Is this Angina? - Angina Message Board

Fanntym · 08-07-2006, 09:10 PM

Hi all

I have DCM and CHF. Lately I have been getting an ache on my left side, sort of at the 5th or 6th rib area, up into my breast and armpit. It seems low for heart pain, and no pain in my middle chest, just in that side rib area, and sometimes in my back left area, just below my shoulder blade. It's in the same area the cardiologist puts his stethoscope when he listens for the S3gallop.

If anyone here does have angina, can you tell me what it feels like and where you feel it?

Now that I have been diagnosed with heart problems, I'm starting to get paranoid about every little thing, and I used to be such a laid back relaxed person ... this stinks.

Thanks
Lynne

started04 · 08-08-2006, 09:42 AM

Hi Lynne,

I had DCM and CHF (defined as an EF less than 30%. Medication has reversed heart remodeling to a normal size and EF is 59% (recent echo). Hasn't meds helped your condition?

Angina is described as pain anywhere from the arm to the jaw and back. Or it may be just chest discomfort. The "pain" usually happens with exertion or emotion stress, and quickly disipates with rest and an emotionless state. This would be stable angina as the pain only happens when there is a demand for more oxygen/blood and the heart's demand is not met.

Unstable angina is pain or discomfort without exertion, etc. Your pain symptoms and locations cannot rule out angina pectoris.

Beefsteak · 08-08-2006, 10:25 AM

Hi, There are several types of angina. The common form is usually felt when the heart is working harder - esp. during strong exercise when more oxygen-rich blood has to be pumped to the muscles. The overall feeling is heaviness across the chest, leading to an uncomfortable pressure sensation. With continuing activity this becomes mild pain then strong pain and a feeling that your chest will explode. This is a danger point where an affected part the heart muscle can fail and a heart attack result.
Often the pain radiates from the chest into the arm, lower chest, neck and back. Importantly, abruptly stopping the exercise leads to a quick recovery. Medications (esp nitrates), taken as patches, tablets, or sprays can rapidly dilate the cardiovascular arteries and also provide quick relief.
Other, more dangerous forms of angina can strike at random times, and sometimes the restricted blood flow around the heart can occur with little or no pain or warning sign, but with the same serious consequences. Quite a high proportion of those suffering heart attacks do so without experiencing angina or any other warning signs.
With your history it's most important to get a careful and thorough diagnosis.

All I can say is that lower levels of angina are not usually that painful but more of a sensation of pressure or tightness.
Hope this helps a bit.

Beefy.

Beefsteak · 08-08-2006, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenkeith

I had DCM and CHF (defined as an EF less than 30%. Medication has reversed heart remodeling to a normal size and EF is 59% (recent echo).

Hi Ken, we seem to have doubled up for Lynne here. Anyway that does not matter.
I was interested to hear about the use of medication to radically improve your heart to normal size, and the vastly improved EF.
Can you describe that in more detail Ken, including the types of medication that achieved this. What you have done is quite an achievement!
Thanks, and Good health to all,
Beefy

Fanntym · 08-08-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenkeith

Hi Lynne,

I had DCM and CHF (defined as an EF less than 30%. Medication has reversed heart remodeling to a normal size and EF is 59% (recent echo). Hasn't meds helped your condition?

That is quite an achievement. I had an EF of 20% and class 3 CHF when I was diagnosed on May 15th of this year. I would also be interested to know what meds you are on. I have been prescribed Coreg, Altace and Asprin for my cardiac problems. I'm also on Insulin and Diamicron for the diabetes. I hope I can recover as well as you have. Congrats.

Lynne