Unstable Angina

[LezMets]

Hi all

Ok, I had a heart attack 3 years ago and had just one stent inserted, my problem comes from work.

I always get a heavy feeling in my chest from about an hour in, my job is a physical one and im on my feet all day. But from pretty much lunchtime to the end of the day im for nothing and exhausted and heavy chested. I like my job and don't want to give it up for that reason, and also I can't afford to.

I have been to my GP about it, and it seems to be put down to unstable angina. So is this just the way life is now or has anyone had any similar experiences?

Thanks

Les

[Purple-Pete]

Hi,

Unstable angina is defined as getting the pain while at rest or asleep, given your job is physical and it always starts at about the same amount of time after you start work, I would say this would be stable angina if anything and if so is easier to control with medication i.e. ISMN and/or GTN etc..

If I were you I would try and get an appointment with a cardiologist who will be able to diagnose and treat your symptoms more effectively than the GP.

[fishonabike]

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. Unstable Angina is a vague label which should prompt further investigations - you need to push your GP for a referral to a Cardiologist for proper investigation and assessment, this should lead to more effective treatment than you seem to be getting

you may need to stress that this is affecting your ability to work

the heavy feeling is because your heart is probably not getting enough fuel and oxygen due to obstructed arteries - your GP should advise lifestyle measures which should help in the longer term, but you also need to know more about the type of blood flow restriction you have so that the best treatment can be prescribed

[Lowerfield_no_more]

You haven't explained whether you have been prescribed medication to deal with your angina, e.g a GTN spray , and whether you use it and if it seems effective in dealing with your symptoms, and further whether you are under the care of a cardiologist or discharged back to the GP. But other than that, in my view without any formal medical training, I thought unstable angina was a condition that comes on unpredictably, whereas stable angina can be brought about by exercise and that fits your symptoms better from what you have told us. And these two conditions are subtly different, and the treatments are subtly different too. Otherwise perhaps a chat with the BHF Heart Helpline nurse will be useful as below.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...