Unstable angina

[Grannymary]

I was woken up by chest pain on the Sunday before Christmas. Ended up being taken by ambulance to hospital, firstly on an assessment unit overnight then transferred to the cardio ward. Had ECG, bloods and a heart scan.

After a 2nd night on a heart monitor I was sent home teatime on Christmas eve. I'm told I have unstable angina.

Came home with lots of new meds and a GTN spray.

I'm told I may need an angiogram done but this may not be for 4 months.

I was told to rest, not get stressed and to use the GTN spray as required.

For a month or so before this I was having what I thought were more asthma attacks and a lot of indigestion.

The cardio doctor tells me these were angina attacks.

Feeling quite unsettled and scared, not helped by 2 people on the ward telling me about their heart failure and how they are reaching the end of any options available to them.

While I appreciate my problems are minor compared to some. I am finding It difficult to come to terms with matters. And at a loss to know what to do for the best. I feel constantly tired, breathless and keep getting indigestion type discomfort , is this normal.

I suppose what I am seeking is reassurance that there is hope for a normal life in the future.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

You do sound as if you are unclear in the plan for your ongoing care. I suggest you look at your discharge notes from the hospital. For example I would certainly want to clarify whether it was intended that I was to receive an angiogram or not, it can't be maybe, for if it is who is deciding that and when? However if it is clear you are to have an angiogram talk to the appointments team at the hospital, and find out where you are in the queue, are you classed as urgent or routine, and if you are able offer yourself to be put on the short notice cancellation list if they run one. And are you booked in for any follow ups with the hospital cardio team? But if your symptoms suddenly deteriorate for the worst do not hesitate to seek medical attention, even 999. Otherwise if you want any help on where you are try the BHF Heart Helpline nurse as below

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[AuntyEdna]

Hi I had the same symptoms many years ago, mine is Microvascular Angina confirmed by a stress test. I had an “urgent” angiogram to check for blockages this took several months! ( Urgent I think means you’re in the system but on the list means how long is a piece of string ! ) So try not to get stressed worry over things and above all keep warm and rest. Easier said than done. If you find you have MVA beta blockers will make it worse, I have calcium blockers which are ok for me.

I wish you lots of luck on your journey and hope you get answers soon ☺️

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to AuntyEdna]

Hello,

I just wondered if your Cardiologist has offered you any further tests to determine if you have microvascular or vasospastic angina?

I can't take beta blockers because I have coronary vasospasms, vasospastic angina. I actually ended up in hospital when I was presumed to have microvascular angina and given beta blockers.

I discovered later that beta blockers are contraindicated in the NICE guidelines if you have vasospastic angina.

[AuntyEdna in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfairy I’ve often wondered the same thing. My Drs sent me to another cardiologist who now thinks it’s not angina at all because it happens “at rest “. I think I may have to go private to someone who specialises in both conditions. I’m in the east midlands so could be a challenge finding someone. Thank you for your help I must sort this out for definite.

Take care of yourself ☺️

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to AuntyEdna]

A classic symptom of vasospastic angina is chest pain at rest especially during the night.I'll send you a message with a suggestion of who to see.

There is a patient survey about microvascular and vasospastic angina, taking place by Adelaide University and an international patient group which you might like to complete.

surveys.adelaide.edu.au/red...

[AuntyEdna in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you so much 😊

[sandandkev]

I had af a year ago,that settled with medication,had ache in chest whilst sitting,friend took me to a&e,kept on monitor overnight,told unstable angina- given gtn spray which helped,luckily I was already referred to consultant so af had been caused by hole in heart didn't know about, he also put me on a tablet to stabilise angina which has given me a fairly normal life

[Carriefarm]

Hi Grannymary, when I was diagnosed with unstable angina I was given the some meds and GTN spray and was put on the waiting list for an angio. My GP told me that if I had pain and my spray didn’t relieve it after 3 tries I was to call for an ambulance. I took it very easy and didn’t/couldn’t do too much at all. Just over a week after that diagnosis I had to call for an ambulance. The bottom line was that my LAD was greater than 95% blocked but, thankfully, my heart wasn’t damaged and I went on to make a great recovery. Having unstable angina is scary but if you take it easy and try not to stress, take your meds and follow guidelines for using GTN spray, hopefully you’ll be fine until you get your angiogram. Best wishes.

[Goonerboy6661]

There is definitely hope for a normal life after overcoming this challenge. At the end of last March, I experienced severe chest pains and was taken to A&E, where I was diagnosed with unstable angina. In April, an angiogram revealed a 99% and an 85% blocked artery, and two stents were inserted.

Since then, I’ve made significant progress. I started cardiac rehabilitation at the end of May, and I’ve now lost over 4 stone in weight. I regularly attend exercise classes like boot camp, step, body pump, and spin—4 to 5 times a week—and I walk about 10,000 steps most days.

My cardiologist has even removed my blood pressure medication and now aims to taper me off Bisoprolol. While some days I don’t feel great when I wake up, I’m optimistic that things will improve once I’m off Bisoprolol. The process has been challenging—reducing it too quickly makes me anxious and more aware of my heartbeat—but I’m determined to keep going.

So yes, there is real hope for a normal life,

[LunaHarvey]

hi.

I was diagnosed with unstable angina in June of last year. I had two stents fitted then and a further two in July due to symptoms worsening. Now on meds to keep me going. Yes you feel tired all the time and yes you are breathless a lot of the time. Take things easy is my advice. The trouble with my symptoms with it being unstable was it didn’t matter if I was resting or active I could have an attack. Just keep ringing 999 if after two lots of gtn. Keep pestering if you feel you are getting nowhere. The angiogram is not a problem I’ve had three so far.

I’m not saying this but if you go on holiday somewhere (n the UK )and have an attack the hospital you go to bend over backwards to sort you out so they don’t get sued by your nhs trust.

Good luck and take care of yourself.

[Anothernewbie]

I think you should talk to your GP or better still the cardiologist and ask what happens now. My husband had angina for a couple of years, then it deteriorated to unstable angina. He had an angiogram and this showed he needed a 3 x CABG. After the CABG he lived a completely normal life and died of an unrelated condition at the age of 79.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,I have lived with angina for over 12 years.

The BHF website has some useful information about angina as well as how to use your GTN spray.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I acknowledge your feeling of being left adrift without a proper plan of care.

You have been given some good advice from Lowerfield_no_more

My Cardiologist's instructions to me are that if my episodes of chest pain become more frequent, last longer, more severe and are not relieved by 2 sprays of GTN spray, it's time for me to go to hospital.

The weather is very cold at the moment. It's important to keep warm in the cold weather, as the cold can trigger angina.

I cover my nose and mouth when I go out, hat, gloves and wear lots of warm layers.

[Grannymary]

Many thanks to everyone who replied. I feel a little better about things now. Not alone in a new scary world.I have checked my discharge papers from hospital and note that I am to have an outpatient coronary angiogram and and outpatient cardio clinic follow up. But no dates given. I was told it could be spring but nothing beyond that.

I have contacted my GP surgery and have arranged an appointment for next week to discuss my health and address some of my questions. The doctor I am seeing is their in-house specialist in cardio matters apparently.