Not Cardiac ?

[Tel0121]

Hi,

I’ve joined because the BHF helpline, which I highly recommend, was very helpful to my wife and me recently. I’m able to share the following information with confidence thanks to Pam and Sue on the helpline, who filled in the blanks for us.

Three weeks ago, my wife was rushed to the hospital with severe chest pains. She was discharged the next day with no apparent heart issues. However, to be sure, she will have a CT scan of her arteries within the next 2 to 5 months. In the meantime, she is taking aspirin and bisoprolol as a precaution.

This uncertainty has complicated our holiday insurance arrangements, as her condition remains undiagnosed until the scan and subsequent appointment. Fortunately, after contacting BIBA (British Insurance Brokers Association), we found a company willing to insure her, although the undiagnosed condition is excluded.

We are also considering the possibility that her condition might not be cardiac-related but rather stress-related inflammation. After experiencing a few bad days, she took ibuprofen and had a very good day, the best ever. Following a setback over a couple of days and another visit to the GP, she took more ibuprofen and has since had 3 to 4 good days (fingers crossed). As I understand it, ibuprofen is known to work well on inflammation.

If anyone else has any experience of similar situations we would be keen to hear from them.

Tel

[Anginalady]

Hi, I was in a similar situation in that we had a holiday booked for September and in June I went to A&E with chest pains. After a few tests I was awaiting further tests and was diagnosed with 'suspected' Microvascular disease.

We contacted our insurance company who said they couldn't cover me for this illness. Other insurers wouldn't even quote me as I was still under investigation. I didn't want to take the risk of travelling uninsured, so we cancelled the holiday. It as lucky we did as the machine for my test broke down and I've only just had a new date set, which would have been the day we flew out. So we're glad we cancelled.

You didn't say when you were travelling, but you can't guarantee when you're tests will be booked, we would have been caught out.

I think you're in an awkward situation because you suspect that it may be stress-related inflammation rather than cardiac, but you're not sure.

Also, I'm not 100% certain but please read the Bisoprolol paper work as I'm sure you shouldn't take Ibuprofen with Bisoprolol, or it may be that it reduces its effectiveness, but please check it. Although if you've spoken to the BHF helpline I'm sure they would have told you if it wasn't safe to take.

I suppose the question is, are you prepared to risk the trip if it is cardiac related and you'll be travelling with no cover?

[Stentsandrun]

"Fortunately, after contacting BIBA (British Insurance Brokers Association), we found a company willing to insure her, although the undiagnosed condition is excluded."

So basically then, she will not be insured if any cardiac-related situation arises while you are presumably on holiday?

As has been pointed out if your wife is taking aspirin as a precaution she should not be taking Ibuprofen.

Are you actually considering travelling abroad before the CT scan has been done?

[Tel0121 in reply to Stentsandrun]

Thank you both for your comments which provide more useful insight.

The plan is not to go on holiday without cover. It had to be renewed this week so doing it this way keeps the wagon on the road until we get a clearer picture, diagnosis. It is based also on hope that we do get it resolved somehow before next May which is when her holiday is going to be postponed to.

Interesting re ibuprofen. It was the GP who suggested taking it when needed which she had done. There's only been two doses taken within the past week. Each followed by good days, the last one being several days ago.

Thanks again 🥰

[Survivor1952]

Whilst it is difficult to comment with unknowns and also we are not medically trained I was told that under no circumstances was I to take any NSAID (e.g. Ibuprofen, Nurofen etc) in future following my cardiac ‘adventure’.

At the time I was on Bisoprolol and aspirin.

[Tel0121 in reply to Survivor1952]

Thank you. I feel a call to the helpline coming on.

[fishonabike in reply to Tel0121]

a pharmacist can also help with medication related advice

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Ibuprofen is an NSAID within a group of medication which includes aspirin, all of which are known to carry the risk of gastro-intestinal upsets and worse bleeds. Which is why some people have to take coated low dose aspirin rather than the dispersible type, which includes me. Twenty odd years ago a short course of Ibuprofen caused me to have a serious gastro-intestinal bleed and I was on the cusp of requiring a blood transfusion. My advice to anyone who is taking ibuprofen especially longterm is to seek an alternative. Although it is widely prescribed and bought over the counter my personal view is it's terrible stuff and should be avoided at all costs.

[annpavitt250448]

As the others said I was too of not to take ibuprofen when taking bisoprosol and aspirin because of the risk of bleeding I was in a similar situation to your wife a couple of years ago, chest pain was dismissed as non cardiac firstly. But after a second visit to A& E within a few weeks was sent for a c.t. Angiography and diagnosed with angina and fired up arteries. Was your wife given a g.n.t spray to take if she gets more chest pain.