unstable or stable angina.: can angina... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

50,066 members31,602 posts

unstable or stable angina.

Maxbar profile image
18 Replies

can angina present its self as indigestion mine seems to come on at rest even sometimes in the middle of the night.makes me feel like I need to burp the gtn spray does seem to bring some relief , never get it when I'm exercising .don't no what brings it on really but am thinking it might be when I have over done it had a tiring day.

Written by
Maxbar profile image
Maxbar
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
18 Replies
cocobearbhf profile image
cocobearbhf

I don’t know what the official opinion is on this, but I have a similar experience to you.

I take gaviscon most days now (alongside all the other drugs!).

Kristin1812 profile image
Kristin1812Heart Star in reply to cocobearbhf

Your question about stable or unstable angina. Initially, I found it hard to decide which it was, as the symptoms seemed the same.

As I monitored all my angina more, I noticed that, if I exercised over a certain HR I would get angina, and it went away pretty quickly, when I slowed down. That was stable angina.

Unlike this, my unstable angina seemed to come from nowhere, when I was resting after exercise or after a v busy day, and at night when it could wake me from sleep. GTN spray did halt both anginas, but with unstable, it more often returned swiftly.

Note. A Cardio nurse told me Gaviscon was OK for heart patients’ indigestion as it didn’t reduce gut absorption (of other drugs we take) as much as other over-the-counter indigestion pills.

Yodayodz profile image
Yodayodz in reply to Kristin1812

I'm not sure what's going on with mine I am being treated for angina but like I'm sat here now and I'll be getting pains some strong dome not I can get them anytime but palpitations have been waking me in the night so waiting to see venetucci heart doctor this wekk so we'll see x

Maxbar profile image
Maxbar in reply to Yodayodz

I have mentioned to 2 cardiologist the fact that I get this indegestion /feeling the need to burp it up, must be my angina presenting it's self as I have never experienced the classic hold your chest heart attack type . they both just looked at me in disbelief really.so I really don't know what's going on lately I have started using the gtn spray before I go to bed and it seems to be helping. I take 30mg of lansoprozle each morning an hour before eating ,

and the occasional dose of gaviscon . I have had the cameras down into my stomach 2 years ago which found nothing untoward . seeing the consultant next week hopefully to discuss my MRI scan and maybe a treatment plan for my cad.

if I can be a help to anyone please ask, and I am grateful for all input.

👍🙏

Yodayodz profile image
Yodayodz in reply to Maxbar

The feeling needing to burp ut up I get all the time like wind but I think its my angina just not a bad angi a attack if u get what I mean I do have something to say privately about a prayer if u believe in the so please feel fee to message me privately x

pasigal profile image
pasigal in reply to Maxbar

I have the exact same experience. I have also had several endoscopies. No relief with lanzoprazole 30 mg; only if I severely modify my diet have I found some relief. I also switched from aspirin to plavix. I have had heart attacks but not classic angina. I've tried GTN patches, but they didn't help with the chest pains/tightness. So I believe it's reflux/GERD related. But it's been a constant battle for me.

mikealford profile image
mikealford in reply to Maxbar

Right side mi presents as indigestion with jaw pain.

Kristin1812 profile image
Kristin1812Heart Star

I hope your appointment clarifies things for you.

Mentdent profile image
Mentdent

It can. Mine did for several years. I’ve now learned to differentiate between the two.

benjijen profile image
benjijen

My angina is only at rest and can wake me up sometimes. I also can feel it in my stomach at times. I never have chest pains. Always stomach, neck, between shoulder blades and jaw. GTN spray works quite well and I keep a spread sheet of any times I need to use it more than once so I have a record. Gaviscon helps when it goes to my stomach as well. If you're worried you should speak to your GP.

momander profile image
momander

HiYes, unstable angina can feel like indigestion. It is the most serious of the 2 types if angina as it is unpredictable and usually presents itself when we are at rest or even sleeping. Stable angina is the most common one where it is predictable and usually brought on by some form of physical exertion. I had unstable angina and heart disease which was genetic on my mother's side of the family. Do you have a diagnosis of a heart condition? I would say to contact your GP or phone 111 or 999 if you have any concerning feelings of angina or tightness in the chest . Better to have ot checked out. I have had 3 heart attacks, 2 stents, then a double cabg last year. I hope you manage to get to the bottom of your attacks. Stay well.

Maxbar profile image
Maxbar in reply to momander

I am under the cardiologist for treatment to 70% blocked Lad not doing to bad considering they couldn't stent and don't think it's severe enough for surgery.just keep myself as fit as I can considering .

fishonabike profile image
fishonabike

angina (pain caused by insufficient blood supply to your heart muscle) can present in a variety of ways including feeling like indigestion - but some types of indigestion-like pain (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux) also respond to GTN

the classic heart-cluching pain is only one way angina presents, others are a tight, dull or heavy pain in your chest, left arm or shoulder, pain in the neck or jaw

if it comes on while you are at rest (e.g. at night) i would suspect microvascular issues, particularly if you are a woman - there are posts about his here, you can search for them and see what Milkfairy says and see the responses to the next post by Kimmy60

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

Don't know about angina but the ONLY symptom I had when i had a heart attack was horrific indigestion for 3 days. Heart and stomach are closely connected.

dunestar profile image
dunestar

I have both microvascular angina and acid reflux. Funnily enough I never get pain from the angina but the acid reflux can be very painful. For me though I do know when the pain comes from indigestion because there's a cause and effect aspect to it. If I eat something I shouldn't then I will get pain a short while after. I try not to eat much in the evening so I avoid going to bed with a full stomach. Can you connect your pain to what you are eating ? But on the other hand pain in the middle of the night is a classic symptom of vasospastic angina.

wischo profile image
wischo

Get it rechecked as it is almost impossible to differentiate between angina and acid reflux disease. Even most GPs find it difficult to distinquish the difference. I would try a full dose of Gaviscon just before going to bed as acid reflux is more prone to cause pain when lying down as the acid can easily flow into your chest (esophagus). this cause pain very similar to angina.

pasigal profile image
pasigal in reply to wischo

I have struggled to also tell whether I have cardiac or GI pain. Worst part is that the uncertainly causes anxiety, which then worsens the symptoms! Has landed me in the hospital a few times, but I haven' had a confirmed cardiac event in nearly 3 years.

Etblue profile image
Etblue

I struggle to differentiate pain from chronic back and shoulder pain. I think the angina episode feels like a steel bra and pressure on chest and upper stomach. I am keeping a diary re episode's to keep me better informed. The difficulty arises when, I think, is both angina and back pain together.Good luck with your health.

You may also like...

How long does angina normally last stable/unstable?

Hiya guys, How long does angina normally last (Continuously) does it last for seconds ie, (A few...

Crescendo Angina v Unstable Angina

I was diagnosed with unstable angina a couple of years ago, which after various tests was classified

Holiday and unstable angina advice

have frequent unstable angina and my husband cant come who usually helps me when not well. I am...

Living with unstable angina advice

any advice and support for living with unstable Angina, i have been in hospital 13 times in 3...

Living with Unstable Angina

doesn’t go after taking my gtn spray 3 times but it is always just angina so now I don’t bother....