unstable angina

Thank you once again to all the lovely people who have responded to me. DS is sill awaiting hospital appointment which is making me nervous as I would like him to be seen asap, but he is OK at the moment, eating healthily and given up booze which I suspect hasn't helped his condition. He also has a GTN spray given by his GP , so all we can do is wait.

My son was diagnosed three years ago with unstable angina at 42 he was originally given a angiogram and the dye put in. They thought he might need a stent but in the end didn’t. He now has a spray to use whenever he feels an attack coming in and deals with this very well. He is careful what he eats but is still a bit overweight. Cuts down in salt and alcohol. Lives a normal life but I understand your anxiety I was past myself driving up to the hospital as he was on holiday when this first happened and we were told he’d had a suspected heart attack. They will look after him.

It usually means that a coronary artery is critically narrowed. With prompt treatment prognosis is good, most recover well. He might probably need an angiogram, followed by fitting a stent or possibly a coronary bypass.

The important thing is to push for treatment as soon as possible with the condition controlled by drugs in the meantime eg blood thinners/GTN/statins as prescribed.

I’m sure he will be fine, but what a worry for you at the moment.

about 30 years ago I was having chest pain,when I was doing nothing, sitting reading or watching telly, gp sent me for the treadmill excercise, and I managed that without a twinge, then it was discovered that I was having spasms of the arteries which was causing the pain, I got a spray for under my tongue and mononitrate tablets.I don't need the spray now ,haven't used it for years. the tablets relax the arteries. hopefully you son might be given this treatment, hope he doesn't need anything invasive, good luck.

It’s a fairly common condition, though I appreciate you’re anxious and don’t want to just brush that off.

They’ll investigate whether he needs some minor surgery like a stent to widen the artery or whether less invasive measures are sufficient. Often a spray is prescribed to use when the pain comes on, especially if its not that often.

And advice on lifestyle changes like giving up smoking, taking exercise, losing weight and eating smaller meals. Big stomach-filling meals can bring on the pain!

I think you can feel reassured that he’ll now get the treatment he needs.

There is a recent thread on this topic. You might find some reasurrance there- just do a search.

I have no experience of this but am sending hugs 🤗 and hoping your son’s condition can improve with the appropriate management.