Angina

[asc]

I am 61 and have a number of risk factors for coronary artery disease - family history, hypertension raised cholesterol, mildly raised glucose, overweight. Last year I developed chest pain on exertion, although when my BP was controlled, this stopped. In April I had a thallium scan, which showed no significant ischaemia. However, the problems have now returned with typical angina symptoms.

The pain is central chest pressure, often radiating into my neck/jaw, brought on by exertion and clearing with rest or GTN. It is usually not severe, but about 4 weeks ago I had one severe attack which lasted for 25 minutes when I ran for a bus. This last week I had two prolonged bouts when I was under work stress. This morning, although not unduly stressed emotionally, I was very cold and again had mild, prolonged symptoms.

I am awainting an appointment with a cardiologist (National Health Service) with a view to an angiogram.

Do you think this is unstable angina, and should I be worried? One GP thinks it cannot be cardiac because of the negative test result, the other thinks is almost certainly is, in spite of it! All I know is that it matches the description.

[UroDoc]

If you are currently having symptoms then you should go to an emergency room and be evaluated. Better to be safe than sorry since you do have symptoms of ischemia.

[ehbland]

Hey, I hope you had a cath to be checked out. I had similiar symptoms and discovered I had 95% blockage. My GP was incorrect also. I had quad bypass and doing fine now. Good luck.

[Linda Gadz]

It could be coronary spasms, also called "variant angina" which I have been diagnosed with ..due to the cold air. I'm now on norvasc, a blood pressure med, although I don't have high blood pressure, for its vasodilatation affects.

[jcmsvd]

Hi,
I hope everything will be ok. I had a stress thallium back in 1993 failed that test at the ripe age of 40. Was sent to angio cath lab everything was clear, no sign of CAD, false thallium test.
In July 2006 completed stress echo and passed it, meps 13. I had repeatedly asked my DR to do a CRP test, which DR refused, because she did not believe I had CAD. This test could have show imflamation and possible CAD which should have been a good indicator. Since that date I have just not felt right ( I have been diagnosed with Fibromialgia and gerd back in 2005). I hurt all over all the time. In November 2007 I was digging in the yard ( alot of digging 3 hours) I would estimate my heart rate was 150bpm minimum, no pain or discomfort. 2 weeks later I found myself at the hospital at least 4 times in the middle of the night complaining of how bad I felt. I only had a pain I had was when I was yelling at the dog. The pain was under my jaw in the soft tissue, no shortness of breath, or chest pain. Again I have bad upper chest soreness and upper back pain, which again they contributed to Fibromyalgia. I had a thread mill could only stay on the test for less then 5 minutes due to upper back pain. I had requested them to use 64 ct slice and low and behold 99% blockage in my LAD.
I guess what I am trying to get across, sometimes the best medical tools do not work. I think all Dr's are trying to offer all of us the best options, that minimize our risks. Please listen to your body and make your DR listen to you. If you have other health issue's becareful they can mask CAD. I run 3 to 5 miles from 1990 to 2003 ( shouldent have stopped). I am sold on this 64 ct slice scan.
Take care and I hope evrything will be ok.