Newly diagnosed with variant/vasospastic angina (coronary artery spasm) and worried about the future

[Cartons]

Hi. Im 46 and had a cardiac arrest at home on 25 Jan 2021 - was in hospital for over 3 weeks but thankfully, I have recovered fully now. About 10 days after that event and after lots of tests, the consultants eventually diagnosed variant/vasospastic angina (coronary artery spasm), having seen it on ECG. They started me on medication (calcium channel blockers, statins, nitrates, aspirin etc.), did 1 stent at the site where most of the spasms were occurring and implanted an s-ICD defib on 16 Feb. So far, I have had no further symptoms. Looking at this site, I see that many people suffer with regular and severe symptoms and I worry that is my future - my question is perhaps a hopelessly optimistic one - does variant angina ever go away or is it possible to get it completely under control and eliminate symptoms?

[ling]

You may want to post your message at the British Heart Foundation forum as well. There are lots more members registered there, and quite a lot of posts on vasospastic angina

healthunlocked.com/bhf

Best wishes.

[Cartons in reply to ling]

Thanks ling - will do.

[Philipma]

Hi, I had a three weeks stint in and out of 3 hospitals until I got a diagnosis of coronary artery spasms. That was over two years ago. With medication my symptoms are much reduced, am working and leading a happy life. My triggers are cold temperatures and stress so I manage these and the spasms with the nitro spray(now very infrequently). So much so I asked my doctor if I could ever come off or reduce my meds who said no as not having them would put my life at risk. My experience leaves me optimistic for the future and thankful for modern healthcare. I hope this helps.🙂

[Cartons in reply to Philipma]

Thank you Philipma. I am on long acting nitrates as part of my daily meds but I dont even have a nitro spray - have a follow up appointment with my cardiologist in 3 weeks so will ask about that then. My cardiologist said that in his experience, the spasms often go away in time and that we could look at coming off the meds if I was still symptom free in a year or so - that doesnt seem to tie in with other peoples experience though so not sure what to think! Glad to hear you are working and enjoying life!

[Jongemini]

When did your variant angina occur and was it detectable from an ecg even if you did not have a spasm during the ecg?

[Cartons in reply to Jongemini]

Hi Jongemini. Mine was actually seen during an ecg when I was in hospital after a cardiac arrest. I believe one of the difficulties with this condition is that it doesnt leave any trace so its very hard to diagnose through most testing unless it actually occurs during the test. I believe that there is some provocative testing that can be done during an angiogram to confirm the diagnosis.

[Jongemini]

Thank you for this. I will ask my cardiologist to put me forward for the diagnostic angiogram. Much appreciated.