Angina or not

[Hamedk]

Please can one some one explain if angina is always chest pain related. Since my Stents in Sept 2022 I have been having pain both arms neck and shoulders. I went into A&E once only after that and they said it was muscoskeletal pain. All the tests showed no HA. Also at what point do I take GTN spray if there is no chest pain. I am once again in confusion

[Hidden]

hi had two stents inserted last year as well and I found that things were not getting any better for me compared to other people I knew who had them and were golfing and walking all over the place so I went back to my doctor who put me back to my cardiologist for another test and they found I needed a main valve replacement which I had four weeks ago. Just after the stent I started walking more but couldn’t manage hills or incline thus causing me to use the spray under my tongue and again that was what caused me to go back to see the doctor hope this helps somehow

[ChoochSiesta]

My only symptom was breathlessness and tingling in my throat. Even then it only occured at proper exercise levels. Never needed GTN. Doctors still said I needed an urgent bypass.

[XmasEve24]

My angina pain is in my back in between my shoulder blades and can go into my arm, neck and jaw. I was reluctant to use my GTN initially. Then thought what the heck give it a go and my pain went. Give your spray a try if your pain goes it’s angina and you’ll get more confident in having a spray with future episodes. Good luck☺️

[Hamedk in reply to XmasEve24]

Thanks for your response. So the GTN is for pain relief. How often do you take it?

[Heather1957 in reply to Hamedk]

Any pain relief is a response to the opening of the arteries which makes blood flow easier hence relieving the pain.

It is NOT a pain reliever in the correct meaning of the word, but by doing its job the pain usually goes.

My pain when it happens is in my chest, after my bypass and after having 2 stents fitted I had pain in other places including my back but I never felt they were angina pain just paid to do with recovery.

Using the spray in 99% of cases is harmless (apart from allergies) so apart from the risk of a headache is worth trying, I actually don't mind the taste. I have never had to use it for its purpose but I was afraid of using it as I heard some tales about headaches so I tried it and it was fine.

Give it a go, most of us are issued with the spray if we have had angina so we can carry with us in case it comes back.

[XmasEve24]

GTN spray widens the blood vessels (veins and arteries) which increases the blood supply to the heart which gets more oxygen to your heart muscles & reduces pain to the chest. As I said I was nervous about using it initially but once you’ve used it once or twice and your pain goes you become less concerned about using it. If the pain doesn’t go away after using it twice a few minutes apart best call 111 or 999. You should have been given instructions on how to use it. It can leave you with a headache because it widens all your blood vessels including those in your head. Some people with severe angina take it before activity. My angina is unstable and comes on at rest usually when I’m under stress. Hope this is helpful. If you have any concerns speak to the nurses on this site. They are very good. Good luck 😊

[Hamedk in reply to XmasEve24]

Hi again. Sorry to keep pestering. How often do you take GTN?

[Hamedk]

Thank you all for your responses. I shall give it a go

[XmasEve24]

No bother. Sometimes not for months then maybe a few times over a couple of weeks if I’ve had a cluster of angina. Some people take it daily I understand. But your doctor or cardiologist has to recommend that. As I say speak to the nurses on here. They’re very good.