possible coronary artery spasm

[Chegwin]

Can anyone help,

Firstly sorry about the long message but I’m now very concerned for my health and hopefully I can find someone that has some knowledge on the following.

I’m currently suffering from occasional swollen ankles, lower legs, aching thighs and a spasm in the centre of my chest and looking at my symptoms it could be coronary artery spasm

I have been to my Gp & A&E multiple times and they can’t help.

I’ve had a ECG at A&E which showed my heart was straining, however a heart scan was inconclusive.

I did have a minor TIA in 2017 and was put a various medications, atorvastatin, amplodopine Clopidgel and i think bisoprolol, these have been changed over the years and I currently take

Angitil SR 90

Aspirin 75mg

Lansoprazole 30mg

Ramipril 5mg

In November 2022 I had a massive emotionally stressful situation which is when the spasms in the centre of my chest started.

My symptoms now are:

Short sharp but not painful pressure in the centre of my chest ( not over my heart) causes me to slightly exhale like it’s forcing air out. Can happen anytime but mainly when laid down before going to bed/sleep.

Aching thighs but mainly happens after exercise ( not strenuous exercise )

Occasional swollen ankles and calves on both legs

High Blood pressure, occasional headaches when blood pressure is very high.

Does anyone have coronary artery spasm and suffer from thigh aches almost like a lactic acid build feeling.does this sound symptoms any of you have?

I could be wrong but every symptom I have is pointing to this and I fairly sure the doctors think I’m being a hypochondriac.

My blood pressure is currently sitting at 153/93 and has been this high for a while.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[Happyrosie]

We are non-medics here and we can’t diagnose what you might be suffering from, and I do t know what “heart strain” might be exactly, but if you are not getting anywhere with doctors I can suggest a couple of things to look at.

Headaches would be a common side-effect of high blood pressure. Swollen ankles could be a symptom of many things so make sure, when you are sitting relaxing, that your legs are elevated such as on a stool, and that your things are not pressing into your chair.

your diet - plenty of vegetables, cook from scratch and not ready meals, no smoking, plenty of water, care with alcohol intake.

exercise - not going to the gym necessarily but walking is good for everyone if you can manage it, preferably in the countryside or parks.

The website of Blood Pressure UK might give you some insights about your blood pressure. Also, if you look at the website of British Heart Foundation you can see. Way to speaking to their helpline.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear you are having a challenging time.

I have lived with vasospastic angina for over a decade.

The coronary arteries vasospasms that cause vasospastic angina are notoriously painful and usually last longer, sometimes upto 30 minutes

My episodes of chest pain feel like being in labour to me.

I also experience a headache, with sensitivity to sound and light.

I feel as though the air is being squeezed out of my lungs.

I personally don't have any issues with swollen ankles or legs despite being on very high doses of Diltiazem.

Everyone is different though.

I suggest you keep a diary of your symptoms and see if you can spot any triggers of your symptoms.

The latest guidelines recommend 24 or longer ECG monitoring to see if any ECG changes occur during chestpain episodes.

It might be worth asking your GP if you can have this testing done.

The BHF has this information about vasospastic angina.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I have to manage my stress as emotional, mental and physical stress along with the cold are the main triggers of my vasospastic angina.

If my blood pressure or heartrate rises or is too low then again I'll get chestpain.

I find pacing my activities and practicing Tai Chi and yoga help me to keep my symptoms balanced.

[Jedi14]

I can only speak about my own experiences. I'm on similar meds as you, here's what I found:

1) The best was Bisoprolol, which was atually prescribed last. I found this to lower my BP and I never had to use my GTN spray.

2) I was also able to stop one of the BP medications - it was no longer required (with guidance from pharmacist/GP).

My BP was the same as yours for several years and I never believed it could actually come down. But now it's 120s/80 or even lower. This result is after dietry changes as well as ongoing, weight reduction.

[Chegwin]

Thanks for the replies

I have the NHS app and sent my surgery a message suggesting I have a 7 day ECG.

It’s frustrating as I’m trying to keep healthy, which I do have a healthy diet but exercise is writing off my legs for maybe a week.

I’ve taken up swimming but still suffer from thigh aches, occasionally feeling like there is no strength in them, i’m 44 and feel like a 84 year old.

[Nightmare2]

Hi, i dont know what heart strain means, I have AF. but kekep to the minimal tabets i can. Apixaban blood thinner, and half Bisoprol tablet a day and every other day a statin, which i dont like taking as my heart scans show no clogging, these two are for heart. I am off BP tablets now as BP ws going too low. but now off my ankles dont swell as they did, Amlopopine i was on, this is the main side effect.

From all your different part of body problems, i think you need to deal with one thing at a time really, the EKG would have shown up Angina, so you dont have that or would have been told. I get occasional little pains towards centre midle chest under slight to the left, but i dont take them as anything, i have realised sometimes you hava to take the words of the cardios they have you on quite a number of tablets, so whta has been your diagnosis to warrant these.

A suspected TIA usually results in maybe either aspirin, or blood thinners and maybe statin given.

[nextadventure]

You really need to see a good cardiologist. You might also ask if someone can check you for pulmonary hypertension - usually done with good quality echocardiogram as well as possibly cardiac CT, MRI and/or right heart catheterisation. At the very least, a good cardiologist needs to be able to tell you at what stage there is 'nothing further we can do'. Don't leave it like this.

[Ladycate]

hello I had a similar experience, only ecg echo and blood tests showed nothing wrong, until I had an angiogram which revealed I had quite significant blocked arteries. I had 4 stents but now I’m on meds which make me feel rubbish and food is no longer enjoyable.

[Chegwin]

I’ve booked to see a private Consultant Cardiologist. Hopefully they can hep.