Any Angina Experts out there ?

No Expert

by Grateful Heart - 2017-02-24 21:35:50

But I just found out via 3rd party that my carotid is blocked 30%.  I never had any blockages before so this came as a surprise.

Obviously, I don't have an educated answer for you....but an understanding about your concern.  I don't know what the protocol for treating this here in the USA but I guess I will find out eventually.  The message was it's not a big deal and don't worry about it.  So easy when it's not their heart right.

I hope you get some answers.

Grateful Heart     

Angina

by BillH - 2017-02-24 22:34:53

"i)  Stop immediately and write my will ?"

And make me the beneficiary and do before you do ANYTHING else.

Seriously the guidelines are right. A stent does not prolong life.However it is used if the pain is too limiting and medical treatment does not help.

But you should a stress echo. There are several other conditions can cause angina beside a blocked artery.

And possibly a scrib for anti-angina meds.

More tests?

by DampDog - 2017-02-25 05:03:52

It always worries me when consultants start using the word "Probably" as much as we all dislike being prodded or poked it is nice to have a definative answer. It sounds like you may benifit from a MiBi scan it will help identify any ischemic areas in the heart.

Maybe you need a cunning plan and time your run to finish in A&E  'Just in case' :-) Or maybe do it on the treadmill so at least folk will pick u up if you fall!!

It's true for everyone but moreso if you have any cardiac issues. You have to warm up before doing stuff, it makes a huge difference. Especially with you mentioning it's transient.

Good luck with sorting it anyway

Many Thanks for the replies

by IAN MC - 2017-02-25 05:40:47

Grateful Heart :   Sorry to hear about your carotid blockage. I guess , as long as you're not having any symptoms it is no big deal,  but if that changes then I'm sure you will act quickly 

Bill :  I'm out running right now and am having an angina attack . Now about my will, what is your full name and addr ................................... urghhh ......................

I should have mentioned that my cardiologist did put me on anti-angina meds. I am now on nicorandil which apparently dilates my coronary arteries .It also gives me headaches so I am exchanging one pain for a different one . I guess that is progress.

Dampdog :   Interestingly I could run to my local A & E from here . Wouldn't it be ironic if I got run over by an ambulance on the way !

Your advice re warming up first is spot on. It does seem to delay the angina onset and really does make a huge difference. I will look into the pros and cons of having more tests.

Thanks again and best wishes to all of your electrics AND plumbing.

Ian

@IAN MC

by DampDog - 2017-02-25 09:15:01

"Dampdog :   Interestingly I could run to my local A & E from here . Wouldn't it be ironic if I got run over by an ambulance on the way !"

Doubt you'd get run over by an Ambulance with A&E departments as they are at the moment. All the Ambulances will be parked up out back waiting for a space.  :-)

Good luck with it anyway.

my worthless opinion

by Gotrhythm - 2017-02-25 13:32:11

I too deal with angina but being of a feminine persuasion I got it without having any blocked arteries at all. I have microvascular disease. MVD

Ranexa helps, but as you say, I trade heartache for headache. Still, I can exercise with a headache. With chest pain and breathlessnss--not so much.

When it's mild, I am occasionally tempted to push through the pain. But I have discovered that mild pain can quickly turn into bad, scary pain. When I stop and once again am getting plenty of oxygen to my brain, I remember why pushing through is a bad idea. I'm reminded of the old joke: Death is nature's way of telling us to slow down.

So if you decide to go with option iii) you might want to make sure option i) is properly signed and witnessed.

Thanks Gotrhythm

by IAN MC - 2017-02-25 14:08:30

Your comment was certainly not " worthless" . I am on a rapid learning curve as far as angina goes and really appreciated your post.

You mention Ranexa ( ranolazine ) . It seems to be very similar to nicorandil, the anti-angina drug which I take. Both seem to be essentially long-acting angina-preventatives with similar side-effect profiles.

Being an inquisitive sort of chap I am tempted to push through the mild discomfort stage till I hit something more scary. Only then will I know how best to manage this latest challenge.

I was interested that your angina is caused by valvular disease . I wonder if the leakage around the tricuspid valve commonly caused by pacemaker leads can give angina-like symptoms ... another question for my cardiologist !!   (  he hides when I go to see him )

Thanks again

Ian

Not valves, blood vessels

by Gotrhythm - 2017-02-25 16:03:54

Microvascular disease is narrowing of the itty-bitty, teeny-tiny blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the muscle of the heart. It's really the same thing as coronary artery disease--only it's not arteries, it's arterioles and capillaries.

I have mild mitral valve prolapse, but I've probably had it all my life.

I understand about being curious to find out "What would happen if..." How do you think I know how it feels to try to push through?

Apologies Gotrhythm

by IAN MC - 2017-02-25 16:13:56

I must start reading things more carefully. I know there is Mitral Valve Disease and I assumed that is what your MVD referred to.  

Ian

Angina

by Cabg Patch - 2017-02-25 20:30:52

Okay Ian, so I'm guessing you at least know that's not a part of the female anatomy.

So what to do...you really aren't going to be needing those golf clubs anymore, pass them my way would yah?

You have stable angina if it only manifests with exertion. Or as I like to think of it, a heart fart. Ultimately what's it matter the root cause, they can't fix it. You just want to reduce/eliminate the pain and ensure it ain't the big one.

 First try some long acting remedies for Gerd, it can feel exactly like Angina. Second, My suggestion is to ask your doc for Ranexa and nitro tablets. I took Ranexa for years 1000mg 2x daily and nitro as needed. Worked miracles. Since I'm paced in both vent 100% the problem disappeared. 

Good luck and i'll let you know where to ship the clubs.

Patch

by IAN MC - 2017-02-26 07:32:10

I must say when the cardiologist told me I had a cute angina I thought what a nice compliment  so soon after my sex-change operation.

I am pretty sure it's not GERD but I do appreciate that the symptoms can be similar,  My cardiologist prefers Nicorandil to Ranexa . Apparently it has fewer drug interactions ( and the Nicorandil rep bought him a much better lunch ) . So far so good !

You are more than welcome to have my golf clubs ; I think all 14 clubs are faulty.

Thanks also, IRON WILL for your comment. I have a nitro spray but so far have avoided using it.

Ian

Angina and a question for Ian on a much earlier topic

by belsheart - 2017-03-01 03:18:05

Ian, I have angina due to microvascular disease.  THere is now a test done in the cath lab that gives a definitive diagnosis on this...basically dyes are used to flood the many tiny veins in the heart (that can be simply too small by nature, occluded due to plaque or that may spasm under stress).  The test is done in only a very few places, one being at Emory Hospital in Atlanta Georgia with Dr. Samady being the lead investigator.  I can give you his contact info if you like.  He might well know of someone near you who is investigating this.  I also wanted to tell you of a facebook group:  Coronary Micro-vascular Disease-Non-Obstructive CAD.  Plenty of support for you there and lots of info.  As for angina, I feel it upon exertion as chest tightness and terrible pain in my shoulders...between shoulder blades and in arm pain/weakness.  

I recently got a new pacemaker/defibrillator that is an accelerometer only...now minute ventilation.  In a much earlier post, you mentioned that "vigorous" tapping on the pacemaker can help increase the heart rate.  Ineed to try this for things like going up hills.  But how vigorously do you tap???  How hard do you tap?    I need help with this!  Apparently I don't have the minute ventilation due to my device (the dynagen) being MRI friendly and I needed this one for the heart failure suite of sensors.

Advice for tapping?