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Suspecting Prizmetal Angina

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danisha70256
danisha70256

21, female.

Complications started when I was diagnosed with Pericarditis months ago. Came with effusion, but it was mild. Had heart attack symptoms. Treatment went well. Fluid is virtually gone.

But I continue to have symptoms. Chest pain, left arm, shoulder, and wrist pain, jaw pain, numb/tingling lips, neck pain, back pain, left face/ear pain, dizziness, and nausea (no vomiting). It seems to happen whenever I move, but it’s generally sporadic.

I also learned that I have MVP and regurgitation (cardio didn’t tell me. I asked for a copy of my last echo results) but both of these conditions are very mild. I was also diagnosed with high blood pressure (currently awaiting appointment with endocrinologist) but my medication (Metoprolol) is doing a great job in managing it. I’ve changed my diet as well. My cardiologist is at a loss here.

I recently went to the ER (for the 100th time these past handful of months). Once again, they found nothing. Standart ER tests were normal. I was not monitored, however.

I’ve had probably 30 EKGs, 10 echos, so much blood drawn that I’m probably anemic by now, dozens of chest x-rays, 3 holter monitors, and a stress-echo all normal. I’m waiting on a CTA in Feburary, but I’m worried about my symptoms and is wondering if I should get this test done asap.

Indeed, I also have a mental health history. GAD and depression. Yet, I’ve never felt this kind of pain, even during my most panicky-est of panic attacks.

I’m wondering if I’m suffering through coronary spasms now. It wouldn’t be impossible, especially considering my stress.

Right now, the left side of my neck/face is in so much pain and my lips are tingling. I think I will head back into the ER. I will try to push for more tests.

Has anyone had coronary spasms? What were your experiences? What is the diagnostic process? Do my experiences sound like Prizmetal’s Angina?

No family history of heart disease/heart attacks/cardiac arrests. Just high blood pressurs, diabetes, and thyroid problems.

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • danisha70256
    danisha70256

    Posted

    I also experience shortness of breath and headaches.
  • samuels
    samuels danisha70256

    Posted

    Hi danisha,

    ?Wouldn't rule out Prinzmetal Angina, although I have never suffered from Pericarditis ?, I have heard like Pulmonary Embolisms, which I have been diagnosed with, symptoms can last for months, sometimes up to a couple of years. A friend of mine suffered from Pericarditis ? and he swore black and blue he was having a heart attack but all the gold standard tests were telling doctors he wasn't, they only just found the Pericarditis ?, he still suffers heart attack symptoms right up until this day and his was well over 12 months ago, they still can't find anything.

    ?I was originally diagnosed with small blood vessels within the heart going into spasms but that changed to a diagnosis of prinzmetal angina, you experience all angina/heart attack symptoms, but the only difference with prinzmetal angina is that it comes on at rest and has a usual time pattern, not always but as a general rule it does, I.E 8pm - 8am, wakes you up from your sleep, comes on watching TV, always at rest. Coronary arteries are usually always in pristine condition. There is several test, depending where you are from, the most common is angiogram with a provocative agent to see if your arteries a prone to spasms, it's not done here where I am, according to my cardiologist it has a high problem/mortality rate. They can also do a quick and easy test although not 100 % sure fire but does indicate to the cardiologist, they call it the cold compress(compressor) test and hyperventilation. I will have to look through all my paper work to find out the actual name of the cold compressor test, as I'm not 100% sure if that's the correct name for it. Prinzmetal angina contrary to what some cardiologists say, spasms do not always show up in and ECG ( EKG )

    ?Triggers for PM angina..... Cold weather, puff of wind to the face, extreme weather as in heat can also set it off, high emotional stress, alcohol and nicotine, there are others and I'm sure other suffers could list the ones I have forgotten smile

    ?

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