Hi
I’ve had heart issues for a year now. I’ve had CT scans, stress tests, ultrasound, and an angioplasty in which no major blockages were found. I’m told I’m on the max dose of stations, & BP meds. My cardio recently declared that it may be small vessel disease, for which I read there is no cure.
My question is this: how do people cope when they can hardly walk due to exhaustion and have chest pain if they dare to move? I think if I just sit in a chair all day I will go downhill very rapidly!
Hello,
Did your Cardiologist suggest you may have microvascular angina?
I have lived with vasospastic angina for over 11 years, another type of angina/ ischaemia non obstructive coronary arteries, ANOCA/ INOCA.
I have found it takes some time and patience to find the best combination of medication that will work best for you as an individual.
I suggest you ask your Cardiologist to review your medication and perhaps ask for further testing to confirm your diagnosis.
Cardiac rehab is important too. Though you may need a rehab programme tailored to your needs.
I found attending a Pain Management Programme helpful as well as practicing Tai Chi, yoga and mindfulness meditation.
I use this free app Insight Timer,
I found by keeping a log of my symptoms I could identify my triggers.
Mine are the cold, emotional, mental and physical stress.
I use the spoon theory to help manage my activities and exhaustion.
thebraincharity.org.uk/what...
This website was created by four patients with over 60 years combined experience of living with microvascular and vasospastic angina. It has a section about living with ANOCA.
internationalheartspasmsall...
The BHF has this information
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Hi Milkfairy, I have seen my GP about ongoing problems. He has a letter (forwarded to cardiologist) outlining what has been going on over the last 10 years. He also has the details of one of the cardiologists that you gave me. If cardiologist cannot sort this out then he will happily refer me. As mentioned in my post to Oldgimmer66, on Monday, paramedics came and I was taken to hospital, kept in overnight and given morphine. One of the ED doctors came to see me. He clearly knew little about MVA so I "enlightened him" ! He asked how I knew so much about it and where I got my information from. So I gave him the details of websites where he can access information from, including BHF. "Oh right" he said, then he went quiet. Anyway, now waiting for an appointment with my new cardiologist. Pacing on my pacemaker has been increased (my request) I am also waiting for a 72 hour ecg to be done as there may possibly be another arrhythmia adding to all of this. See what happens.
Well done for enlightening the A&E doctor!
Have you ever been offered any tests to confirm your diagnosis of microvascular angina?
I now have an an admission plan so the staff know how to manage my angina. I am given morphine and I have an infusion of IV GTN started.
There is certainly a need for more education about microvascular and vasospastic angina required amongst healthcare professionals.
My Cardiologist uploaded this latest paper about the management of vasospastic angina unto my careplan and electronic patient records.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10...
The lead author plans to write one for microvascular angina. When it's published I'll post it on the forum.
I hope you don't have to wait too long for your appointment.
If you mean the functional angiogram with /without Acetylcholine, then my answer is no. I have mentioned it in the past to cardiologists and even to the ED doctor. I know about the trials and there are hospitals in and around London that do this testing. I think you are probably closer to London than I am. You have a good cardiologist and luckily at one of the bigger hospitals I think. I would, and no doubt others will be interested in the care plan for MVA. I look forward to reading it. I will have a look later at the link you have given for management of vasospastic angina. As a matter of interest if I PM you with the area that I live in would you have any details of a hospital nearer to me that can do this testing?
Hello Oldgimmer66,
I have been living with similar symptoms you describe in recent months. I have undergone various tests including stress testing and a CT scan. No obstructions have been found in my main arteries. My condition is suspected Microvascular Angina/ Vasospasm. I was previously fit before this began.
I experience pain on exertion and at rest. My pain/shortness of breath is triggered by exertion, emotion/stress, wind and cold and is relieved with GTN. I'm affected climbing stairs and unable to walk up hills.
My chest and ribs ache all day on very cold days. I find I have to keep myself warm otherwise I experience an exacerbation in symptoms. I'm unable to walk far without experiencing problems.
I try and do as much as I can on better days but sometimes have delayed pain the following day. I worry what the lack of regular exercise is doing not just to my heart but the rest of my body.
I can totally sympathise with what you are going through. This cold winter weather does not help angina one bit. Lets hope the milder weather of spring approaching will bring us some much needed relief!
Hi, I'm similar to Kind51. I have been told that I have MVA (10 years) my angina has been getting worse. I get tired very easily. I have pain on exertion and at rest. I only came back from hospital yesterday after another trip to ED by ambulance. I had been having severe chest pain. GTN stopped the pain but it kept coming back. I too can suffer badly with the cold weather, I have to put extra layers on. I tend to split tasks up that I need to do such as gardening over a few days. I find it easier that way. I walk more slowly than I used to especially when walking up a hill, in fact if I can avoid it altogether I will.
Can you use a stationary bike with a heart rate monitor. I use one at our sports gym.. you have start slowly and stick to a plan so that you can increase your fitness very gradually. Work at a speed and effort where speaking to others can be achieved. Gradually pick up the speed and effort as your fitness increases. You have to be very disciplined and patient. You can get a bike trainer for home use but going to a small gym is ideal for companionship. Big gyms arent particularly friendly. Drink plenty water every day with a good diet. Hope this helps.
Know how you feel. Have you tried someof the very easy "indoor walking for seniors" (10 mins enough to help) They cheer me up at age 89
best wishes
Tavishock
if you are getting chest pains and getting other symptoms contact your gp at least. You would be better getting an ambulance or gonjng to a&e to get checked out. Do not drive yourself under any circumstances.
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