Discussion
Had a big scare with the wife yesterday morning.
She woke me up complaining about a massive pain in her chest, left arm pain, about to pass out and really cold and clammy feeling.
Convinced she was having a heart attack I dialled 999 and she was taken to hospital, convinced she was going to die.
After a day of tests it would seem she has angina (she's to go back to the hospital on Monday for further tests).
Is this a major lifestyle changing illness?
What treatments are available to keep any attacks at bay?
She's 42 and doesn't smoke or drink and although adopted at birth, we know that her birth mother had heart problems at about the same age.
She woke me up complaining about a massive pain in her chest, left arm pain, about to pass out and really cold and clammy feeling.
Convinced she was having a heart attack I dialled 999 and she was taken to hospital, convinced she was going to die.
After a day of tests it would seem she has angina (she's to go back to the hospital on Monday for further tests).
Is this a major lifestyle changing illness?
What treatments are available to keep any attacks at bay?
She's 42 and doesn't smoke or drink and although adopted at birth, we know that her birth mother had heart problems at about the same age.
The pain you get with Angina is caused by the blood having difficulty getting through the narrowed arteries of the heart, so they should have given your wife a GTN spray which is a vasodilator and helps to open up the arteries to help blood flow through.
It's advisable to carry it where ever she goes and if she finds she gets pain or breathlessness on doing certain things, ie going up stairs or going for walk, then she should take it before to prevent the pain.
obviously the diet and exercise should be looked at, and unfotunately it can be hereditary. I imagine they will ask her to have more investiagtions and an angiogram to check how narrowed the arteries are.
Best wishes for your wife and good luck on Monday.
It's advisable to carry it where ever she goes and if she finds she gets pain or breathlessness on doing certain things, ie going up stairs or going for walk, then she should take it before to prevent the pain.
obviously the diet and exercise should be looked at, and unfotunately it can be hereditary. I imagine they will ask her to have more investiagtions and an angiogram to check how narrowed the arteries are.
Best wishes for your wife and good luck on Monday.
neelyp said:
What treatments are available to keep any attacks at bay?
She's 42 and doesn't smoke or drink and although adopted at birth, we know that her birth mother had heart problems at about the same age.
Treatment could be medication to start with plus a nitro spray for when she feels an attack coming on. Long term it would be anything from stents to bypass surgery in a worse case scenario, all this depending on what the problem is. Best waiting until she gets the results of the tests before you panic too much, at least she's now in the system and if it's serious she'll be well looked after.She's 42 and doesn't smoke or drink and although adopted at birth, we know that her birth mother had heart problems at about the same age.
Edited by jagracer on Sunday 19th September 10:20
Obviously it is worth completing the tests to be sure but if she has been previously well, fit & active it would be unlikely that angina would present at rest ie be awoken by it. Myocardial infarctions occur at rest due to rupture of atheroma plaques in the coronary arteries but I would guess MI has been excluded by the initial tests (ECG + cardiac enzymes / markers- usually a Troponin). Angina is ischaemia and usually has to be provoked by exertion of some level. I would guess the tests awaited include an Excercise Tolerance Test to assess her hearts response to strain. The differential diagnosis will include simple gastro-oesophageal reflux which feels just as unpleasant and due to the rather impressive vagal response it can invoke people often look like they are going to die. G-O-R usually wakens people as they reflux when lying down and the oesophageal spasm really hurts!
I hope all goes well and if it is an ETT planned that it is reassuring.
Usual caveats of medicine by internet & it is always better to speak to the team when you are there (Cardiac technicians running ETT's can give you a pretty good idea of how it is going/ went and if she lasts 10mins on a full Bruce protocol she's done well!), if it is a Dr you speak to try & find one badged higher than ST3 much below that and they will have limited speciality knowledge.
I hope all goes well and if it is an ETT planned that it is reassuring.
Usual caveats of medicine by internet & it is always better to speak to the team when you are there (Cardiac technicians running ETT's can give you a pretty good idea of how it is going/ went and if she lasts 10mins on a full Bruce protocol she's done well!), if it is a Dr you speak to try & find one badged higher than ST3 much below that and they will have limited speciality knowledge.
This may not relate to you wife at all, your specialist will confirm, but this is what happened to my Dad in the last year.
My Dad started suffering angina symptoms last year. he's 66. He had the tests to confirm which arteries were partially blocked with plaque (he's diabetic which does not help plaque build up) and went to see a specialist. He was told that he had a choice, manage the symptoms with drugs, or run the risk of a "widowmaker" heart attack (where the artery leaving the heart gets blocked, causing the heart to fill and stop very quickly) in about 2-3 years. He opted for surgery ASAP. "Luckily" he lives in west Scotland and as you know this is the unhealthiest country in the world, so we have some of the best bypass surgeons. He had a triple bypass in February, was out of bed 24 hours after the op, moaning like hell that he wanted home 36 hours after the op and allowed home 4 days after the op. No driving for 4-6 weeks, no strenuous activity for 6-8 weeks (cutting the grass, running, DIY etc). He was told to watch the stitches and allow plenty of time for his sternum to knit together. He was in a bit of pain as he healed (and a pain to live with as well at times), but was better than before within 3 months, maybe less.
As I say, this my bear no relation to your wife's condition, but heart bypass surgery (if required) is relatively routine and recovery will be quicker in one so young.
Best of luck.
My Dad started suffering angina symptoms last year. he's 66. He had the tests to confirm which arteries were partially blocked with plaque (he's diabetic which does not help plaque build up) and went to see a specialist. He was told that he had a choice, manage the symptoms with drugs, or run the risk of a "widowmaker" heart attack (where the artery leaving the heart gets blocked, causing the heart to fill and stop very quickly) in about 2-3 years. He opted for surgery ASAP. "Luckily" he lives in west Scotland and as you know this is the unhealthiest country in the world, so we have some of the best bypass surgeons. He had a triple bypass in February, was out of bed 24 hours after the op, moaning like hell that he wanted home 36 hours after the op and allowed home 4 days after the op. No driving for 4-6 weeks, no strenuous activity for 6-8 weeks (cutting the grass, running, DIY etc). He was told to watch the stitches and allow plenty of time for his sternum to knit together. He was in a bit of pain as he healed (and a pain to live with as well at times), but was better than before within 3 months, maybe less.
As I say, this my bear no relation to your wife's condition, but heart bypass surgery (if required) is relatively routine and recovery will be quicker in one so young.
Best of luck.
Edited by douglasr on Sunday 19th September 23:29
JumboBeef said:
Is she overweight?
About 9 stone and 5'2" so I don't think this is above the safe BMI.She had been complaining the previous week about feeling dizzy and light headed and she does tire very easily after completing the daily chores I have set her
She also doesn't know when to sit on her arse.
Found this on Wiki yestreday http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prinzmetal%27s_angina
this seems to be close to the symptoms Mrs P had.
My dad was diagnosed with angina in February/March this year. Unfortunately he didn't get an appointment to see a specialist until June. In the meantime he had a massive heart attack (the paramedic that attended said it probably wasn't his first either). Luckily my mum thought his condition was worse than the doctor believed and was on hand when it happened. The paramedics arrived whilst she was still on the phone to the operator and saved him. He was whisked off to Bristol Royal Infirmary Heart Unit and had bi-pass surgery four days later. I cannot praise the care he received from their doctors and nurses enough. After ten days left the heart ICU and within two weeks was back home. He was annoyed that they wouldn't release him sooner and threatened to get the bus home 
- 40 miles home!
The surgeon told him that his heart was good for anther 25 years. He now looks better than he has for years and is full of energy and zest for life once more. He was chalking the days off until he could get out in the garden to do some work on it. My dad is 84 and is incredibly fit and agile for his age. He is tiny too but had furred up arteries. He's never been able to sit still unless the rugby's on the telly. And he's as stubborn as a mule too so that helped.
His angina came on quite quickly. I had noticed that he was lacking in energy at Christmas and was quite shocked at the decline he suffered when I saw him in March. Neither my mother or I were happy with the doctor's diagnosis or tardiness but my dad was happy to wait. His angina presented itself as shortness of breath after exertion. he did however, by April have shortness of breath getting out of bed in the morning. He had his big attack on 27th April.
So, the fact that your wife has had lots of tests is really positive. I would echo what others have said about bi-pass surgery. It is considered to be routine surgery now.
- 40 miles home! The surgeon told him that his heart was good for anther 25 years. He now looks better than he has for years and is full of energy and zest for life once more. He was chalking the days off until he could get out in the garden to do some work on it. My dad is 84 and is incredibly fit and agile for his age. He is tiny too but had furred up arteries. He's never been able to sit still unless the rugby's on the telly. And he's as stubborn as a mule too so that helped.
His angina came on quite quickly. I had noticed that he was lacking in energy at Christmas and was quite shocked at the decline he suffered when I saw him in March. Neither my mother or I were happy with the doctor's diagnosis or tardiness but my dad was happy to wait. His angina presented itself as shortness of breath after exertion. he did however, by April have shortness of breath getting out of bed in the morning. He had his big attack on 27th April.
So, the fact that your wife has had lots of tests is really positive. I would echo what others have said about bi-pass surgery. It is considered to be routine surgery now.
Edited by EmmaP on Tuesday 21st September 10:49
Found out today my dad has angina and is being tested either today or tomorrow morning.
It does seems to be something that can quite straightforward if dealt with this quickly.
Not sure how I need to feel as its being tested so quickly. Can I take some reassurance that if diagnosed today and being tested so quickly it should be as well as it could be?
It does seems to be something that can quite straightforward if dealt with this quickly.
Not sure how I need to feel as its being tested so quickly. Can I take some reassurance that if diagnosed today and being tested so quickly it should be as well as it could be?
lingus75 said:
Can I take some reassurance that if diagnosed today and being tested so quickly it should be as well as it could be?
I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to offer such comfort to you as the heart is so unpredictable. Angina is just a symptom of a much bigger problem, but on the whole, the fact they are aware of it, should improve his chances with regular monitoring/treatment etc.I'm not medically qualified though…!
neelyp said:
Had a big scare with the wife yesterday morning.
She woke me up complaining about a massive pain in her chest, left arm pain, about to pass out and really cold and clammy feeling.
Convinced she was having a heart attack I dialled 999 and she was taken to hospital, convinced she was going to die.
After a day of tests it would seem she has angina (she's to go back to the hospital on Monday for further tests).
Is this a major lifestyle changing illness?
What treatments are available to keep any attacks at bay?
She's 42 and doesn't smoke or drink and although adopted at birth, we know that her birth mother had heart problems at about the same age.
This certainly sounds like angina but in a woman of 42 with no risk factors, other than the unknown maternal one, would be jolly unusualShe woke me up complaining about a massive pain in her chest, left arm pain, about to pass out and really cold and clammy feeling.
Convinced she was having a heart attack I dialled 999 and she was taken to hospital, convinced she was going to die.
After a day of tests it would seem she has angina (she's to go back to the hospital on Monday for further tests).
Is this a major lifestyle changing illness?
What treatments are available to keep any attacks at bay?
She's 42 and doesn't smoke or drink and although adopted at birth, we know that her birth mother had heart problems at about the same age.
The fact that she was allowed home suggests positive vibes rather than suspicion of an acute cardiac syndrome
Do you know what test is planned for Monday?
If its a gastroscopy versus exercise ECG/cardiac cath that would tell us a lot
Best wishes, must be a tough time for you both
PS im not a real expert by any means
I was diagnosed with angina in June 2004 when I had a stent put in. I was 51 at the time. This scared the life out of me but was my own fault as I lived on a dreadful diet of ready meals and takeaway Indians with minimal exercise.
I immediately changed my diet cutting out red meat and eating plenty of fruit, veg, nuts, oily fish and olive oil etc. I also walk a brisk 5 - 6 miles every day. I used to only walk three miles a day which was boring. I then got myself a dog which makes walking far more enjoyable.
So whilst it's initially quite scary, with a few lifestyle mods you can (hopefully) just carry on with your life.
I immediately changed my diet cutting out red meat and eating plenty of fruit, veg, nuts, oily fish and olive oil etc. I also walk a brisk 5 - 6 miles every day. I used to only walk three miles a day which was boring. I then got myself a dog which makes walking far more enjoyable.
So whilst it's initially quite scary, with a few lifestyle mods you can (hopefully) just carry on with your life.
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