Angina???

Posted by Laura on June 19, 1999 at 21:56:40
Dear CC Doctors.  I am a 56 year old female. Yesterday afternoon, I had another attack. This is what I refer to as a cresendo pain in the middle chest/upper abdomen that can spread to the right chest/gallbladder?  area and radiate into the left jaw/throat area. (gallbladder removed 15 yrs ago)
It is not a sharp pain but horrid spasm like that builds up quickly.
These pain attacks can last form 5 minutes to an hour.  
These attacks come out of nowhere.  Three driving the car now, one visitng, and one in the kitchen and one using the computer.  Nothing strenuous provoked these.
I made it home in 5 minutes and laid down and this attack only lasted 15 minutes.  After the pains subsided, I was weak and had hot flashes.
I was very frightened with this one as my family was all out of town and
will not be home until tomorrow night late.
I called St. Luke's ER(Texas Heart) last night where I had had a Thallium Test just 11 months ago, for reassurance, as I was alone.  Could not talk to a nurse so I said lots of prayers and went to sleep  hoping I would wake up this morning.  
I hate these spasms/attacks.  My thallium test, 11 months ago was normal except the BP at the 84% range on the stress thread mill went to 250/60 and the test was stopped.  I had no pain except a bad headache which quickly subsided when I got off the threadmill.  The BP went down immediately to 130/60. I was told that I could have this test repeated in 2-3 years.  
This morning I got into your CC Archives and I think I have seen myself.   I feel I have unstable Angina of some sort.  My father died at 39 of a heart attack.
I am no longer seeing the doctor that ordered this Thallium Test
as I did not want to take a med for cholesterol without first trying to reduce this down myself  via diet and exercise.  He released me.
Question:  I have a GP (suburbs) but he does not go to the large Medical Center Hospitals which I know have the latest equipment. I really do not want to go to a small hospital with one person manning an ER room.  
Am, I safe in assuming that I am one of those classed as Variant Angina (negative Thallium) and having Nitro with me would help quickly if and when these attacks appear again.  I wish I had the attacks that are induced by exercise as I could avoid this.  There is no warning to mine.
Would another Thallium test be too unreasonable to ask for?
Is there any other test that is more senstive to showing a
blockage without having to have an angiogram?
I have had six attacks so far that I am aware of on an average of every 6 months for the past 3 years.  I am 56 years old and a female.  My BP varies at the GP's office from 130/78 to 150/90.  My Cholesterol is in the 213 range LDL 160 and HDL 50.  Triglycerides are always 98.  My Glucose is 90. Recently, my TSH has been going up so the GP has started me on .05 Synthroid and he put me on B12 nasal med.  
He is not aware of me having these attacks (new GP) as they were dismissed after the Thallium and Echo.  I wish I knew then what I have just read
in your archives.  
I would appreciate any comment on this.  Should I be concerned?  Nitro?
Thank You.
Laura


Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on June 20, 1999 at 15:46:55
Dear Laura,
This is not the appropriate forum for you if you are having chest pain.  You need to seek direct medical attention for these attacks.  Do not be falsely reassured by your negative Thallium.  Your symptoms seem to have changed and given that I would seek a full re-evaluation for your symptomatology.  Coronary artery disease is a dynamic process and symptoms can change overnight.
Please see a doctor for your symptoms.
Posted by Laura on June 20, 1999 at 17:44:53
Thank You.  I am petrified of seeing a doctor who does not take
a woman seriously and not be more agressive even though I had a
Negative Thallium per the Neuclear Doctor there, 11 mo. ago.
Do you know of a doctor that is "female friendly" at Texas Heart
Institute or Methodist/Baylor who knows about Angina.
My hubby is home now and has asked me to ask you this question.
He thanks you as I do also.    
Laura
Posted by Laura/Thank You. on June 21, 1999 at 14:06:26
Thank You.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on June 21, 1999 at 18:53:33
Dear Laura,
Please do not deny yourself care because of fear.  I can recommend Dr. Hillis at Texas Heart.  You will be in good hands with any of the other cardiologists there.  I wish you the very best of luck.  
I understand that this whole experience can be very anxiety provoking but you and your family will feel better once these issues are resolved