20th October I started to feel unwell after a week of stresses. Then the day after thought I had a bit of a bug from my granddaughter. By the next day I felt I had indigestion that seemed to come on as soon as I began to eat? Monday to wednesday bouts of pain in chest through to the back, neck, jaw and teeth. Must be stress related. As my husband expressed concern I went to gp. She prescribed Lansoprazole. I was already taking Atorvastatin since February. But she then phoned me to send me to A&E. Bloods, ecg, x-ray all normal. Blood pressure high. Both parents and two siblings had/ have heart desease and heart attacks and angina and bi pass surgery in their 40's and 50's. Home I went. Same thing happened again a week later. This time I thought it may be a bug from another granddaughter. All tests fine. Blood pressure up. As I'd mentioned the possiblity of the two bugs and during my examination there was some sensitivity around left breast, the A&E doctor thought there may be some costochondritis or gastric issues. He prescribed a very strong anti inflammatory, which I had for a back problem last year. They are nasty but when in severe constant pain you take them. As I am not in constant pain. I decided not to take them this time. Phone consultation with cardio specialist nurse put me on wait list for angiogram and to be treated for angina as I was now experiencing some chest/ back pain when out with my dog. Not all the time. Just a couple of ocassions. Before the script got to me ( 2wks) They prescribed a gtn spray and Amlodipine. Blood pressure initially went into my boots but settled. I was back in A&E same symptoms same results. A week or two later and really thought I was having a heart attack on my own in a carpark. Symptoms were worse, maybe because I had carried on driving for 5-10mins to find a safe place to take spray. I sweated and felt breathless. Pressure in my left arm( over many years I have had this in the arm when stressed) After taking spray I thought I would pass-out and felt nauseaand panic. I hadn't had this severe reaction to the spray on any other occasions? My husband had to come for me. He said all colour had drained from me. We went to A& E as this was very different. All results the same. Since then I'm regularly having these episodes though not as severe as the one in the carpark. Usually for 2 or 3 days then nothing for a week. Cardiac nurse wants me to be reviewed by gp( tomorrow) for a tablet as I am using spray so much. I have angiogram 10th January.The reason I'm posting is that I've now got new symptoms. After doing a bit of light housework I'm breathless and ankles are swelling a bit and shaky. The discomfort in my arm is all day long. But this is just yesterday and today. I wonder if its caused by alcohol? We had a family gathering to celebrate the New Year and my husband and myself have our birthday on NYD too. On the eve unbeknown to me my lovely daughter in law had been topping my glass up over the course of the evening. We do tend to go a bit mad on ocassions but since this whole thing started I have only had the odd one for the Xmas season.
I hope all my rambling make sense to you. Yes I know I am seeing my gp tomorrow but the experiences of others on here is so valuable to me. Last time I saw the gp they said not to drive and don't go for walks on my own! I also think thst not knowing is crushing. If it was acid I could push myself more but I feel like a ticking time bomb at present. My last visit to A&E and the doctors parting words were 'its not your heart yet' I really don't think the last word was helpful!
Thank you in advanceLynne
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I am sure others will come along that will know maybe more or relate to you and what you are going through
As I read your post I thought well those are symptoms when I had my heart attack then I would read on and you had tests saying it was not that and clearly something is not as it should be and it really needs to be getting to the bottom of what is going of and as for the Doctor that when you were leaving the Hospital who said it is not a heart attack yet I would have asked him what he meant by that to me that was totally unprofessional and uncalled for it would have really upset me
I am glad you have a doctors appointment and an angiogram booked in very soon hopefully that will shed some light on things
I hope others will reply when they see your post and let us know how you get on x
Hi BeKind28 - just wanted to say I do not contribute a lot on this forum due to lack of knowledge/ experience & confidence. However, I do have coronary heart disease so I do follow the questions and replies.To get to the point - I just want you to know how much I admire the responses you give, how they are so clearly articulated, but with compassion, empathy & 'kindness'.
To be honest I am a bit lost for words as I lack confidence , I would not say I have any knowledge as such even though I think I could say I have had my fair share of experiences with one thing and another in life
I do not think anyone has ever said I am articulate before but I do have compassion as everything I have been through in life and still going through I know how much it means to know someone cares and will listen
I am sat here with this virus whatever it is feeling so ill and I do not think you will realise seeing your reply especially as I am so anxious feeling ill has meant to me and I cannot thank you enough
I am sorry you have a coronary heart desease and wished we knew more how it affected you and if we could answer anything you struggle with and I have no confidence at all but I just speak and sorry for the pun but from the heart
I am sure you would have so much to offer and I hope you will find the confidence to come and talk a little more with us as I would always reply
We do not have to be full of knowledge sharing how we feel , how we are coping , reassuring others can mean and help so much
I so hope the antibiotics kick in soon! I am doing OK. Must admit though after my experiences in June, I have 'slowed down' if that makes sense, in terms of what I want to achieve and what I actually do! But then I must remember that I am 'no spring chicken' anymore either! Take care x
Thank you for sharing , it is not good at all what your are going through and I'm glad you are getting an angiogram very soon, as this will be so important especially regarding your family history and the symptoms you are getting which all sound very heart / circulatory to me.
Heart issues present themselves so differently to individuals. This notion of you must have crushing pain is misleading .
When I was having my heart attack the doctors asked have you got a crushing pain and I said no just a dull pain, no arm pain, feel nausea and out of breath. You are doing the right thing by going to A&E when you feel any of the symptoms you are getting.
Your ecg and blood tests were fine but the blood pressure was high enough for them to give medicine and GTN spray.
I'm no medical expert and have to assume that these two tests when you were presenting the symptoms would have picked up any heart issues, I have to assume that these medical tests are robust and work as intended.
GTN spray does cause then blood pressure to drop, cause nausea. My blood pressure dropped a lot yesterday and I happened to be in the presence of two cardio rehab nurses and they told me all the colour from my face had drained away, which they said does happen.
If your symptoms appear do not hesitate to call for medical help, we all have this notion of not wanting to be a burden to the NHS but that's what it's there for, so please pick up the phone and call for medical help no matter what.
Hopefully you will get some answers after the angiogram so let us know
Hi there - sounds like my experience a few years ago - consider Microvascular angina - ask for a stress test - the angiogram may help but my LAD was only 40% blocked on that occasion. Which explained ecg and blood being ok. Anti inflammatory pills not good for this condition. Just my experiences but so similar to you . My experience showed me the importance of not giving up, this is important and could be serious
Thank you for your reply. I have read a little about your condition and think this may not show up on the angiogram? Yes I will bear in mind to ask for the stress test too. HlIf you dont mind me.asking? How were you treated once you had been given the diagnosis ? I hope you feel better now . Lynne x
Hi yes I have meds now, Diltiazem and Ranexa plus daily baby aspirin and GTNspray for when I need it. I also have mild Mitral Valve regurgitation so some of these meds are for that. I find the cold and over doing things give me angina pain. It comes at rest though which is classic MVA The angiogram will help to check on blockages of your heart which is important to know. My stress test was done with chemical induced heart rate speed not a tread mill - this set off my MVA could see my heart “quivering / pulsing oddly “ very clearly ! The meds keep it at bay but doesn’t cure it. Carried heavy shopping back to the car in the snow a couple of weeks ago - bang later that night had an attack. But if you feel it’s bad and two puffs of GTN don’t settle it I was told go to A n E . Happened ince snd tropins raised in for four days getting meds right.
Crikey such a worry.This is all so helpful to me too. I more often get it at rest but it is very interesting that you say it came on later after you had perhaps over done it. I had been wondering about that too. I have been a little frightened in case they suggested a medically induced stress test. As I would think everything would be out of your control? But there would be no physical reason why I couldn't complete a stress test on a treadmill. I have been told I can take 2 puffs time 3 then a&e. My sister worked as a cardio nurse for many years in Broadgreen Liverpool, then Addenbrookes Cambridge, then on to Papworth. But that was.some time ago. She has said you can't overdose on gtn spray so take it whenever you are.going.to do something that may bring it on or if you get any twinges! She is much more matter of fact than I lol.
I do hope you stay well and thank you so much for chatting to me. It is so helpful to me.x
Thank you for that information it will help me a lot I’m always a bit cautious using GTN spray but now I’ll use it more- I get twinges and breathless walking in the cold I’ll try the spray first now. Your sister sounds like a good nurse the best ones are matter of fact not dismissive like most I come across when I try to explain condition.
Milk fairy is our go too on this she has oodles of experience and knowledge sadly for her she’s had to mostly go it alone to get the knowledge but I am most grateful for her wise words.
Microvascular dysfunction which causes microvascular angina can be detected by an angiogram when the way the blood flows through small blood vessels is assessed.
It is thought that microvascular angina is caused by the inability of the small blood vessels of the heart not working properly. Either not dilatating or staying dilated in response to exercise.
Microvascular angina tends to lead to chest pain and breathlessness on exertion.
The BHF has this information about microvascular angina.
Perhaps ask before you have your angiogram whether the function of your coronary blood vessels will be carried out?
Will they test for microvascular dysfunction?
Microvascular angina along with vasospastic angina are becoming much better recognised, they are types of ischaemia/ angina non obstructive coronary arteries INOCA / ANOCA.
The treatment is by medication. It can take sometime to find the best combination of medication that will help you best as an individual.
You may find this website helpful. It was created by four patients with over 60 yeears combined experience of living with microvascular and vasospastic angina. They are supported by 30 world expert Cardiologists.
Thank you for your response. This information is very useful to me. I will try to be organised and have questions written down when I go for the angiogram. When I went for my gp appointment today it was a little disappointing. The gp was not to be. There instead was a very nice, though probably overworked, health care worker who had no clue what I was there for! I explained that maybe I had been summoned in response to a letter from a cardiac nurse advising I should have a tablet to reduce or iradicate the need for gtn spray but that I should be reviewed first. She gave me the ososorbibe mononitrate script saying 'so is this want you want?' I expressed my concerns that perhaps I should wait for the outcome of the angiogram? She just said ' oh you'll be ok.' So off I went for the script. Having considered it further and realising that I have to take it in a half dose to see if I tolerate it, I've decided to put it on hold until I have the angiogram next week.
I will also look at the website that you mentioned too.
I hope that you are keeping well and that your health issues are under control.
Best to go to A&E each time it happens as you have been doing. Sounds like it may be build up to a possible heart attack. Sure the angiogram and blood test for troponin levels will reveal more 😊
I have been having a lot of these problems for nearly a year now , I’ve had every test there is apart from the stress test which I’m waiting on .I ve had angiogram s twice ,ct , mri,I’ve had an lri fitted god you name it I’ve had it lol .I’m still suffering but my cardiologist said it’s not my heart causing all the severe neck ,chest,back and the pain down my left arm .Ihad a ha and 2 stents 2 years 8 months ago I guess I’m just going to have to live with it hope they find what’s causing yours all the best
It took me a while to get my diagnosis. I had Cardiologists telling me I couldn't possibly have had a heart attack or angina because my coronary arteries are unobstructed.
I had a specialised angiogram which showed that my coronary arteries go into transient constrictions, leading to a lack of blood supply to my heart, vasospastic angina.
Has your Cardiologist considered that coronary vasospasms are causing your symptoms?
This is very worrying to hear this. I certainly don't have your knowledge or ability to really understand all this. I haven't seen a cardiologist. I have presented at A& E four times. The first appeared to trigger a telephone consultation with a cardiac.nurse who put me on the list for the angiogram. The gp had made a referral for rapic access chest pain clinic. But from my access to NHS app I could see it was sent to the wrong Borough and was sent back. Two more referrals appeared and when Ibwas offered an appointment my gp said I should take it. This was despite my saying I was on a wait list for angiogram. Anyhow, took the aappointment, but they refused to investigate because......you guessed it! I'm already on a wait list. But it was thus cardiac nurse who said I may benefit from isosorbibe mlnonitrate. So, I haven't seen a cardiologist, as yet.
I am sorry that you are in this situation. I am still here after over 11 years of living with vasospastic angina.
I was admitted at first with a suspected heart attack, I had ECG changes, a small rise in my troponin blood levels and all the symptoms of a heart attack.
My angiogram showed I had no blockages in my coronary arteries. So I was told it wasn't my heart and perhaps it was in my head!
I kept having my symptoms and I started researching.
I armed myself with knowledge and was very persistent. I sought out Cardiologists to help me.
I am unfortunately in hospital once or twice a year. However, I have a fantastic Cardiologist and the nurses on the Cardiology ward are very supportive.
I learned that women get a raw deal as heart patients.
Many healthcare professionals don't know about vasospastic and microvascular angina.
Most of all I learned to trust my body.
Be prepared to be persistent, ask the healthcare professionals you meet whether they understand women's heart disease.
Crikey, I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering like this. It must be very worrying and frustrating for you too. I hope they get to the bottom of it for you. Have you had a look at the links that Milkfairy has included in the reply? Maybe useful to you too x
A little update:I had my CT Angiogram this morning. Had the eta blocker to reduce the heart rate. No results for a few weeks. Apparently the referee was a cardiologist in the hospital and that's who the results will go to. More waiting. But I must learn to be patient. Blood pressure dropped alot after the scan and there was something with my pulse. So they were reluctant to let me go until they observed that I was walking around quite fine.
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