stitch pains in heart

[Ktez]

I’ve recently been told I have Left Ventricle Non Compaction and I also have the dilated cardiomyopathy gene but no symptoms of that yet. My EF is 52 and consultant not too concerned for now.

The strange thing is, almost within a day or two or learning this new information, I’ve been having small stitch like pains in my heart. This has been for about 3 weeks. I’ve started keeping a diary and they are basically every half hour or so.

I am also peri menopausal and recently stopped taking my HRT patches. Was wondering if it was to do with that instead….Or maybe anxiety has brought them on

What I was hoping to find out is, to those of you who have experienced a heart attack, did you experience anything like these pains for a time before the heart attack? Ie stitch in the heart, not necessarily very painful.

[Deejay62]

Hi Ktez if I was you I would speak to my GP if you can’t get an appointment speak to 111 and ask their advice. Please let us know how you get on.

[Ktez in reply to Deejay62]

Thank you Deejay. I told my GP and she said to try and see where I am on the list to see heart specialist (I’m under investigation for LVNC cardiomyopathy) Unfortunately I haven’t yet been able to make contact with her office 🫠

[Deejay62 in reply to Ktez]

Keep trying. All the best.

[Callie456]

Hi, I didn't have pains specifically in the lead up to my HA, I have had the occasional twinge before and since, which I put down to angina. Everyone's experience of angina is different.I'd discuss your specific pains with GP and look up any withdrawal side effects from stopping the patch & ask about that too.

As you say anxiety could also be a factor.

Hopefully you can figure out what's causing it for you.

[Ktez in reply to Callie456]

Thank you Callie. I will ask GP about withdrawal from HRT. Didn’t consider that at the time. It’s doing my head in!!

[fishonabike]

there is a lot of confusion about what "heart pain" feels like - it is not always the chest clutching sort seen in the media

most doctors say that if it is sharp and does not last it is not heart pain (????? they probably never had it!) - but generally if it is fleeting or hurts like a stab when you breathe, but stops when you hold your breath it's not your heart

it can show up as pain in/down your arm (left most commonly), shoulder, neck, jaw or back - or it can feel like indigestion which does not clear up when you burp (to clear wind) or take indigestion remedies - or it can feel like pressure or tightness in or round your chest, with or without breathing problems

we are told that women show the classic chest clutch pain less frequently than men, and therefore women's heart pain is often classified as atypical (although there are more of us!) and more often misdiagnosed as indigestion, reflux or anxiety

But some cardiologists are finally realising that some women have heart conditions which cause heart pain (angina) without permanent obstruction of the arteries - these are refered to as Ischemia with No Obstructed Coronary Arteries (INOCA) - it is also now being noticed that some types of heart failure (cardiomyopathy) where the Ejection Fraction is normal (Heart failure with preservde Ejection Fraction, HFpEF) can involve some types of INOCA

so carry on with your diary and keep notes about when you get the pain, what you are doing, what helps/makes it worse - it might just be rib inflammation (costochondritis) but it might be something else

[Ktez in reply to fishonabike]

Thanks fishonabike. Very interesting about the INOCA. I’ve never heard of it. So I’m off to do some research 🧐 The pain seems to be more noticeable when I am sitting doing nothing or when I am in bed. Moving doesn’t seem to make it any worse or better. Thanks again for info

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Ischaemia/ angina non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA/ANOCA is an umbrella term for microvascular and vasospastic angina.

I have lived with vasospastic angina for over 11 years. I experience most of my chest pain at rest usually through the night.

Vasospastic angina is caused by the transient constrictions of the coronary arteries, coronary vasospasms.

The pain can last 30mins or more. A coronary vasospasm feels like being in labour to me.

Microvascular angina is thought to be due to the small blood vessels of the heart not working properly, microvascular dysfunction.

The microvessels fail to dilate or stay dilated in response to extra demands like exercise.

The BHF has this information about microvascular and vasospastic angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Ktez in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you Milkfairy. I found one of your other posts and read it with great interest. My pain doesn’t sound like microvascular angina when I look at the symptoms although my pain does seem to happen when I am stationary or in bed at night. Thanks for the info though. I’ll mention to heart specialist

[Ktez]

*Update* for anyone who was following this post and experiencing similar issues.

I saw the specialist yesterday and she wasn’t too concerned about the LVNC (as it is very mild) and said we are more focused on the heart function which at 52% (LV) is almost normal and 55% (RV). She did say that I have dilated cardiomyopathy but only mildly impaired at this stage.

I continue to have sporadic heart/chest pain but I am seriously thinking these may be psychosomatic? The consultant did say that we will do all the investigations necessary but that the mind can play a huge part in bringing on symptoms as it is so complex.

I am a lot clearer about things now and feel much more hopeful. Most of the time, I think it’s the fear of the unknown that is the worst bit!