Has anyone with microvascular / spasmodic angina also got Raynauds and/or Achenbachs and how do they manage in the cold weather?

[Wonky_heart]

Since being diagnosed with microvascular and spasmodic angina I've been given an 18 month follow up but no advice. I also have Raynauds and Achenbachs which are not friends of cold weather. Currently I've been taking my GTN before I exercise or go out in the cold (I'm also on isosorbide mononitrate and nicorandil), but is there anything else anyone finds helps?

[Happyrosie]

my husband was diagnosed with angina, though not micro vascular, and has since been diagnosed with Reynaud.

He follows the advice given by the NHS (see NHS Choices or their app). Carries an electric thing , can’t recall what it’s called, to keep hands warm and has just got an electric jacket.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

I have 3 vasomotor disorders Vasospastic angina, Raynaud's Phenomenon and migraines.

The cold is my enemy 🥶 😒

The cold is the main trigger of my coronary vasospasms.

Most of my admissions to hospital with unstable vasospastic angina have been in the colder months of the year.

I have really struggled this week with more angina and feeling very tired.

I am starting to get chestpain on exertion and my heartrate increases more than usual.

I am therefore slightly OTT about keeping warm!

I wear multiple thermal layers. I buy Uniqlo heattech long sleeved tops, leggings and socks.

I wear down jackets under my coat, 2 pairs of socks and 2 pairs of gloves.

My husband laughed when I told him how many layers I had on today in the house.

6 on top, 3 on my legs, 2 pairs of socks and a scarf.

I have special silver thread lining gloves which I bought from the Raynaud's Association.

I cover my nose and mouth with a snood when I go out. Breathing in cold air will trigger my angina.

I wear a hat.

When I go out to walk my dog, the only bit of me you can see, are my eyes!

I use hot water bottles and thank goodness for electric blankets.

I also with agreement from my Cardiologist increase my isosorbide mononitrate, nitrate patches and calcium channel blockers.

The other weird thing about vasospastic angina, is I have a delayed response to the cold. I often find I am more symptomatic about 5 days after a really cold spell of weather.

Stay warm

[Wonky_heart in reply to Milkfairy]

Oh it's so nice to know that someone else wears as many layers as me!

It's interesting what you say about delayed response, I hadn't thought about that and will certainly monitor for it. Unfortunately I can't increase my calcium channel blockers as that gives me long pauses. I think it's going to be a long winter ahead.

[Roseleigh in reply to Milkfairy]

I have been diagnosed with micro vascular angina and have migraines, just started getting really bad pains in my fingers this week in this cold. I think I’ll be following all your advice here.

[serenfach]

I dont have angina, but have bad raynauds in both my hands and feet. I buy ski wear and have been known to hoover in salopettes. I dont ski and I dont often hoover! Three pairs of socks and a size bigger wellies, with furry insoles helps, but oddly enough I find gloves with fingers make matters worse, so wear those old fashioned all fingers in one bit, but without the string round my neck. I also have a couple of charcoal handwarmers that last ages and are much warmer than the gel ones, and keep one in each pocket.

I have also found that putting your hands in tepid water when you lose the circulation is better than hot, as the "burn" when the circulation comes back is not so intense. Hope this helps.