microvascular angina and bradycardia

[Sunshinebrew]

I haven’t posted for a long while but had an episode of chest pain yesterday with a drop in my heart rate I was very unwell and had to lie in the floor to avoid fainting this happened during an art class and I was looked after by 2 doctors also at the art class I’ve been to A & E and it wasn’t a heart attack but I was looking for any similar experiences with a low heart rate causing symptoms and what was the cause and treatment

I’ve been referred to cardiologist and will see my GP but in the mean time can anyone offer advice or share their experience please.

I have microvascular angina also but have been fine overall but this fainting episode was quite scary

[Tos92]

Thank goodness you had those two doctors at your art class. I hope you’re feeling a little better today. I also have MVA. I did experience bradycardia on a calcium channel blocker called Verapamil when I was initially diagnosed with coronary vasospasms. The bradycardia naturally resolved on its own and I did not have any fainting spells from it. The MVA diagnosis is a recent addition.

What medications are you on? This may be contributing to it. You may find it worthwhile to check your heart rate. Do you have a device that can do this, such as an oximeter or a smart watch? If so, please make a note of this. This will be good information to present to your cardiologist.

If you do experience anymore fainting spells over the weekend, please call 999 or have someone drive you down to A&E immediately.

All the best.

Tos

[Sunshinebrew in reply to Tos92]

Thanks for your reply I appreciate it very much I’m hoping a change in meds will solve this I have a blood pressure monitor which takes the heart rate and mine is generally under 60 so I will make a note over next few days to tell the doctor when I see them thank you 😊

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

I am sorry you have had such a scary episode.

A severe coronary vasospasm can lead to heart arrthymias.

It has happened to me a few times. I have become semi conscious after a particularly long or severe episode of chest pain. I have also vomited during these episodes.

Scares the life out of my husband.

My Cardiologist tells me these episodes of fainting and arrthymias are due to my coronary vasospasms.

It's good to hear that you have been referred to a Cardiologist. It sounds as though you need a review of your medication

In the meantime keep a diary of your symptoms and see if there are any triggers of your chest pain.

Don't be shy about using your GTN spray if you have chest pain. Try and get the GTN in early before the chest pain becomes stronger.

I tend to periodically check my blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation levels when I have frequent episodes of chestpain.

I will then go into hospital to be checked out if I feel my coronary vasospasms are getting more unstable.

My Cardiologist advises that I should always call an ambulance to be taken to hospital as you could collapse in the back of a car during the journey

I wouldn't hesitate to call 111 or 999 again if your symptoms remain unstable.

I hope you feel better and more at ease soon.

[Sunshinebrew in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you for your reply it’s actually not the first time it’s happened I usually just have a lie down until I feel better and I’m always ok! but I do need further investigation by a cardiologist now so very glad I went to A & E that’s very interesting to hear that the vasospasm can cause this I will note my symptoms and heart rate blood pressure from now on I’ve been quite well fir so long seems it’s come back!

Interesting though the doctor I saw in A & E yesterday had read my notes and commented on MVA he said ‘we didn’t used to think this was anything serious but we do now and it’s recognised’ so there’s a lot more awareness of the condition than when I was first diagnosed 6 years ago which is very encouraging and he also said it’s very difficult to treat. I have to say my experience in A & E was very good.

Thanks so much I’ll keep you updated.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Sunshinebrew]

It's good to hear that finally the awareness of microvascular and vasospastic angina is growing.It makes all the difference when you meet an empathetic doctor.

[Jenzhearts]

hi I have Bradycardia and suspected MVD I have had dizzy spells and have had to have my meds adjusted as a result.good that you are being referred to a Cardiologist as they will be able to look at your medication.not got a lot to add as I’m fairly new to this but Milkfairy is a fountain of knowledge and is very helpful to us newbies.I hope you feel better soon xx

[Sunshinebrew in reply to Jenzhearts]

Thanks for your reply I appreciate it good to know there’s others with similar issues although it’s not something you want to have!

[bee2]

I have MVA and Bradycardia and know how you feel. On New Years day I felt lightheaded and breathless and couldn't stand up, my heart rate was 32bpm. I find when I have arrhythmias my heart rate goes lower. They have seen this when I was in hospital but they dont seem bothered. I saw a private cardiologist 2 weeks ago specifically for Arrhythmia and Bradycardia. I've just took back a 24hr monitor and will hopefully get the results on Monday. I am only on a low dose BP medication not sure if that could cause it.

[Sunshinebrew in reply to bee2]

Thank you for your reply that’s interesting my heart rate was just 30 when I nearly fainted and it’s usually really quite low around 50 but I’ll check it regularly now so I can tell the doctor. I have been told I have bradycardia years ago and now I’m on meds for BP and angina perhaps it’s just got worse.

It’s just very unsettling if it can drop suddenly with no warning and cause you to feel so ill though isn’t it!

I hope you get some answers from your results and I would be interested to hear what they say if you don’t mind let me know how you get on.

I wish you well x

[bee2 in reply to Sunshinebrew]

I had a heart attack last July and paramedics said my ECG showed Bigeminy whilst in hospital they cave me a loading dose of Ticagular (not sure that's spelt right) but it sent my heart and the machine crazy.. it was flashing up Multiple Arrhythmias and I could hardly breathe but nobody seemed too bothered 🥴 I also have Long QT Syndrome and have to watch what meds I am given but have to keep reminding them I have to start with small doses of what I can take. I read somewhere that Bradycardia can cause high BP I am going to check that out when I get my results.

[Sunshinebrew in reply to bee2]

Thank you for your reply and I do hope you feel better and get good results