Microvascular Angina
Original post published 30th August 2021
This was one of the first pieces of information that I came across whilst trying to find out what was wrong with me - in addition to my SCAD heart attacks.
“The condition is most common in women at the time of menopause, which generally happens between the ages of 45-55 years”
I had been given a GTN spray during my 3rd admittance to hospital, which is to relieve the symptoms of angina, but no-one in hospital had suggested that I had angina. Hence the googling.
And, on using the spray when I had my ‘weird, heat, breathing’ thing, without any ‘big-bang’ chest pains it worked!
So I surmised:
if a medication which is for the relief of symptoms caused by a condition works, then I must have that condition.
Yes?
No?
At tht point in my journey, (Summer 2021) who cares - it works for me.
However, as time passed, it became imperative for me to get a diagnosis. (More on the whys and wherefores of that later)
3 years later and now desperate for help from cardiology, I prepared for an appt with a cardiologist at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Sadly, he dismissed my suggestions/questions and told me to go away and eat beetroot - with no input on amounts or frequency.
So, I dug deep into my pockets (again) and paid to see a Professor Colin Berry in Glasgow via a private appt. He completely agreed with me.
It has taken me 3 years from the date of being given the GTN spray, to finally receive a diagnosis of microvascular angina.
NB. My diagnosis is ‘probable’ microvascular angina. To receive a definitive diagnosis we would need to do the testing which would cost me more money.
As I am a self-paying patient, Berry and I agreed that, if the medication he gave me worked, we would go on the theory that yes, I do have M.A.
The medication works. Halleyluyah.
My top tip for being heard in your medical appointment?
Take a copy of the British Heart Foundation information to your medical appointment.
The most recent booklet - updated 2024 - can be found here - https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/angina#Heading4
And, sometimes, no matter how well you prepare for an appointment, it just won’t work. So after giving yourself some time to recover from not being heard - seek a second opinion.