cardiac ischemia

How was cardiac ischemia confirmed in your case, i.e. what type of test(s) confirmed this condition?

I just finished two good doses of fast acting nitro (about 2 hours ago) and I feel much better. Not only has my chest pain decreased, but I feel much better overall. That's what nitroglycerin is supposed to do. My heart is receiving more blood, so it is pumping better and I have more energy. It also may have prevented another heart attack.

Angina, or chest pain due to a lack of blood flow to the heart muscle (cardiac ischemia, which is caused by coronary artery blockages, or coronary artery spasms), is different in many people. It is especially experienced differently in some women, compared to men. Mine is a very dull, burning ache that comes straight from the heart. The pain radiates from my heart and sometimes travels down my left arm. I also feel totally exhausted in the worst of ways. I have heart disease and over did work today in 95 degree temperature. Heart disease patients cannot stand weather extremes and I knew better but...

You need to monitor your BP since you have changed meds. The only reason to NOT take nitro is if you have extremely low BP, which doesn't seem to be your case. Nitro lowers the BP sometimes because it is a vasodilator. It causes your coronary arteries to get bigger (the rest of your arteries too). Always sit down before you take the nitro. If your BP is lowered suddenly, you could faint. It can give you a nasty headache for 5-15 minutes, when we take the small doses at home. Given in an iv at the hospital, it can give you a big headache!

So, you asked when to use it and I say whenever you suspect you need it. Women sometimes become nauseous and have vague pains in their left arm, neck or jaw, I have read. They can also experience angina as some men do. That is pain radiating from the heart. I have also had in in my back, directly behind my heart. This is not unusual, I have read.

It is not far from your heart to your mid chest region, so don't let that confuse you.

Stress will definitely cause angina!!!!! Anger can too. Fear started me off today. My wife was out doing whatever women do(?) today for about 4 hours. I was out back on the deck working (with my back to the door) and she opened the door and startled me. Is she thinking of my life insurance? Lol.

Don't worry about nitro damaging your heart. It won't, but it will save your life :)

Aldo, welcome back my friend...

Oh RJ,  I am so sorry that you are having a rough time and having to go through all this.  It does seem that your spirits are up though and that is good.  I was worried that we lost you..   you hadnt posted in so long.  You are truly knowledgeable on a lot of these procedures and stuff and help so many here your an asset and friend to us.  SO, we miss you when your gone... Little ol me...I'm doing good.  Have been getting out and walking in the mornings which is good for the body and mind..mostly do it for my sanity.  Back in school in a business class.  Only one this semester as I didnt want to overdo.  Pacemaker is clicking right along but my heart is kicking up some A Fib and Arrithrima's from the last integration that I had last week so that is a concern with my cardiologist.  I dont know yet what can be done if anything.  I try not to worry about it too much, just started to take an asprin every morning to prevent blood clots. My thoughts are always with you.

Elisha!!! What did your doctor say about what could be done? You know that those gadgets can be programmed for different modes of operation, right? I forgot what type of pacemaker you have. Is it also a defibrillator? Many patients have the dual pacemaker, or pacemaker with a defibrillator (ICD). I think the defib is mainly to protect against the most dangerous arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia or V-tach. It gives a good shot of electricity to the heart to stop v-tach's (like the defibrillators the EMT's have). I don't know about afib's. Did they have to make an incision for your interrogation?

This past Sunday I saw my wife's first cousin who has had MS for many years. She is around 64, I think. She can barely walk without hanging on to her husband. Her doc wants her in a wheelchair but she will not get one. She constantly passes out. She always says that she is fine...Why am I mentioning this to you? I guess so that you will hound the research community to DO SOMETHING SOON!

I have reumatoid arthritis in my hands and maybe all the way up to both of my shoulders. The doc told me many years ago that I had RA, but it really hasn't bothered me that much until about a month ago. I was checked for the RH factor about 8 years ago, but it wasn't present. The doc told me then that it doesn't always show up. The problem with my arms may be peripheral neuropathy (PN). I have this in my legs and feet. I take neurontin and I think that I need to take much more, or try a new med. I hate to increase the dosage of neurontin to absurd levels like many do. I take way to many heart meds already......

I took Altace (ACE inhibitor) for 3 years and suddenly developed the much notorious adverse affect of a "dry cough" and respiratory distress. I started a new med, an ARB (angiotension receptor blocker) that does the same as an ACE, but in a different way. This med causes edema in the abdomen and face. Really it is all over I guess. Then you have to take a diuretic for the edema.....Drugs....Kinda like women....You can't live with them, but you can't live without them...Ha ha ha. Jussa kidding :)

Your kind words make me feel good, but I think you over-estimate my value here :) There are very few that I can help, but I love trying anyway.

Keep the faith :)

Rj

Elisha, I guess I will go on to the hospital today. I just called my cardio nurse. The chest pain is getting really bad like the times before when I was clogged up :( I am surviving on nitro. I will post again when I get straightened out :)

Rj