does gtn stop non cardic chest pain?

[Spedyrecovry50]

hi everyone.It has been suggested that the chest pain i have is not to do with blocked arteries or my heart. that its because of stress and ptsd.

the only thing is, when I get chest pain I use my gtn with in 2 minutes the pain is gone. if it was non cardic pain would the gtn stop the pain?

I have costochondritis. the pain is only when I touch my ribs and chest. but the gtn doesn't stop that. also the pain goes through to my back and down my arm.

if the pain was just stress and anxiety surely the gtn wouldn't work?

any ideas would be great.

thanks.

[Tos92]

Hi Spedyrecovery,

I can see you have previously posted similar questions. Have you managed to discuss vasospastic angina or microvascular angina with your doctor or cardiologist?

I have lived with vasospastic angina since 2022 after it triggered a heart attack. Stress is a big factor in triggering my spasms.

Responding to GTN maybe indicative of a cardiac related issue. You won’t know for sure however until your chest pain is further investigated. It sounds like the typical, conventional testing for your heart has been carried out which has ruled out blocked arteries. It might be worthwhile seeing an INOCA specialist to have other testing done. Usually, the way vasospastic angina is currently diagnosed is via a functional angiogram using acetylcholine. It’s not widely available as such in the U.K. but can be accessible via an INOCA specialist or a cardiologist knowledgeable in these conditions.

Keep a diary of your symptoms and any noticeable triggers. Also note how often you take your GTN spray as well.

There is a website below which has some good resources on these conditions, including specialists that deal with these. It might be worthwhile to have a look. Alternatively, you could print off the information from these websites and present them to your GP or cardiologist if you currently have one and get their thoughts on this.

inocainternational.com

There is also a lovely, supportive Facebook group dedicated to these conditions if you wish to join. Sometimes knowing that you’re not alone in experiencing these symptoms gives us hope and can make coping with these conditions a little better.

facebook.com/groups/2879606...

Just to add, the GTN spray can be used to treat oesophageal spasms too which is non-cardiac in nature but can present as symptoms which mimic that of a heart attack. I am suspected to have this as well.

All the best.

Tos

[Spedyrecovry50 in reply to Tos92]

thanks for the information. I will try and mention it next time.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Spedyrecovry50]

There is some information on the BHF website which also gives a link to other support groups.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

In my experience of living with vasospastic angina for over a decade, Healthcare professionals tend to take notice of the BHF information.

I had my vasospastic angina confirmed by an angiogram with acetylcholine.

I also have dynamic ECG changes such as ST elevations and ST depressions during my episodes of chest pain which is another way some Cardiologists suspect a person may have coronary vasospasms.

[Spedyrecovry50 in reply to Milkfairy]

wow. thanks for the information Milkfairy.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

A person's response to GTN spray doesn't necessarily mean the pain is cardiac in origin.

GTN helps relieve the pain caused by oesophageal spasms too.

Coronary vasospasms which cause ischaemic cardiac pain without blocked coronary arteries are usually relieved by GTN spray.

Your Cardiology team perhaps need to rule out angina non obstructive coronary arteries, ANOCA

Just because your coronary arteries are unblocked doesn't mean you cannot have angina.

[scentedgardener]

I was suspected of having angina, but GTN has no effect on me.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to scentedgardener]

Some people who have microvascular angina don't necessarily respond to GTN spray or nitrates.

[Callie456]

I have used GTN spray a few times, for me it only works on cardiac related angina, I have used it once and it didn't work, so I assumed that time it wasn't angina.

[jerry12953]

Stable angina sufferer here....probably microvascular but not confirmed conclusively.....GTN doesn't work for me. Luckily the pain recedes quite quickly if i stop or even slow down my exercise.

[T666]

hi. I also have costacondritiis. Also had triple hear bypass following heart attack last year. The Costa was to easy to dismiss what was actually happening hence heart attack

I recently have been given a gtn spray ( it’s amazing ). But I too have been told I do not have angina etc

I would say stress manifests in other ways ie you can’t have stress amputated. That said it is the catalyst for other physical responses hence the gtn may well help. I’m no medic but experience has taught me they can make knee jerk diagnosis. It sounds like you’ve had various tests done already. Personally I would say try the gtn, mine has literally been life improving ( and I only used on rare occasions) I think of it like WD40 it doesn’t fix anything but it sure helps get things moving 😁

I wish you well

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to T666]

You may find this patient story interesting. bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[T666 in reply to Milkfairy]

Excellent article. Many thanks

[Spedyrecovry50]

thanks everyone. this has really helped. I am glad I am having the stress echocardiogram. that might help.

[Breesha]

Goodness I thought you meant gin and tonic …that might help stree !!

[Silvertail]

I know GTN stops the pain from reflux/GORD. Also, when I've gone into Emergency, with chest pains, they usually give a dose of Gaviscon to check if it is reflux or angina.

[Bellissim0]

I’ve heard it all too often said to me,”Itl be your anxiety causing the pain” when I know full well it isn’t.

You need to speak to your cardiologist, until then keep a log and mental record of your day to day symptoms.

If possible go for walks daily 👍