Microvascular Angina under good control?

[Eglatine]

Hello, is there anyone who has MVA that is under good control? And if so, please can you say how long it took to get there and how you achieved it? It would be nice to have a success story to read, although I can imagine that perhaps such people are not so active in this forum.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

It can take some trial and error to find the best combination of medication that will work best for you as an individual.

Another important part of learning to live with microvascular or vasospastic angina is learning your triggers.

There are people on the forum who have found a good balance of medication and lifestyle changes to manage their microvascular angina.

You are probably right, people may be more active on forums and support groups, when they are new to a diagnosis, having challenges then drifting away when they are feeling more settled.

[JaninS]

Yes I would say I am living more comfortably with it now, after 2 or 3 anxious and irritating years. I am now on settled medication know my limits exercise wise and am no longer scared when I do get the chest pain. The basic gtn spray works for me. I use it sparingly, maybe 2 or 3 times a month. I found that accepting my condition and not seeking a "cure" was the important thing. Good luck!

[Eglatine in reply to JaninS]

Thank you Janin! I am so happy to hear that you have been able to find a way to live with it successfully. That’s the outcome we all want or need. I think when you mention acceptance, that must be the key, so thank you.

[1a2b3 in reply to JaninS]

It’s reassuring to read you are managing well . Could you share what tests you had to positively confirm this diagnosis and what medications you take? Do you only use GTN spray? Thank you .

[Angie554]

Hi EglatineExercise! 2 years ago I started on Couch to 5k....best thing I ever did!....use GTN before a run.

Now run 5 or 6 times a week....for 3 or 4k.

I still have MVA but threshold of onset of symptoms has risen considerably

[Eglatine in reply to Angie554]

That is exactly what I want to hear as I used to do Couch to 5k and am very keen to do so again. Currently walking 5k isn’t possible, but I’m hoping once the drugs stabilise it and the weather warms up that I will be able to get back to it. Thank you!

[Angie554 in reply to Eglatine]

It'll be worth it I'm sure

[Poppy451 in reply to Angie554]

Wow thats amazing ! I love swimming but still get chest pain a couple hours after a 20 min gentle swim.

[Angie554 in reply to Poppy451]

Do you relieve the chest pain with GTN?

[Poppy451 in reply to Angie554]

Yes lots! But I still feel bad. Do you use GTN after your run?

[Angie554 in reply to Poppy451]

No....before I start

[Theshed]

Been diagnosed with MVA and coronary heart spasms for some 3 years now following a long period of being told there was nothing wrong with me, once diagnosed my turning point was when a young consultant advised my cardiologist to prescribe Ranolazine and later my cardiologist prescribed Isobidemononitrate. It took this time to find the right balance of medication, trial and error with a lot of ups and downs, but now exactly as JaninS writes “I know my limits exercise wise and am no longer scared when I do get the chest pain. The basic gtn spray works for me. I use it sparingly, maybe 2 or 3 times a month. I found that accepting my condition and not seeking a "cure" was the important thing.” - couldn’t put it better!

My medication for the past eighteen months:

Lansaprazole 15mg once per day

Amlodipine 10mg once per day

Mononitrate 40mg twice per day

Ranolazine 750 mg twice per day

All of this took some time to balance out, but most days are good with episodes appearing every couple of weeks when I have to take my GTN spray and rest for a day or two to get back to ‘normal’.

Stick with it and be positive: life can still be good once the balance is achieved. And I agree this forum is fantastic in keeping one’s mood up there.

Best, etc.

[Eglatine in reply to Theshed]

Thank you so much, that really gives me hope. ❤️