Not long discharged from hospital with angina- not the type brought on by exertion.
I’m feeling anxious and afraid.
I was told to get on with life, but am fearful. Any suggestions please about how to move forward.
The only medication prescribed is the under tongue spray.
Hello
Welcome to the forum.
I have lived with a rarer type of angina for many years.
I experience most of my chest pain at rest especially during the night, which is a classic symptom of vasospastic angina.
Vasospastic and microvascular angina are types of angina non obstructive coronary arteries ANOCA.
The BHF has this information about microvascular and vasospastic angina.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Some people with microvascular angina can experience chest pain at rest, however they usually have chest pain on exertion.
It's disappointing to hear that you have been discharged with so little information or support.
Unfortunately microvascular and vasospastic angina are not well understood by many Cardiologists and this can lead to this lack of appropriate care.
Microvascular and vasospastic angina are long term conditions which require monitoring.
I suggest you discuss your situation with your GP. There are other medications that can be offered to help manage your symptoms.
The best starting point is having an accurate diagnosis. Have you had any tests to confirm what type of angina you are affected by?
Perhaps give the BHF helpline a call and speak to one of the cardiac nurses too.
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Hello and thank you. Not been given the type of angina, just know that it’s not exertion related, and it came on in the night
Recently, lots of stresses all lined up to make a perfect storm, and it was suggested that this was the cause, and no damage to the heart
I’ve spoken to the gp, and rang the hospital this morning, to speak to the discharging doctor. I am waiting for them to call me back,
I’m fairly sharp mentally, but was on my own, so not sure if I’ve missed some information.
Reassuring to know you’ve lived with it for many years.
It’s so frightening- which doesn’t help anyone or anything.
Trying to keep positive and get on with life, which is what I was advised to do.
Thank you so much for your help.
I suggest you ask for further testing and are reviewed by a Cardiologist experienced in caring for patients living with microvascular and vasospastic angina.
I have lived with vasospastic angina over the years because I have the appropriate management.
I had a specialised angiogram to confirm my diagnosis.
I am prescribed medication to help prevent my coronary vasospasms, as well helping to reduce the risks of coronary vasospasms, which are a heart attack, stroke or heart failure.
I see my Cardiologist 2 to 3 times a year.
You may need to be persistent to get the care you need.
Thank you will take that to my GP.
your not on your own,I have refractory angina.
I think you may have what is called unstable angina,
Don't worry as there are lots of people with this condition,and some like me
are far worse.
Worrying is what I did just like you,but life is for living,so start living and stop thinking about your angina.
Chest pain is hard to deal with,but I and lots of others get on with life,
If you sweat and get pains in your shoulder or back and chest tightness,go to A&E.
That's what I do,better safe than sorry,
So PLEASE be you...... your not alone!!!
Thank you so much for your response. I’m usually positive about life and have a zest for living. It’s the not knowing- I’m better during the day, when I’m distracted. It’s the waking moments when the worry kicks in and the thoughts spiral.
I think a lot us here online today,are in the same position as you.
It's the not knowing,I like you am positive about life,but some days yea,I get what you say, you feel as though life sucks.
But I like you are are stronger than we think.
I don't plan to far in the future as much now,which I should have done years ago.
I live for the day now,and WOW for me, life is so much better.....
Hello,
As Milkfairy and englishbrian commented, you are not alone! There are many of us living with and putting up with shall we say "side issue heart problems". I have Micovascular Angina which nags away at me and comes along at any time. It is tiring and rather disconcerting but it is great to know that you are not alone. I would agree with the others, and if the pain persists talk with your GP or go to A&E. Reading about it and joining in with support groups such as this is a great way of sharing the load. Good luck and try not to worry to much.
Thank you for your response. It’s greatly appreciated.
Hi
it very much sounds as if you have " unstable Angina " which is what I also have, and have had for several years, like you I did panic at first but have found it is very livable with, when I get an attack I sit quietly and take my GTN spray which usually helps with just this first dose, so attack over , occasionally it is not quite enough so after five mins, take a second dose of spray and wait again, usually pain has now gone but if not, phone 999 at this point , no thinking about it just do it, the paramedics are very nice and certainly look after you , ( this stage has only happened twice in the last 3=5 years ) please do not worry and continue doing everything you are used to doing and enjoy. , just a hint, I carry a GTN spray in my handbag when I go out , it is reassuring to know I have it there ready to use at any time , all very best wishes x
Thank you so much. This is so reassuring. Do you go for regular checks with cardiologist?
And yes you’re right, I have the spray with me at all times. It’s a reassurance. I’ve no pain, but I think the stress of it all, is causing me more side symptoms.
Thank you so much for helping me.
This forum helped me come to terms with my angina and stay positive. It's a huge thing to suddenly discover a heart problem and completely normal to be in a kind of shock, with all sorts of fears and anxiety bubbling away under the surface. I was angry too (hence my nickname)- with fate and with myself for (as I saw it) not taking care of my body properly- but anger and anxiety are hugely negative to health, especially heart conditions, so hearing other experiences and reading reassuring advice on here will hopefully help settle some of your underlying worry. Obviously life throws it's own curveballs , but sounds like you have the right attitude (and eat the right foods!) so in time I'm sure you'll lose some of the fear. Just carry on being positive, find out all you can, and do everything possible to reduce anxiety (practice deep breathing, watch stupid comedy TV, cuddle the cat, whatever does it for you!)
It's amazing how heart conditions can be managed and especially how angina needn't preclude a long active life.
Some great advice, thank you. I’ve no anger, but am blaming myself for not eating as well as I might have done. Lots of things in your post to think about , and to help me move forward. 👍
Thank you so much for your thoughts and support. One step at a time I guess. If I can just get over the stress, and stop it from filling my head 24/7, I think it will help.
Wondering how long it will take the hospital to call me back to answer my questions, I called them first thing yesterday morning ….
Hi Porridge!As a person who has been seen as calm and logical in adversity when all the factors are in control most of my life working in stressful environments, the anxiety unleashed by heart conditions coming out of the blue has in itself been alarming!! Who would have thought?
So anxiety is certainly a bit of a new normal and is especially recognised with affairs of the heart! Although recognised by health professionals, formal support is hit and miss, so HealthUnlocked is possibly a good place to be. My GP was good too. I've found it helpful.
So two events for me over two years still has me as anxious now , maybe moreso than at the beginning.
BUT I have found ways to help by looking to the things I like to do and doing more of them, doing them better, and focusing on how they help. Some thing's I've stopped doing too, yes with some loss, but I tap into a bit of philosophy to rationalise and cope.
Being outdoors is great for the soul. Instead of wondering about things, I look and try and learn. Weather, clouds, birds, butterflies, flowers....
Exercise is great for the heart, take guidance but any exercise, even static exercise is good. I started running at 70. I now do Parkrun regularly and following my last event, I Parkwalked and volunteered until it was safe to start jogging again. Whereas I did look at times and improvement I'm content to get roundniw! I get absolutely masses of encouragement from this community. I had never run since school but found I loved it and even as a slow person I found techniques and tricks to improve.
I've started backpacking this summer as I lost my driving licence, hopefully back soon. Again not done since I was 16. What a buzz, and looking at Duke of Edinburgh for kit guidance! You can hopefully see how this has distracted, and re-directed focus.
Naff I know but it is about can do not can't do. So just great planning a walk with an overnight stop. Then two nights......
Oh, yes seeking help to understand my condition, fill in the gaps the Drs don't have time to explain. Using HealthUnlocked works best for me when I can focus on what I need to know and or understand. The best help comes if you can be specific. But it also works for many if you just want to download and yes even feel sorry for yourself.
Hopefully you'll find the support you need.
#chinkoflight
Thank you so much for your response, so heartening… and I share much of your outlook. I had a difficult episode with my young grandchildren today. In the supermarket, I began to get light headed, then I think I got stressed wondering what was happening. I’ve had a very active part in their childcare and the thoughts that I might have to stop, deeply upset me… I started to cry
I’m now thinking that’s not the case, and I’m just at the beginning of the new part of my life journey. No such thing as I can’t, so I’ll crack on and try to stop panicking.
Thank you for your kindness and encouragement.
Hi porridge lover, I understand fully your bemusement regarding your recent heart incident. Like you I suffered an heart attack without warning which left me stunned. This meant I never asked any questions. I found the support and understanding on this site calmed and reassured me.
Lately, I have been experiencing an increase in angina episodes plus orthostatic hypotension which my GPS has prescribed Bispropol and referral to cardiology. I find using this site has again calmed me as I see others whose experience is so much more difficult than mine. Regards and take care
Thank you so much for your response…. I didn’t have heart attack, it’s angina that came on 05:30 in the morning. Inadvertently, one of the A and E staff explained the angina that comes on without exertion- like the episode I had, was the worst type to have. At that point it wasn’t clear what type I had. But this comment has worried me enormously.
And yes, on discharge, on my own, I was so glad to hear the words, no heart damage, that it didn’t occur to me to ask any of the questions that have filled my head for over a week now
Still waiting for the hospital to call me back to ask the questions that I have
I need to give my head a shake and move on… so to speak. 😉.
Best wishes to you.
So have you had any stents ect?
No stents, I was monitored in hospital over couple days, and told to go home and get on with life. No medication apart from the spray.
No further appointments….
Did you have any tests?CT angiogram, stress echo?
Unfortunately those of us with microvascular or vasospastic angina often need to be persistent, to access the care we need to live, as well as possible with our less well understood angina.
Thank you, food for thought. I’ll discuss with gp I think. Not sure what they did, apart from monitor over 48hours or so, wired to various points on my body.
Microvascular Angina 
ANGINA 
Angina
Angina?
