Long story short - had heart palpitations/chest pain back in Sep last year. After the usual batch of tests, was diagnosed with moderate stenosis of Mid-Lad.
Cardiologist prescribed statin and low dose Aspirin. Also, reassured me back then that the current blockages are not severe enough to be causing any chest pain. However, been having on/off days with annoying constant dull chest pain on the left side at rest. Not aggrevated by exertion.
Just a bit puzzled what is causing this - have manged to get chest clinic appointment for next week to have it examined further.
Is it muscle pain? Is it mental?
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TasteLessFood4Life
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Hello there. Yes I seem to have this often since my diagnosis with heart failure. But all arteries were crystal clear at the time back in 2020. But ever since I have had random pains come and go. All types. Sharp, dull. For seconds or for longer. Nothing triggers them. Mostly at rest. Exercise is fine and doesn't cause them. Very strange. Told it may just be the heart damaged muscle. A small amount will be mind too but most it's the heart. Maybe side effects to meds too..
I had my event back in September 2023 and am on meds. I find that i get pains , such as breathlessness, chest and back pain, my blood pressure shoots up at times when I'm stressed and I'm able to do less but all goes back to me normal when I calm down. Hope this helps somewhat to know there are others experiencing similar. Take care ☺️
Fluid around heart causes mine. It's not shown on x-rays but I can normally tell when it's happening normally confirmed by visible fluid later on. I get most of mine on chest and under arms rather than legs. It causes pains down sides of ribs around sternum and often under shoulder blades. I also get a persistent pain just right of centre.
Have a read about Microvascular Angina. I've just been diagnosed with this and just at the beginning of the journey. Test results can be clear and no blockages of the main arteries.
Hello,How was your microvascular angina diagnosed?
My vasospastic angina, another type of angina/ ischaemia non obstructive coronary arteries ANOCA/INOCA was diagnosed by an angiogram with acetylcholine in 2014.
Are you aware of this website created by four patients with over 60 years combined experience of living with microvascular or vasospastic angina.
Thank you for the information, I'll take a look. I had an angiogram with a view to a stent but the blockage wasn't as severe as previously thought (from a CT angiogram) . The Cardiologist then diagnose MVA. I see him next week to put together a medication plan.
Did they measure your coronary flow reserve and assess how the blood flows through your small blood vessels? It's important to get the correct diagnosis, the causes and possible treatment of microvascular and vasospastic angina are different.
I was originally presumed to have microvascular angina and prescribed beta blockers which can help people with microvascular angina.
I ended up in hospital with unstable angina. When I was later diagnosed with vasospastic angina I learned that beta blockers are to be avoided if you have vasospastic angina.
Maybe ask for further testing?
A cardiac perfusion MRI can diagnose microvascular dysfunction in some cases.
The only way to confirm a diagnosis of microvascular or vasospastic angina is by an functional angiogram.
These types of angiograms are available in a few centres.
Keeping a diary of your symptoms can help you identify your triggers of angina
Common ones are the cold, emotional, mental and physical stress.
Keeping a log of how you respond to your medication can help identify any possible side effects.
I tend to introduce one medication at a time.
Microvascular and vasospastic angina are complex conditions and sadly many Cardiologists do not have a great deal of knowledge about how to care for us as patients. Though this is improving and there is a growing awareness of these types of angina.
It can take trial and error to find the best combination of medication that will work best for you as an individual.
Exercise is important.
Probably the biggest challenge is the psychological impact of living with microvascular and vasospastic angina.
Our quality of life can be greatly negatively affected.
Yes I also have random pains( discomfort ) in upper body..every day.Not at night .I have a lot of indigestion..and a “burp” makes some of the pains go ? When I am getting discomfort ..raises my anxiety levels thereby increasing likelihood of discomfort. Whenever I mention this ..stock reply is “ If it lasts or gets too much” go to. A & E …m..probably be there everyday..just want someone to say “grin and bear it “
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