Questions of Angina after Heart Attack, Answer Please!

[fluffypurrcat]

Hi , I am a 54 year old female who had a heart attack in April, but did not go to the E.R, ( Yes, I know I should of, but I was in Denial and afraid ) My dr. diagnosed that it was a heart attack, and had me take a Stress test and radioactive dye scan with a gamma camera pictures of my heart at rest and after stress, that diagnosed the condition.
I have been referred to a cardiologist and am waiting for an appt.

I have been told that I may have a area of heart tissue that is " stunned." and may not be dead. The question I have is this. For the last month I have been having epsodes of what I guess would be termed Anigina. They are not quite the same as the severe squeezing pressure I had when I had my attack, but pretty close. They are definitly never something I have expereinced before. My dr. prescribed Nitroquick to take if I get this pan in my chest again.( she was concerned about a blood clot bursting before I see the cardiologist and can get more testing, Angiogram, heart catherization or stent. This last week I have been having more epsiodes of this pain. Yesterday I had two separate epsiodes that scared me.

They came on very suddenly. I feel dull squeezing pain, hard to breathe, wave of nausea and my heart starts beating hard and fast.( I have allways had slow heart rate, 40's-50's ) I sat down quickly but went into the other room not wanting my husband to know what was going on.The other strange feeling is a burining type pain in my throat, neck and jaw.( not a sore throat, or indigestion.) I debated whether to take the Nitro or not and thought about calling 911, ( if the Nitro didn't work ) I have been afraid to take the Nitro, but I know that is why I have it. The second episode came on suddenly just like the first one, but lasted longer.

       My question is this: After having a heart attack, is it common for these pains to start, is that how angina starts, or are they warnings of more heart attacks. I know I should take the Nitro, and I will take it today if I get these chest pains again.The other thing Is that I don't have to be doing anything physically exhausting to get these attacks. Yesterday morning I was getting ready to do laundry, so I was in my house, and the second attack was before bed. Allso my blood pressure rises from a reading of 110/64 pulse 52 to a reading of 145/111 pulse 93. ( this is while resting, just normal walking in my house, or sitting down.)

If anyone has any ideas or similiar experiences after a heart attack, or has had these same attacks and has some other information, I would appreciate it. I am allso on Lipitor and Zetia, am Hypothryoid and about 20 pds overweight.Thanks in advance.                                                                fluffypurrcat

[Chatter†Ally]

You are going through exactly what I experienced with my first heart attack. In fact, that is why I am here in the forum today. I had what I beleive was a mild heart attack this morning, and I too refuse to take this on right now. I have a vacation planned next week with all my grown kids. I have 2 flying in from out of town, so you see I can't be bothered with this. With my first herat attack I wasn't sure if that's what it was. I had a stent placed the previous year, but I didn't have a heart attack. I went to the ER because for 3 months I had shortness of breath, chest pains and dizzy spells. I had a 90% block in my RCA.  That wasn't the same way I felt with the heart attack. I was at work on a Friday with the first heart attack. I worked all day with all the heart attack symptoms. Came home did my normal routine over the week end. On Monday I wasn't feeling 100% yet but I did stay all day and worked. I went to the ER that evening and the test showed I had a heart attack. But the blockages were too small for intervention, so I was sent home with meds.  A year later I had another one on my way to work. This time I went directly to the first hospital off the freeway. This time, in addition to the other symptoms, I was trembling all over and had that feeling of doom, so I went directly to the hospital. Same thing. I had a heart attack, but the blockages were too small. More meds. So you see why I am putting it off today. This morning, 2 years later, I had this feeling of doom and I started to tremble and tingle all over when my heart would "flip, flop", but the pains were different. This time it was a sharper pain in the center of my chest that brought on a feeling a terror and tingling. I then got very breathless. And became dizzy and starting sweating. I fought all of this, took a nitro and got better. (My doc says if the pains stop, it's not a heart attack). The symptoms did return after I got to work and again I fought them off and took a nitro. All of this happened between the hours of 5:30 am - 10:30 am. I had been waking up lately with burning chest pains similar to the ones with the heart attacks. I am in the same boat with you. I have gone to the ER so many times with what was considered to be angina. So, now I don't want to go, spend a couple of days and sent home with meds. I am still having svts and feel a symptom or 2 ever so often.
So, in answer to your question, YES you can continue to have the symptoms after your heart attack.
Keep me informed. I know what you are going through.

Ally

[MysteryChemist]

Chatter†Ally,

I think you should go to the ER now!. You sound like you are experiencing the same symptons you had in your previous heart attack. You should not wait because your kids are coming in next week.  Maybe you are having a heart attack, maybe you aren't. You need to sort this out now! If you are having a heart attack, waiting will not help. You kids will understand.

Fluffypurrcat,

Have you discussed your symptons with your cardiologist or Dr?  Perhaps they can work you into schedule earlier. You should keep your Drs informed on your symptons and let them decide. You have to keep the lines of communication open as they are not mind readers.

[fluffypurrcat]

Hi, (sorry I don't know how to make the symbol for the rest of your name. ) I can't believe you are going through the same symtoms as I am! I have never heard anyone say or explain the pain as a deep burning pain in your chest or throat. I cant believe that you are experiencing this though and putting it off because of your children.  I think you should have it checked out, what if it is a Serious heart attack and then your plans with your children will really be put on hold, for a lot longer. Sometimes these little heart attacks can build up to the Big One! I am sure your children would feel the same way. I only wish I had gone to the ER when I had my heart attack or my husband had taken me, but he must have been in denial too. Now he is in fear and keeps telling me I am going to not last.( He somehow thinks that by telling me he thinks I am going to die, that I can ' Cure " myself.)

When you went to the ER and they said your blockages were " too small" what did they do and what meds did they send home with you? It is hard to believe that they would choose to not intervene! It makes me worry that they won't do anything for me unless it is a big heart attack and there is major damage. ( I hate to say this, but I have read that Men in general are given more care when it comes to heart attacks, because doctors tend to think that women are over dramatic and dismiss heart symtoms sometimes. Allso women tend to develop heart disease at a  older age than men, and when they do get heart disease, they are at more risk than men, and are a higher risk when it comes to heart surgery, smaller arteries and more complications.)

Have you ever had one of these attacks while your were sleeping? I had one that woke me up out of my sleep with chest pain, tingling in one arm and hand and sweating and feelings of doom. I had a pounding heart and felt for sure that It was " all over" but I calmed myself down and made myself go back to sleep after a half an hour. I understand the " flip flop ' heart sounds too. It feels like a fish flopping, first it is regular rhythem, then speeds up, flip flops, stops for a second or two, then starts up again skips a beat and then gets back to normal.
        
           Do your children know about your heart attack and syptoms (symptoms) that you have been having? Think of how they would feel if they come for a visit, then while having a great weekend with their mom, she has a heart attack. They are allways going to feel guilty or that they should have been able to do something. Allso, if you are not feeling well all weekend, or are having chest pains, you are going to have a hard time doimg some of the things that you have planned. I know it can be inconvient to have to go to the hospital or to your doctors everytime you have a pain, but the one time you do not, may be the one time you really needed to. That is why the doctors are there. Think of it this way Ally, if it was one of your children having this happen to them while they came to visit you this weekend, what would you tell them to do?

Take care, and thank you for answering my post. At least now, I know I am not the only one who has experienced this,and I am not crazy. What I still am not sure of is this:
Are these what are called Angina attacks? If they are not angina attacks, then what are they?                                                             fluffypurrcat

[fluffypurrcat]

Hi, no I have not discussed this with the cardiologist because I haven't had my first appt yet and that is part of the problem. One cardiologist did not want to even see me, thought I was not " serious " enough, didnt want to waste his time. My dr. insisted that I be seen, and I was very upset, and even crying. I called my dr. to see if  I could get referred to another cardiologist. I didnt see the point in seeing a dr. who had allready made up his mind that I was ok, and wouldn't give me any tests .

My dr. disagreed with this cardiologist and agreed with the dr who gave me the stress tests and the results he came up with showing a Recent MI had taken place She decided to call another Cardiologist and in less than 2 hours another Cardiologist office called and allready had a appt set up for me. I am trying to hold off till I get seen, but I do not really know the protocol for what I am supposed to do in the interim? I guess if the pain gets bad enough or more frequent, it would't hurt to call them. Thanks for the advice. I am so glad this forum is here.                               fluffypurrcat

[MysteryChemist]

I would talk to your dr since s/he appears to be your champion. You need to discuss these symptons with them.  Since you have recently suffered a heart attack, it is only natural to feel nervous and anxious about these symptons. (The nitroquick should help if it is angina.) Some people do have angina after a heart attack. Basically, you need you Drs advice on how to sort out these symptons. (Some types of angina, called stable, are benign and other types of angina are called unstable and many be signs of something more serious)  I am not a dr so I cannot tell which one you have.

You are not bothering your Dr by asking about these symptons;actually they should be please since they show you are involved.  After hearing your symptons, your dr may try to speed up your appt with the cardio or may not. No matter what the answer, at least you won't be "alone".

[fluffypurrcat]

HI, thank you so much for the information. I will see if I can get a hold of my dr. to ask her these questions. Unfortuantly, I go to a clinic that she only works at two days a week, and since it is Friday, I probalby won't be able to get a hold of her till at least Monday, but I can leave a message and mayby she will get it. Thanks for the information. Basically  I just didnt know about if it was common to have Angina after a heart attack, and I have been having more and more attacks, becomming closer and closer together. I appreciate the help. I would not know what to do without this forum, it is a lifesaver.                                                          fluffypurrcat

[shell1925]

I have been your posts and I am really sorry for what you have been going through.  I do believe though, if you are having these symptoms that maybe you should go to the ER, since it is taking awhile for you to get in to see a cardiologist.  I guarantee if you go to the ER you can probably get in with a cardiologist sooner.  I don't know where you are at but I know anytime I am in the ER ALL of my docs make it a priority to follow up with me within 48 hours.  I also believe that if you go to the ER they may do a cardiac cath to see what damage has been done and to see if you do in fact need a stent placed.  I just can't believe that you had a heart attack and it is taking this long to get in to see a cardiologist.  It kind of scares me that they would make you wait this long.  Good luck to you and I have been thinking of you!

Shell

[fluffypurrcat]

Thank you for your comments. I live in a rural small town, and unfortuantly I do not drive and the public transportation does not run at night. My husband works really long late hours, untill 5;00 a.m, at one of the casinos around here, and I just dont know what else to do. I had a scary chest episode last night and it sounds kind of like what someone else on here called Unstable Angina.
       The chest pain comes on very suddenly and with no warning or physical exertion. I had two episodes yesterday and they seem to be getting more frequent . If I have a bad one tonight while my husband is gone and the Nitro does not stop the pain, then I won't wait any longer and I will call the fire department , luckily they are very close by. They are the only good thing out of all of this, they are close by and I dont worry as much knowing they are here.

I don't neccesarrily believe that much in Emergency Room dr.s  Some are really good and others are not. I was pregnant ( 14 weeks along, ) and had been having problems. I walked with my two small children to the hospital emergency room and was looked at by the ER dr. ( I had been bleeding and having cramps, not feeling well) All the dr. did was to run a pregnancy test and came out and said, yes, you are still pregnant and told me to go home and rest. I walked home again, and lie down. Less than 2 hrs later I started hemmoraging and lost the baby. The manager of the hotel where we lived at called the ambulance and I went back to the hospital. All the stupid Dr. said when he saw me was, " Gee, that was fast!"  I allmost bled to death, and lost my baby.
        
              I know not all dr.s are like this, there are some good ones, but I dont want to go unless I have to. If it is a emergency and my heart acts up again, I won't mess around.I just feel like the last year I have fallen apart and with no warning. I am so grateful for this site.I will keep everyone posted as to what happens when I get in and see the cardiologist . I am just keeping my fingers crossed untill then. Thanks for the support and thoughts. I appreciate it.                           fluffypurrcat