bunkular

Thank you Bunkular I feel like I’ve been emotionally/mentally assaulted after Tuesday I was ready to give up thinking perhaps I’m imagining things but no il carry on.I need answers xx

You may also like...

Delayed cardiac MRI results worries

you waited for your cardiac MRI results and what the outcome was? I had my MRI in June and was...

Cardiac MRI

fellow BHF friends I’ve just had a call from Guys and St Thomas hospital telling me I need to have...

cardiac stress perfusion MRI

effects practically cured my angina. I’ve just today had a cardiac stress MRI and when the stress...

Cardiac Stress MRI anxiety

Hello everyone, I have been requested to attend for a Cardiac Stress MRI scan next week to...

MRI Cardiac Myocardial Viability

However, I have now checked my hospital app and seen that I have been referred for an ‘MRI Cardiac...