Just a quick one if I may. I have had Angina for a couple of years now but noticed today that after I had to chase after a delivery driver (well walk faster than I normally would) in the cold weather that I have got chest discomfort and pain. Nothing worth pressing the Big Red button for but uncomfortable enough for me to think (I probably shouldn't have done that). I'm quite surprised that a bit of cold and a burst of activity has caused this problem. Is the something that others find during the cold weather?
Thanks
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GoldfishPond
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hi. Yea absolutely, in fact it was that sudden mix of cold weather and additional exertion, I was on a winter weekend trip to Bergamo, that prompted me to get checked out. Fast forward almost exactly 12 months and I and 13 weeks post double cabg after 95% blocked LAD.
So in my case it was a blessing in disguise to discover my problem. I hope you are feeling ok.
Heart patients need Goldilocks weather but rarely get it, so have to take sensible precautions.
Too much wind, rain, heat or cold all have a major effect especially if we add exercise to that mix or going from say a warm house straight into the cold outside world without any time for adjustment.
A scarf or snood will be your cold weather friend as will layers of clothing. Also build up to say a rapid walk gradually, after first walking a little more slowly.
Yes, my first experience was in the Alps after a fast ascent in a ski lift . A mix of very cold weather and high altitude. I had another experience in Spain in hot weather on a coastal walk. Tight chest, unable to breathe. Since diagnosed as angina, I now avoid exposure to extreme temperature or altitude and take it more gently.
I have been suffering from this problem too, cold weather and hot weather too much of this, chest pressure and feeling lightheaded for me...Its not fair on all of us who experience this...My concerns for me is mentally, is this all worth it. Iam really struggling at the moment without any help
Jayjay Im exactly the same with cold AND hot weather bottom line is you just have to be careful and be aware of it . Don’t go out in very cold weather or very hot weather
I too am very anxious but I get medication for my anxiousness which really helps to keep me calm. You should tell your doctor about how anxious you get and your not coping. My prescription for my medication reads Take half a tablet when required its been my saviour. Good Luck with your doctor be persistent that your not coping and need help.
I was diagnosed with angina 6 years ago but always queried it because I had NEVER had any chest p ain, not even after a heart attack. But last week I was standing at the door just talking to the gardener when I developed really really sharp chest pain and had to come in. I wasn't outside , just in an open doorway but it was bitterly cold. In the past I've always wrapped a scarf round my face if I had to go out but this was a real surprise. It only lasted 10 minutes so I didn't use my spray but it wasn't nice.
You need to be really careful with colder weather conditions and much warmer weather. There should be more information about this with the NHS..My cardiology consultant didn't warn me about this problem.
I agree - I have to be more careful in the cold weather. From my own experience living with angina for this last year - during cold weather I not only have increased chest pain but reduced strength and stamina. I try to limit amount of time I spend outdoors in the cold because it makes me feel so ill. It would be nice to see more written about the effects cold on the heart.
I had to go to the GP last week for a chest infection, the cough I have comes out of the blue no warning to get a tissue out to cough, so I thought I’d wear a mask, not happy but I did, It was a freezing cold day, what a difference the mask made, no tight chest AF as normal, not struggling to breath. GP was pleased and said on freezing cold days folks should cover their mouth and nose as it’s less stress on heart and lungs, I went straight from GPs to camping shop and bought neck gaters, what a difference, I can still go for short walks well wrapped up mouth and nose covered no gasping, no tight chest AF as normal without the massive rise due to the cold air.
I find this most times, especially the suddenly rushing bit, kicks off the angina! The cold dos'nt help either, just making matters worse. We just have to remember not to go rushing around! By default we are no longer fully fit. I am working on the assumption that this can get better by doing routine exercises etc, at the moment thats "the bridge too far". But within my own drawn out bounderies and staying within them, I'm ok.
Thanks for your insight. It's a difficult one to get my head around. Most of the time I'm OK with it, but I don't want to spend all my time thinking that I mustn't do this or that, but the down side of not doing that is the chest pain. Catch 22!
Hello GoldfishPond, I get this. Breathing in cold air while walking can stop me my tracks. If try to increase my pace the chest pain comes on strong. I walked around a warm shopping centre with ease last week - just taking my time but the moment I left the warmth of the shopping centre and stepped out into the bitter cold it hit me straight away. The tightness and discomfort came on within minutes and I couldn't walk far.
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