I might have angina

[Whatwouldnanado]

Completely unexpectedly I have been urgently referred to cardiologist today. I'm 56, with a healthy lifestyle but symptoms of tiredness, breathlessness, brain fog etc. It's been going on for a number of years but came to a head after I went to the GP for results of a chest xray and ECG. Also blood tests to see if I still need the B12 injections I've had every other month for years prescribed by another doctor. I'd put the symptoms down to menopause and not having the B12.
Now I want to be as proactive as I can to minimise this. If you have angina what's your best advice? (Trying to keep calm and practical!)

If you’re not already on it try and start HRT as the oestrogen helps to protect your heart (and bones as well).

The above used to be though true but no longer holds

Thank you should add I'm not overweight 5'2, 8 stone) non smoker and rarely drink alcohol. I enjoy walking, bit of yoga.

Eh? Can you provide evidence for this?

I’ve seen two different menopause specialists recently - one at Newson health and one on the nhs and both advised me to take HRT because of the benefits to my bones, heart and the reduction in the risk of bowel cancer (family history). I have multiple autoimmune issues and am in early menopause and all the evidence suggests they are correct.

I can't help but I'm curious what advice OP gets. Online suggests aspirin & statins as well as general healthy lifestyle.

Just spoken to DH. He says that on balance from a cardiology point of view it probably has a negative effect in that it increases thromboembolic events such as strokes and MI HOWEVER it has undoubted positive lifestyle effects so it is for the patient to decide.
This does not mean that you take it FOR your heart,
He is a (well known) professor of cardiology.
I do not take HRT

Thinking about this a bit more:
i think about 25 years ago it was though that as cardiac events increase post menopause that oestrogen has a protective effect.
Later the results of the American long term study looking at the health of nurses showed that those on HRT has more cardiac problems.
More recently a more balanced approach has factored in lifestyle benefits.

The issue of HRT isn't relevant to my situation. I have registered with the British Heart Foundation for information and after reading realise I probably need to reduce my salt and saturated fat intake.
If you have angina or similar what lifestyle changes made the most difference, and do you have any other advice?

what lifestyle changes made the most difference

I imagine problem is that most the scientific evidence is based on people who started with an unhealthy lifestyle. And most the replies will be from people who could implement many changes to an unhealthy lifestyle. OP doesn't have an unhealthy lifestyle. If you can't stop smoking, can't lose weight, can't reduce or stop drinking, can't reduce your stress levels, can't improve your exercise regime (because these are already healthy in your life already), then only pretty small differences are left to achieve from the remaining lifestyle factors.

Cut salt & saturated fat, I guess. Not much else left.

Doesn't sound like the angina is confirmed, maybe it's pericarditis or something else more temporary. X fingers.

Have you had any chest pain? Surely you would have that if you had angina?

@Whatwouldnanado I know thread is a year old but am now in a similar situation and wondering what the outcome was for you op

I had comprehensive tests and everything was clear thank goodness. Can only think it was anxiety, all happened at a very difficult time with my elderly father. Good luck to you.

I was coming on to say the same happened to me. Chest pain, followed by a load of tests, turns out it was all fine!

@Whatwouldnanado Thanks op for coming back to the thread glad everything worked out for you
Very worrying time I have to have stress tests in a month or two..keep googling and scaring myself silly

@pippapipps I was having mild chest discomfort and like OP led a relatively healthy life, lots of exercise, never smoked, normal BMI. Had loads of tests like treadmill and CT coronary angiogram which came back normal. My cardiologist who ironically was a female and really should have known better, essentially fobbed me off for several years. It’s perimenopause, it’s menopause, anxiety, stress, low ferritin. So infuriating because she saw a slim healthy woman in front of her who did not fit the normal picture and wouldn’t listen to me.
Thing is I’m also a health professional and had read a fair bit about angina in women. 50% of us have chest pain symptoms and absolutely normal test results. Many are reassured that everything is fine but some of us have small vessel disease (MVA for example) which is not picked up by conventional CT scans. Not trying to scare you at all but just advising not to be fobbed off if everything is ok and you are still symptomatic and your quality of life has declined. Like I say this went on for a few years, really had to push for medication. Eventually she relented and gave me a test dose of an anti angina drug which for the most part helped a lot.
I think for most women chest pain/discomfort isn’t cardiac related but for some it definitely is !

My grandmother developed angina in her 50s and lived well into her 90s. I hope that reassures you.

Just seen your update. Good news!