Angina

[Rya83]

Hi everyone. Over a few years, my nana, uncle and nephew died young of heart failure and my brother is waiting to have 4 stents put in. For about a year I have had chest pains on and off and I informed the gp that heart failure ran in my family on my mums side. They said everything was normal. But in November I was rushed into hospital with severe chest pains. My blood pressure, ECG and heart rate were sky high. I was left for 6 hours after having bloods done. Getting pushed further down the waiting list and was told another 4 hours at least. So I went home(i panicked as that is how my mum died). Went back a week later with a dull ache in the chest and gp said looks like it's a mild heart attack. Went back to hospital and they said it might be angina. So now on a spray and aspirin. Wasn't even given any info leaflets to help. Was referred to cardiology but there is an 11 month waiting list. I'm so scared as I know angina is a symptom of heart disease.

[Sljp0000]

When you go into hospital with a suspected heart condition they take bloods to check your enzymes. This process takes about 4 hours for the results to come back. They then take more bloods later to see how the enzyme levels have changed. This is a normal process. It does take a long time for the results to come through, this isn't the hospital being reckless or tardy, it's how long the testing takes. You should have stayed and got the care you needed. I understand it scared you but it was the safest place to be. Has your GP had the results from the hospital?I had Angina for 10 years before I was believed. I kept being told it was anxiety. My dad had it from in his 30s so I knew the symptons well.

Taking aspirin will thin your blood so if you do have any narrowing in your arteries it will help. Do you get pain on exertion? Always take your GTN if you do.

If you feel you can't wait is there any way you can afford a cardiologist appointment privately? Might be worth spending around £150 to talk to one earlier? I know it shouldn't be like that but it's just how things are now.

Of course, stress is the worst thing for heart health. Try and eat healthy and excercise gently. Easier said than done I know.

Take care.

Susie

[Rya83 in reply to Sljp0000]

Hi Susie. I was told it would take a while. I hadn't eaten in 2 days(fasting.) So was starving aswell which didn't help. I wish I had. I was able to go on their patient app. All bloods were OK apart from one. C-Reactive protein. The Dr a week later told me that I had an enlarged heart and my lungs weren't expanding properly. So have been referred to cardiology and respiratory clinic. I know they were doing their best. I just don't know why I wasn't given any info about it. I worry because I've had to use the angina spray 5 times now since November, and I've been sat down when I've had the pain. I'm trying to stay relaxed but losing my job is not helping. Thank you though hun. You take care too. Rya

[KIMMY60]

You need a scan to see what's going on the only way they can be sure of diagnosis, A CT scan if you can't get it done soon might be worth paying for one I think Aspire do a non referral one

[Rya83 in reply to KIMMY60]

Hi Kimmy.I think I will look into having that done.

Thank you

Rya

[Bassapurple]

hi

I share a similar experience having chest pains now for 3 months

Went to hospital and sent home because I was not having an heart attack referred to a cardiologist given an appointment in one years time May 2025 waiting for scan on my heart with no appointment after 3 weeks- it’s like just waiting for something to happen and don’t know what to do too

[Rya83 in reply to Bassapurple]

I know the feeling hun. Keep your chin up. You need a CT scan too. Only way to find out what's actually happened.Take it easy if you can and take one day at time. That's what I'm doing.

Rya